posted
Hi, I posted about extreme fatigue and was advised on here to have my doctor do some blood work. I assumed the fatigue was from the Lyme. My doctor called and said they need to send me to an Endocrinologist. They think I have Grave's Disease, It runs in my family.
From what I read so far it doesn't seem like anything serious but my poor body is already fighting the Lyme and this just seems like an added stressor. Between the Lyme and the Graves I guess it is a wonder I can stay awake at all. I wonder if anyone on here knows what to expect at the Endocrinologist or knows anything about it?
Thanks, Ann
-------------------- If you keep doing nothing...nothing changes!
posted
Hi, I would prefer to do natural treatments if I could. I would think it was from the Lyme but my grandmother and two aunts have it so I think I would have it regardless of the Lyme. Although the Lyme may have activated it because they were much older when they were diagnosed with graves so who knows.
I guess my grandmother and one aunt had surgey and my other aunt takes medication. Not sure what route I will go yet as I have to see the Endocrinologist.
Thanks to those who said to get my blood work checked. I always assume Lyme for everything esp. the fatigue. I am hoping whatever they do for treatment it helps with the fatigue that will be a big improvement to my life.
-------------------- If you keep doing nothing...nothing changes!
Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
They don't really know what causes Graves.
I would suspect it is genetic most
likely. I would not waste my time on treatments
that usually do not work and only weaken the
patient. I would opt for surgery to take some of
it out to stop the symptoms.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
I was diagnosed with Graves about 4 yrs ago. The endo checked my thyroid receptor antibodies and they were elevated. He put me on an antithyroid med called tapazole. It put me in remission. Google Elaine Moore and hyperthyroidism. She has a website and a ton of info. I have a pituitary problem and adrenals. I don't know what the Lyme caused or genetics. No one in my family has any problems though. Just dx'd with Lyme a little over 2 yrs ago. I've been disabled/sick for 10.
Posts: 383 | From Ar | Registered: May 2007
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posted
My husband has Graves Disease and no (known) Lyme. It made him hyperthyroid so he was jittery rather than tired.
He took the medicine to control it for a while. Everyone else in the family needs to be gluten free and I had read that gluten intolerance/celiac could cause Grave's Disease so he agreed to do the GF diet, too.
He has been able to stop the medicine. The endocrinologist told him from the start that some people go into remission from the medicine so I don't know if the GF diet had any part in it or not.
Grave's Disease is another autoimmine disease.
Posts: 984 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Thanks for the info everyone. Jkmom that is interesting that you mention the Celiac's because I remember my Aunt saying that she was not susposed to eat gluten. I will look into that.
Thanks, Ann
-------------------- If you keep doing nothing...nothing changes!
just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
I 'suspect' I have thyroid issues also.
but wanted to point out ONE factor in severe fatigue.
I switched to sea salt a couple years ago.. It does not have iodine.
Some KIND soul from this board,,,you know who you are,,,sent me a link to iodine def. and sxs it causes,,,whammo me to a "T".
Thought what can I lose at THIS point. stopped at health food store and bought a 5 buck bottle of Kelp,,,which is a Great way to have natural iodine
within a day I was 300 percent better in the fatigue department.
unfortunately the bottle ran dry,,,,I didnt get back to buy any. couple months aprox. pass,,,fatigue overwhelms me again.
Back to health food store for another try. SAME result,within a day,remarkable improvement.
not saying all,,but MUCH fatigue CAN be low iodine intake,,okay kelp intake!! One warning,,too much is as dangerous as too little!!
But for the severe fatigue people,,,invest 5-10 bucks in a 'possible' temp fix. You wont find this at wally world.
IF energy doesnt improve in a week,,,maybe its not doing YOU any good!! But I hope this post does more good!!
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
hi ann,
my hubby has had grave's disease for 25-30 yrs. now!
he lost 100 lbs. before we finally got him diagnosed; he wouldn't open up to the drs. when i wasn't around...so i'm his spokeswoman to get out the problems and see what they can do.
he's been on thyroid meds since; going from hyper to hypo, etc.
he's also UNDIAGNOSED LYME, and i had western blot done on him after my positive diagnosis, but my newbie learning llmd didn't know how to read dr. c's w.b. explanation.
hubby suffers this way with graves disease:
his eyes feel GRITTY, and tear up; WIPE THEM IMMEDIATELY AS THE WATER WILL STINK TERRIBLY !!
i have it dark in here, but when his eyes are acting up, it's pitch black in the house; can not be around light at all.
takes only his thyroid pills; has some eye drops to use if necessary when they are acting up.
he gets terrible pressure BEHIND the eye ball when it acts up. his eyes get REALLY GLOSSY also.
hope this helps you a little...
also when diagnosed, he took a RADIOACTIVE PILL at hospital; we never did get a bill for that!!
he had to collect his pee, etc...that potent; i was afraid to kiss him during the time until it all came out of his urine...
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posted
Hi, I will look into the kelp. Anything to help with the fatigue would be great. I do have light sensitivity like your hubby Betty but not to that extreme, but my eyes have been bothering me lately alot. Hard to wear contacts, watery and double vision to that point that I have been nervous about it sometimes feeling like I may lose my sight. Scary feeling so hopefully that gets better as well.
Thanks, Ann
-------------------- If you keep doing nothing...nothing changes!
Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Lakes you could try the iodine suggested. I would
also stay away from all tap water. Drink only
bottled purified water. Lots of chemicals go into
water treatment. Then see what happens. I would
not hesitate seeking medical treatment for any
symptoms such as racing heart. By the time they
found my cousins it was to the point blockers did
not work and they told her if they did not get it
out it would kill her. This was after many trips
to ER with could not find anything. Duh.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
This is an interesting discussion as I too suspect I have a thyroid problem.
My thyroid testing always comes back borderline normal and last week I asked my LLMD about it.
He said at some point I should probably be on medicine for hyperthryoidism. That left me feeling a little "odd" as I would like to take care of all my health problems if I can.
As the original poster, I have unbelievable fatigue.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
I hope that you get some answers but thought I would share something real quick...
Untreated, Graves disease can be very dangerous. If your levels get too low (TSH that is), you could have a thyroid storm and die. Chances are, if you are not in the hospital when you have one, you will not survive. Not trying to scare you but it is the truth.
It is very important to stay on top of your levels and treat the disease properly. There are no herbal remedies for Graves Disease that I know of.
Hope this helps and good luck.
Posts: 114 | From Atlanta, GA | Registered: May 2009
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
bncrump is correct. Plus hyperthyroid can contribute/cause psychologic problems.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
-
lakes592 ,
Do you have a LLMD? I would never consider accepting a dx, prognosis and treatment plan from just one doctor who was not communicating with your LLMD about this.
Lyme really messes with the immune system and all autoimmune dx should be examined in light of that by someone who is expert in the field.
It could be a temporary thing, error in tests - or you could have Graves. Still, a lyme expert should be consulted before you make assumptions and start any kind of treatment, even self treatment.
Yes, this is a serious matter and you can't just ignore it but, IMO, you really need the second opinion of a lyme expert. Any Endocrinologist you may see should be lyme literate. See if your LLMD can refer you to a good one. If you don't have a LLMD, call the ones closest to you and see if they can offer some names. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
My cousin has Graves. I have Hashimotos. She doesn't have Lyme. But I will say my dx of Hashimotos didn't show up until AFTER I was dx with Lyme. Not every single thing is Lyme though, Hashimotos (and other autoimmune diseases) run in my family. My grandma had Hashimotos. My mom has this thing where her hair falls out in patches. My mom has had hypothyroid ever since I can remember, my dad as well.
I will say that the hypo sx (or Hashimotos sx) in our family are very different from the Graves that my cousin experiences. She doesn't have fatigue. She is jittery. She lost a ton of weight (as if that girl could get any skinnier!).
It's hard for me to know if the Hashimotos came from genes, or from Lyme, or if the Lyme brought it out. I know that a lot of ppl here have Hashimotos as well, so that's why I always suspect Lyme.
-------------------- ---Beautiful Disaster--- IgeneX WB: IgM: 18+, 31+, 41+, 58+, IgG: 31++, 39 IND, 41++, 31kda Epitope Test: Positive Labcorp: IgM: 23+, 41+ No LLMD due to money since Sept 2008. Was on Doxy, I.V. Rocephin (30 days), Flagyl. Also dx with Bartonella. Posts: 139 | From United States, East Coast-ish | Registered: Aug 2009
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SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
I was dx with Grave's disease last year, but I did not believe I truly had it. I was convinced that I had overstimulated my thyroid using other treatments so I decided not to pursue radiating it, etc. I used a product from WTSMed called ThyroCalm PX which is a natural product for Graves. It helped calm things down and I am no longer using it now.
I agree that it has to be taken seriously, but I hope you find a doctor that won't jump right to trying to radiate it if that can be avoided.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
It is weird that this just came about because I was just looking into a Parathyroid supplement from progressive labs called Para Thyrolate before my blood work even came back because a woman said that if your parathyroid is not properly functioning you will not be able to get Candida under control.
Now I am wondering if it is a totally seperate thing from Grave's or part of it or what the difference is? Does anyone know anything about that and is that something that is checked when they do the bloodwork?
I also wondering I just lost about 35 lbs in the last couple years but have maintained my current weight for over a year. I am wondering if I do the treatments for graves will I get fat again? I really don't want that to happen it was hard enough losing the weight the first time! Thanks, Ann
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