FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

Original post by gina674

Jun 22, 2005 09:28 PM

Hi Ladies...
I just got back from the doctor w/ FH, and he has been diagnosed with Graves Disease... aka Hyperthyroidism.... He has lost over 70 pounds with in the past year, and I was really worried about him and brought him to get checked out. Little did I know, last year when he went to the doctor for a physical, they suspected something was up, but FH never went for the blood workup, and now has caused damage to his thyroid....
M question to all of you is..... The doctor wants him to to take a radiation pill to help destroy the layers of his thyroid so eventually it goes back to a normal level. Has anyone been through this??? and does it really help???? I'm a little worried and I know I have to research it more, but I was wondering if anyone had any info on this?????
Thanks for all of your help....

Gina

beautyq115 Posted: Jun 22, 2005 10:32 PM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

Good luck to you and your FH and your families

MCDO15 Posted: Jun 22, 2005 10:40 PM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

my friend went though this serveral years ago

do you have AIM..prehaps i can connect you two to talk online about it.

FM me if you have AIM or an email address i can pass along

Melissa129 Posted: Jun 22, 2005 10:49 PM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

I am so sad for you.. I wish I could give you a BIG hug.. things will work out.. step by step.. thats all you can do.. and be there for him, but I know that goes without saying, Good Luck to you two!!!!!

Jax430 Posted: Jun 22, 2005 11:03 PM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

I'm sorry to hear this.

Bride2Be06 Posted: Jun 22, 2005 11:06 PM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

Sorry to hear this!

I myself was diagnosed with HYPOthyroidism (the opposite of him...my thyroid is very slow, which makes me tired and I gain weight very easily). I have been taking a common medicine called synthroid on a daily basis and I have been told that my thyroid levels have gone back to normal.

Hang in there!

octobride Posted: Jun 23, 2005 10:42 AM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

natiepie1028 Posted: Jun 23, 2005 10:46 AM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

Im so sorry Gina!!! Im sending some

salsbride06 Posted: Jun 23, 2005 10:47 AM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

OMG IM SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THIS. I HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS BEFORE I DONT KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU. I WILL KEEP YOU AND YOUR FH IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

Janice Posted: Jun 23, 2005 10:48 AM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

no advice though.

blueyes678 Posted: Jun 23, 2005 10:49 AM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

Oh sweetie, I'm soooo sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you guys!!

hbradio Posted: Jun 23, 2005 10:56 AM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

My dad just went through this....they had to remove his thyroids because one of them had .15% of cancer. Last year he took the iodine pill and he had to stay away from my stepmom and brother for a few days. He didnt really have any side effects besides being more tired and his mouth tasted a little like metal sometimes.

He went back for his 6 month check up and they made him take the pill again and now he only has .06% cancer. He has been on synthroid and will be indefinitely.

So its not the same exact situation but he did take the pill and it wasnt really a huge deal. This is all I know so I hope it helps.

Hope everything works out for you and FH!

brooklynbridezilla Posted: Jun 23, 2005 11:02 AM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

nferrandi Posted: Jun 23, 2005 11:08 AM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

I'm so sorry to hear this news. My prayers are with you.

endlessluv429 Posted: Jun 23, 2005 11:19 AM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

Posted by Bride2Be06

Sorry to hear this!

I myself was diagnosed with HYPOthyroidism (the opposite of him...my thyroid is very slow, which makes me tired and I gain weight very easily). I have been taking a common medicine called synthroid on a daily basis and I have been told that my thyroid levels have gone back to normal.

Hang in there!

this is what i have also, they discovered it in jr high when i was gaining a lot of weight. then once the synthroid kicked in i lost the weight and now i am able to gain and lose like a normal person. i just have to take the medicine. I hope your FH feels better!

Bumsie Posted: Jun 23, 2005 11:29 AM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

As long as FH takes care of himself by following up with an Endocrinologist and taking his meds as prescribed he'll be fine. My dad has it, I have it and my daughter was diagnosed with it at the age of 5. She's now almost 13. It is hereditary, however, females tend to get it more than males. We all had the radioactive Iodine treatment that you're referring to. You take a BIG pill and stay away from EVERYONE for at least 3 days while your body releases a lot of radioactive material. Keep in mind not everyone has to take medication for it for the rest of their lives afterwards. My dad has to take Synthroid for the rest of his lifetime. I've been taken off of medication for at least 6 to 7 years now and my daughter still takes Synthroid daily. She had her SECOND treatment at least 5 years ago. My condition only required ONE treatment. Her dose of synthroid fluctuates depending on her blood results at each follow up visit. Be sure to let your FH know that the thyroid gland controls a LOT of the body functions so he must take his diagnosis seriously. Please feel free to FM me if you want any additional info.

Magooo221 Posted: Jun 23, 2005 12:03 PM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

I will say lots of prayers for you and your fiance!!

JLP Posted: Jun 23, 2005 12:08 PM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

My mother has had Graves disease for years. When she was diagnosed, she did the radioactive drink and her thyroid slowly died. She takes Synthroid every day and is perfectly fine. Once a year she goes to her endocrinologist and gets her blood levels checked. If her dosage is off, even the slightest bit, she can tell.

My mom is awesome. You'd never know she has any problems and she will probably outlive all of us. My mother took up weightlifting a few years ago and has the body I haven't had since I was a teenager.

Your FH will be 'good as new'. With proper treatment, life will only be different because he has to take a pill every day. No biggie!!!

He actually probably doesn't know he feels sick because it comes on gradually, but he will feel like a new man once his levels are back in check.

ETA: This is hereditary and consequently I get my blood tested once per year. Your kids may get this too.

gina674 Posted: Jun 23, 2005 12:44 PM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

Thank You Everyone!!!! Between all of you, I got more information than the Doctor gave me!!!!! I do feel a little better about it. I just wasn't sure about the radioactive pill and the regular medicine. I hate when doctors give you half answers and then say goodbye...

Thank you all for listening and for sharing your own stories, I know its not easy, but very much appreciated.....

I love you All!!!!!!

Gina

cindyandkevin Posted: Jun 23, 2005 01:18 PM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

Omg, I'm so sorry!!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your FH!!!

MsKitty1274 Posted: Jun 23, 2005 01:30 PM

Re: FH has been diagnosed w/ Graves Disease....

Gina!!! I had no idea what was going on!!! I am sorry to hear about Dave!! You are both in my thoughts and prayers!! I am sure things will be okay, and SO glad so many wonderful ladies on here have been able to share their personal experiences with you!!! PLEASE let me know if there is anything Sebastian and I can do for you and Dave!!!!

MANY!!!! and

Jill