Finally off my ATD's - remission?

[Guest guest]

After 5 years of PTU my endo gave me the OK to stop taking it. I had

cut down to 25mg/day, I was cutting my pill and only taking 1/2 every

morning.

So, if my test results are in the normal range, does that mean I'm in

remission or is remission only achieved when fully off meds? My last

results from March were:

T3 301 (225-370)

T4 1.2 (0.8-1.4)

TSH 1.073 (0.3-4.0)

TSI 91 Ref range: <125

I'll be tested again the end of June to see how things are. I really

don't feel any different, I think I'll always be a worry-wart nervous

type of person. I'm thinking that's more related to my personality

than to Graves.

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Your post reminds me of the first time that my numbers went into

normal range, it was such a relief. I still had to work with

fluctuating levels for a few months, but after that my numbers stayed

in range, although on the higher part of the range. I also didn't

feel much difference leaving the 25mg of PTU, but if I compare with

how I felt when I was on 350mg of PTU, there was a world of

difference.

It's great that you will be doing your labs again soon, I think it's

worth it to keep a close eye at this point. I am also naturally a

" high strung " person, and it's been interesting to kind of reconstruct

which bits are me and which were the hormones. One thing for sure, I

am not into feeling hyper anymore, whether by hormones or by

personality! I'm working on a much more relaxed approach to my life,

and I have found that things continue to work quite well, and I feel a

lot better for it.

Your story should be an inspiration to those of us who wonder how long

we can stay on ATDs - 5 years is a long stretch. My endo told me I

could try for about 2 years, and my Graves resolved before that was

up, however, if it hadn't, I am certain I would have continued on the

PTU as opposed to other options.

Congratulations!

I

really

> don't feel any different, I think I'll always be a worry-wart

nervous

> type of person. I'm thinking that's more related to my personality

> than to Graves.

>

>

[Guest guest]

-

Thank you for your response. 5 years *is* a long time! And I

remember at that first visit my endo suggesting the RAI...so glad I

took a different route.

It sounds so crazy but it's so hard for me to relax! I stay at home

with my 2 year old and I really have nothing to worry about but I'll

worry about the most insignificant things. When I feel my mind

racing I try to do breathing exercises...my Mother once told me that

even when I was little I would worry about lawn chairs being left

outside overnight...I was just born goofy I guess!

Anyway, it's nice to read your response. Take care!

I

> really

> > don't feel any different, I think I'll always be a worry-wart

> nervous

> > type of person. I'm thinking that's more related to my

personality

> > than to Graves.

> >

> >