50% cure on anti-Thyroid Drugs?

[Guest guest]

> Dear Elaine

> Thanks for the infomation.You had mention that the

> people are taken off without the correct tests.

> I am new to GD---what are the correct tests to be done

> before being taken off ATD

> Thanks

> Amy

Hi Amy,

To check for remission of Graves' you check the level of the

antibodies that generally cause the symptoms, called TSIs (thyroid

stimulating immunoglobulins). This would be done after you've been

stable on an antithyroid med for a year or so. Although the lab

cutoff for a normal TSI reading is 130%, people without an autoimmune

thyroid disease have less than 2%, which is the goal for remission

from Graves'. (There are additional types of antibodies that can be

checked, but TSI are the starting point, especially for someone

without Graves' eye disease.)

The ATDs slow antibody production, especially if you can avoid

becoming hypothyroid by monitoring through blood tests. Then,

hopefully, by making diet and lifestyle changes (stress reduction),

you can heal your immune system so that it doesn't produce more. Any

antibodies currently in your system will disappear after 90-120 days.

The alternative to checking antibodies is to wean off the ATD after a

year and a half and see if your levels stay normal. However, for

someone like me who has Graves' eye problems, it's a tougher call as

there are antibodies that can cause hypothyroid symptoms too. Now if

someone would explain this to my " top-notch " endocrinologist!

Best wishes,