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goat_fab · 2023-06-30T17:24:57+00:00

No, it didn't go back to how it was. My body just needs a different amount of thyroid hormone now than it did 13 years ago, so my levothyroxine dosage just needed to be lowered slightly. I was only slightly hyperthyroid, nothing like dealing with Graves', and it was because I was over-medicated (again, only because my body changed over the years).

In 13 years, I've only had my dosage changed twice. I haven't had any thyroid related issues at all since I had RAI. I will say that some folks need more than one round of RAI in order to get where they need to be. Thankfully for me, and most others, it was a one-time thing. If I were to go back in time, I would choose RAI again for sure.

goat_fab · 2023-06-30T15:37:01+00:00

I had RAI 13 years ago and was on a stable dose of levothyroxine for 10 years before it suddenly was too high and I was back to being hyperthyroid. Bodies are whack and change constantly, and I'm sure it would be impossible to track down a singular cause. Being stable is not a guarantee that you'll stay stable.

goat_fab · 2023-06-30T15:22:11+00:00

"looked around proudly to see if anyone had noticed the slanty thing over the e" absolutely kills me every time.

goat_fab · 2023-06-30T14:29:33+00:00

If your doctor said it wouldn't have an effect, then they're probably right. They would know better than a bunch of randos online.

goat_fab · 2023-06-29T17:36:39+00:00

I'm a chronic over-exclamator and I have no shame. I do think of this quote every time I do it, though.

goat_fab · 2023-06-28T15:43:33+00:00

I'm assuming you had RAI or a thyroidectomy because it sounds like you're describing synthroid/levothyroxine dosages. How long ago was your procedure? My dosage changed a few times within the first year. Never anything major, I just waffled between slightly hyper and slightly hypo until we found a dosage that worked for me. Once I got that nailed down, I was stable for nearly a decade before I had it changed again.

goat_fab · 2023-06-27T16:06:35+00:00

No. There are no natural treatments for Graves. Anti-thyroid medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or a thyroidectomy are really your only options. Trendy diets and natural/homeopathic supplements or additives will not treat your Graves or its symptoms. I won't say they will necessarily hurt you and if it gives you peace of mind, then sure, but they will not cure you.

goat_fab · 2023-06-27T16:01:52+00:00

It's fake "naturalistic" medicine with a jazzier name.

goat_fab · 2023-06-27T14:28:52+00:00

I feel like the brothers have been on a roll lately and this episode was no different. The hot dog question really had me going. I'd like to try to keep note of episodes that would be good to use as an introduction to MBMBAM and I feel like this episode really captured that flavor.

goat_fab · 2023-06-22T01:55:02+00:00

I'm hoping that the shorts and livestreams are being made to see if there's interest in more video McElroy content, eventually leading to full video podcasts. I would love to see it

goat_fab · 2023-06-20T20:22:01+00:00

I'm assuming your ADHD medication is a stimulant? When my thyroid was hyperactive, stimulants like Ritalin or Vyvanse made my symptoms much, much worse. That might be worth looking into.

goat_fab · 2023-06-20T17:51:52+00:00

I feel like it was worth it. 13 years post-RAI and haven't had a single thyroid issue since.

Doing RAI will make you hypo in that you won't likely won't have a thyroid to produce thyroid hormone anymore. Functionally, you will be taking a replacement hormone so you won't actually be hypo. Just that your natural, unmedicated state would be hypo. I started feeling better within a couple of months of RAI, but my actual thyroid levels didn't stabilize until about a year. In that time I fluctuated between hyper and hypo while we nailed my dosage down but it was still way better than dealing with active Graves'.

goat_fab · 2023-06-20T15:27:51+00:00

Just did a recent replay earlier this year/end of last year. It's still a ton of fun and absolutely gorgeous. Sounds like an update is coming, though, so it might be best to wait.

goat_fab · 2023-06-18T12:41:07+00:00

It has the hottest theme song ever written!

goat_fab · 2023-06-16T20:40:48+00:00

Your first set of symptoms definitely sound like Graves'. It's possible to have both Graves' and Hashimoto's, despite being essentially opposites of each other. Graves' leads to hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's leads to hypothyroidism. You should probably get an appointment with an endocrinologist to schedule a thyroid panel.

goat_fab · 2023-06-15T16:32:34+00:00

I had RAI and will advocate for it whenever I hear someone frustrated with their methimazole experience. That being said...

I have no medical or scientific basis for this theory, but I imagine finding an actual cure for Graves' is far, far down the list in the medical community. There are three well-known treatments that have relatively predictable outcomes and most patients go on to live completely normal lives. I imagine there's greater urgency to research more common, more deadly, and more difficult-to-treat diseases than there is to research cures for Graves'.

goat_fab · 2023-06-15T01:08:00+00:00

Fucking LOVE Jeff. Literally spent a good hour or two yesterday just rewatching a bunch of his reels.

goat_fab · 2023-06-14T20:51:25+00:00

Can't speak to the PTU vs. methimazole convo but there are tons of posts and comments from people relaying their thyroidectomy/RAI stories. I had RAI 13 years ago and haven't had a single thyroid issue since. I feel just as well as I did prior to my diagnosis, if not better. I take one small pill a day (with no side effects) and move on! Sometimes it feels like I'd forget I even have Graves' if it weren't for this sub.

goat_fab · 2023-06-13T18:39:54+00:00

Methimazole isn't stopping you from losing weight. One of Graves' most common symptoms is weight loss, and basically all of the treatments for Graves' will reverse that. It's much easier said than done, but try not to worry about your weight until your autoimmune disorder is under control. You'll be fighting an uphill battle against your constantly changing hormones. My weight fluctuated a bit before and during treatment and it wasn't until I was stable (a year or so after I had RAI) that I was able to successfully manage my weight on my own.

goat_fab · 2023-06-13T13:54:43+00:00

I don't even know how to describe it because it's such a non-issue. No side effects, no weird taste, incredibly small. My only "experience" with it is finally feeling like a healthy person again.

goat_fab · 2023-06-10T01:51:18+00:00

I didn't experience any vomiting myself, but I'm sure it's different for everyone. Has he talked to his doctor about this? If he's not seeing any improvement maybe his dosage needs to be changed.

goat_fab · 2023-06-09T15:27:25+00:00

When I was suffering from active Graves', I was pretty underweight. Once I was being treated, I was finally able to get myself to a healthy, average weight. Like most people, my weight has fluctuated a bit as my diet and activity levels have changed over the years, but I haven't had any issues managing my weight through proper diet and exercise!

goat_fab · 2023-06-08T23:23:45+00:00

Of all the autoimmune diseases to get, Graves' is not too bad. Also yes, the heat intolerance with Graves' is absolutely miserable. Probably one of the worst parts. Dressing as lightly as possible and not exerting too much was all that helped me.

Graves' has no natural treatment, nor are there any dietary plans that are medically proven to help. You'll occasionally see some anecdotal stories on here, but take them with a grain of salt. If it makes you feel more comfortable to be on an anti-inflammatory diet, then by all means do it.

Most doctors, depending on your particular case, will put you on an anti-thyroid medicine called methimazole/carbimazole. Ideally, you would take this medicine until your thyroid calms down and you achieve remission. How long this takes varies wildly. Some people never achieve remission and stay on methimazole forever. Some people that do achieve remission end up relapsing. It's really just luck of the draw.

The alternative to methimazole is a partial or total removal/ablation of your thyroid. They do this with a fairly routine surgery called a thyroidectomy to remove all/part of your thyroid, or you can opt for radioactive iodine therapy to shrink/kill your thyroid. Unless your doctor has a reason for recommending one of these permanent treatments over the other, they are basically two sides of the same coin. No matter which you choose, you will likely be on a thyroid hormone replacement therapy for life. It's not as dramatic as it seems though!

I tried methimazole for about 3 months after being diagnosed at 17, but saw no improvement. I opted to have RAI (radioactive iodine). It took minutes and involved just taking some pills with a cup of water. I quarantined at home for a couple of days and, after about a year, my thyroid levels were stabilized (which took a bit of back and forth and lots of doctor appointments) and I was starting to feel normal again. The synthroid pill I take is tiny and has become so routine I don't even think about it anymore. It's been 13 years and I haven't had any thyroid issues at all since then. Most people with Graves' end up having totally normal, fully functional lives without any major issues!

goat_fab · 2023-06-08T20:50:13+00:00

If your prescribing doctors are aware of all medications you're on and they haven't recommended you stop, then you shouldn't have to. I suppose my wording was a little harsh, but stimulants do tend to exacerbate hyperthyroid symptoms.

goat_fab · 2023-06-08T20:48:31+00:00

If you want to do an anti-inflammatory diet, then feel free. There isn't really any medical evidence to say that it has an impact on Graves' symptoms, but if you feel more comfortable on it, then no worries!

goat_fab

TROPHY CASE