I saw the Endocrinology doctor today and she checked the size of my neck and thyroid. She confirmed that I have Hyperthyroid and Grave's disease. She asked me if I know what Grave's disease was? I told her that it made my eyes bulge. She explained to me that in Grave's disease, the eye and the thyroid contains the same muscle composition, that's why the immune system attacks the thyroid gland also.
The doctor told me 3 options I have.
a.) Take anti-thyroid. I might need to take the meds up to 2 years to resolve my disease.
b.) Take one time Radioactive Iodine pill but there might be a possibility to make my Grave's disease worst.
c.) Thyroidectomy. It is a surgery that removes part or all of the thyroid gland.
I told the Doctor, I like the anti-thyroid or thyroidectomy option. So she started me that day on methimazole and propanolol.
Instructions for meds:
taking methimazole 10mg 3x/day.
propranolol 3x/day and always check pulse prior to taking propranolol. If pulse is >80, take 2 pills of 20mg (40mg) if 80-60 take 1 pill (20mg) if <60 hold the dose.
I asked her if my eyes would go back to normal while taking these meds. She replied that "Referral to eye clinic was made for you today. Please wait to hear back from them".
Prior to ending the consult. The doctor needed some blood drawn and directed me to the lab area. They took about 2 vials of blood from me.
She informed me that potential side effects of methimazole is liver injury. Please
stop methimazole if I have fever, infection or sore throat and call MD immediately.
Follow up in 1 month.
My homework:
Take it very easy for the next 4 weeks. No strenuous exercise. Walking is OK. No
running.
Pregnancy is contraindicated now.
Feb 22, 2014
I received the results of the blood test
Components Standard Range My value
T4 0.6 - 1.6 ng/dL >8.0
T3 2.3 - 4.2 pg/mL >30.0
TSH 0.40 - 4.0 mIU/L <0.01
