Can a person with Graves disease be able to take medicine all their life such as PTU?

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Can a person with Graves disease (a very hyperactive thyroid) problem be able to take medicine all their life such as PTU or do they end up doing radioactive iodine treatment down the road anyway? I am 31 and I haven't been able to find an endocrinologist who won't go down this radioactive iodine treatment route before allowing me to take a medication called PTU.

I haven't had any kids yet and I really don't want to do this radioactive iodine treament at all. I am really not into destroying my glands only to turn hypothyroid and thenhave to take a medication called Synthroid fopr the rest of my life. Any comments or opinions.
PTU is safe to take from the remainder of your life. The radioactive iodine treatment (RAI) is performed if the medication doesn't normalize your thyroid levels. There are other thyroid meds as previously mentioned, methimazole. Synthroid is a thyroid medication. Don't be pressured to have RAI or even have your thyroid surgically removed. But, sometimes this is necessary. And, would require that you remain on medication. You're still young so be your own boss. I hope this helps and Good Luck. Here is a website:
http:/thyroid.about.com/od/hyperthyroidismgraves/a/graveshyper101.htm  (+ info)

Can someone help me understand and deal with Graves Disease symptoms and problems?

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I have graves disease and was diagnosed 5 years ago. I have been off and on PTU since. I never saw a specialist or got any treatment. Now 5 years later I finally got a specialist. Unfortunately because no records are available about my episodes my doctor has taken me off PTU and is letting me get sick. I am generally confused and a little anxious about alot of the things going on in my body and would like a little help.
Maybe you can elaborate a little on what you are feeling? That would help us to help you... The symptoms of Graves disease can be overwhelming at times, both physically and emotionally, but there are some ways to cope with it so that you can live a normal life. It affects so many areas of your general health, I wouldn't know where to begin unless you can explain how you are feeling.
PS: I also have Graves'  (+ info)

Overmedicated on synthroid can it cause symptoms of Graves disease?

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Over 20 years ago I was diagnosed with Graves disease and underwent iodine treatment for it as a result ended up with hypothyroid. Recently it was discovered I was being way over medicated for the hypothyroid and was exhibiting symptoms similar to hyperthyroid. Could the overmedication also cause symptoms of Graves disease particularily the puffy eyelids?
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What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism or graves disease?

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I would like to hear from people who have some personal experience with this because i think i may be in the early stages of graves disease. my doctor wants me to have blood tests and an ultrasound of my thyroid, but i cannot do it right now because i don't have any health insurance. I have to wait until i have some way to pay for these tests and anything else if i do have the disease. my thyroid is definitely enlarged, and i have lost a lot of weight unintentionally.
I had Graves Disease (it's in remission right now), so maybe I can help you with this one. It's definitely something that you should get taken care of though, so maybe there's a way you can get yourself to a free clinic or something to get a simple blood test. Pretty much what brought me to the doctor initially was that I lost weight without really trying to. I also had a voracious appetite. Other symptoms that I only noticed later were dry skin, a dull headache above my eyes (I thought it was a sinus infection until I realized that it went away once my graves was under control), irritable mood swings (this is one of the main reasons you should get it taken care of asap- graves can affect your personality... it can trigger anxiety, irritability, inattention, etc.). Good luck and feel better! Luckily, graves is very treatable but unexplained weight loss can be symptomatic of other more serious illnesses, so you definitely need to get this taken care of.  (+ info)

Is hyperthyroidism The same as graves disease?

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I have been told I have hyperthyroidism but they have also mentioned graves disease. When I try and get information on these they tell me two different things to eat. What makes the difference?
Hyperthyroidism is any condition that results in too much thyroid hormone being produced by the thyroid gland. Grave's disease is one cause of this condition where the entire gland becomes "overactive" and produces too much thyroid hormone. There are other conditions that cause hyperthyroidism, but the mechnism and nature of these conditions are different from Grave's disease. Tumors of the thyroid, and sometimes an inflammation of the thyroid can also cause hyperthyroidism. Your doctor can do tests to determine the cause. So in short, Grave's disease is not synonymous with hyperthyroidism, but it is one cause of it.  (+ info)

How is it that I am gaining weight with Graves Disease?

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I was recently diagnosed with Graves Disease and i have went from a weight of 130 pounds to 173 in a couple of months, I have read everywhere that you lose weight and I haven't even started meds yet?
not everyone has the typical symptoms - some people have none at all and some people have unusual/seemingly opposite symptoms. It's the same with people who have an underactive thyroid - most of them will gain weight but some people actually lose it.  (+ info)

Who has successfully used diet, exercise and natural remedies for hyperthyroid - graves disease?

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I have been diagnosed after the birth of my first child 6 years ago with graves disease I have been medicated, taking carbimazole, for 3 years and was all good for the 2 years that followed but it has flaired up again. I have had enough of carbimazole and want to find out if any one has successfully tried a natural remedy. I have checked out a couple of EBook but the cost for these books is huge.
I have Graves Disease too. I've been on PTU for around three years. My T3 T4 TSH numbers are ok, but I've had a few bouts of atrial fibrillation. These lasted for 24-48 hours then stopped. I wish I could help, but I'm looking for a solution too. I don't like the idea of radioactive iodine...so I'm hoping that long-term anti thyroid drugs will give the thyroid a chance to burn itself out. The only thing I can suggest is to eat lots of green leafy vegetables and soy.....they can have an impact on the thyroid hormone production. Best wishes.
Forgot to say....try to get a copy of 'The Thyroid Solution' by Dr Ridha Arem (an endicronologist)....should be available at most bookshops.....worth a read.  (+ info)

Did anybody with Graves disease suffer from depression?

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I have graves disease with ALL the symptoms but I also had depression. Which is a symptom of hypothyroid. I'm wondering am I just depressed or is that a little known sypmtom no one talks about. Also I havent taken my medication for a year, I just took a blood test and they all came back normal.
I believe that pregnancy brought on my graves and now that I am done with having kids and breastfeeding them, it has disappeared? Is that possible or am i in lala land?
I think the depression is probably unrelated to the Graves disease. I haven't seen any research showing a connection between the two. I'm not saying it isn't out there, just that I haven't seen it.

As for the Grave's being related to childbirth, it is possible. The body works in strange ways, and no two people will react exactly the same all the time.  (+ info)

what are the signs of graves disease?

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I have graves disease and ALOT of the syptoms, but my t3 & t4 are normal, but the dr want to do surgery, what should I do?
Bulging eyes is the main one that you would need surgery for.  (+ info)

Has anyone out there had hyperthyroidism and or Graves Disease?

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I have hyperthyroidism and now Graves disease, I have been on Tapazole medication and it just isn't working for me so now I am scheduled to have radio iodine treatment that kills the thyroid has anyone out there had this treament and if so I would like to know how it worked for you. Thanks!
I have the same. I have been on methimizole (Tapizole) for 2.5 years now. It is working great.

What leads you to believe that the Tapizole isn't working for you? I've never heard of that. I've only heard of doctors who prescribe it inappropriately.

Please reconsider the radioactive iodine thyroid ablation. You need your thyroid to live. There are extreme negative consequences to your health from this treatment. And it's NOT a cure for Grave's disease. After the treatment, you will still have Grave's disease. Plus you will have a new disease - hypothyroidism. You will have to be treated for hypothyroidism for the rest of your life.  (+ info)

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