Need advice regarding Graves disease...

[birdiesunshine]

My mom was diagnosed with Graves disease a few years ago, right after my grandma died and it's been controlled with medicine since then, however her last blood lab showed that she is going hyperthyroid again and the dr. wants to do radioactive iodine which would put her hypothyroid and she would have to take synthroid for the rest of her life. Before she takes this life altering step I thought I'd check to see if anyone had experience with natural remedies. Any thoughts or ideas???

 

[abaldacci]

This is the most standard form of treatment for Graves. If it is not treated it can casue damage to the heart and other organs of the body. If it were my Mom I would advise her to in a heart beat. I test people for this and also give the radioactive I131 for the treatment. It is simple really nothing as bad as letting the graves go untreated. I have also seen that, too. Don't let the radiation scare you it is to help your mom not to hurt her. She will be fine. If you have any questions you are welcome to pm me.

 

[Christine]

I don't have Grave's but I have had HUGE doses of radioactive iodine because of thyroid cancer. It's been 10 years and, so far, (knock on wood) so good. The amount that they give for Graves is relatively small and I agree with abaldacci that it will be much better than having Grave's disease. Once you get rid of the thyroid gland altoghether, it becomes much easier to manage.

 

[birdiesunshine]

This is the most standard form of treatment for Graves. If it is not treated it can casue damage to the heart and other organs of the body. If it were my Mom I would advise her to in a heart beat. I test people for this and also give the radioactive I131 for the treatment. It is simple really nothing as bad as letting the graves go untreated. I have also seen that, too. Don't let the radiation scare you it is to help your mom not to hurt her. She will be fine. If you have any questions you are welcome to pm me.

She is afraid of the weight gain, sluggishness, lack of energy that goes along with being hypothyroid. Will those things happen to her if she has the radioactive iodine?

 

[abaldacci]

It could because it takes a while to get the synthriod adjusted to the proper amount. Once the meds are adjusted she should feel like her normal self. she may have to lose weight or it may not come at all, it is really dependant on her body. Everyone is different.

 

[lindalinda]

Both my mom and my sister have had thyroid disease which required the radioactive treatment. Both have taken synthroid. There is no need to be nervous about this, but she does need to be persistent in checking her thyroid levels so that the dosage can get right. This can also change over time, and she would need to be cognizant of that. Graves disease is dangerous untreated...I know weight gain and sluggishness sound bad but the symptoms of graves are worse....my sis had a resting heart rate of over 120 when she had it and could have had heart failure or even a stroke if untreated.

 

[JVL1018]

My mom was diagnosed with Graves disease a few years ago, right after my grandma died and it's been controlled with medicine since then, however her last blood lab showed that she is going hyperthyroid again and the dr. wants to do radioactive iodine which would put her hypothyroid and she would have to take synthroid for the rest of her life. Before she takes this life altering step I thought I'd check to see if anyone had experience with natural remedies. Any thoughts or ideas???

My brother had undiagnosed Graves disease for years, he did the radioactive iodine treatment about 10 years ago and now he has hypothyroid, which for him just means he has to take a pill everyday for the rest of his life.
Other than that it has no bearing on him--he is a cop,physically demanding job- he is big into mountain biking, is in good shape, hasn't adversely affected him in anyway whatsoever.
Before he got treated..he was awful, gaunt and run down and tired and so irritable.

 

[mrsv98]

I had Graves disease in my 20s and felt horrible, I would absolutely have my DMom take the treatment. I had the iodine but did not go hypothyroid. My levels are fine and I have never had to take synthroid. It is much better to take the treatment than to let it go.

 

[CindyKansas]

I was also diagnosed with Graves Disease 10 years ago, I had lost 50 pounds without trying, was very jittery, my heart rate was unbelievable, I was in the bathroom constantly after every meal, sometimes I couldn't even finish a meal before heading to the bathroom. I went to the doctor and they knew immediately what was wrong with me. Went to the Endro. and they suggested the radioactive iodine, did it and now I take synthroid everyday. I feel so much better then I did but I did gain all the weight back and do struggle with my weight and I still have to have blood tests about 4 times a year. I tend to have tremendous ups and downs in my thyroid levels.
Tell your mom to get the treatment. She will feel so much better.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

My mother was diagnosed with Graves in 1999. She too was jittery all the time, said she felt like her insides were shaking uncontrollably. She lost over 50 lbs.
She did the radioactive iodine, which killed her thyroid, and now she takes synthroid. She gained all that weight back, plus some, but she also does not lead a healthy lifestyle at all. So I would guess that aspect depends on the person.

She was miserable with the Graves and does not regret the actions taken.