Hyperthyroid goiter

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2004
Hyperthyroid goiter
6
Mon, 08-16-2004 - 11:02pm
Hello, I am new on this discussion board. I've had hyperthyroidism for almost seven years now. I got back on the medicine (methimazole) last year, about this time. Since then, I have not been able to reduce the dosage. Instead, my doctor had to increase the dosage because we just couldn't seem to get it under normal this time. So my dosage went from 20mg per day to 40mg per day to the current 60mg per day. Even when taking 60mg per day for about severl months, we still can't seem to get it under normal. It's frustrating!!! Although the lab result shows it's gradually going down to normal, slowly! Plus, I have a huge goiter. The goiter never goes away. I can feel it's getting bigger and bigger recently. I can even feel its fullness and it's uncomfortable. I've had another doctor suggesting me to take radioiodine to get rid of the goiter. But knowing that I would have a high change of becoming hypothyroidism in the future, I decided against radioiodine. Recently, I have noticed that I get hungry easily and frequently, I start losing hair again! I am just soooo afraid that I will never be able to treat my hyperthyroid problem. And I don't want the goiter to turn into cancer, even though the chance is small. Sometimes, I wish this hyperthyroidism problem would just go away. I am so tired of dealing with this problem as my life is becoming increasingly stressful. And I just can't understand why I can't get it under normal range this time because the medicine worked really well in the past!!! Arggg...


Edited 8/16/2004 11:03 pm ET ET by eifje
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: eifje
Tue, 08-17-2004 - 11:27am
Hi & welcome to this board.

I was diagnosed with multinodular goiter & hyperthyroidism back in April. I am by no means an expert and am still learning as I go.

It does seem like your med doses are not enough. I have been on 800mg daily of PTU for almost 4 months. My TSH is still not normal but my other levels are in the normal ranges. I go back to my endo in 3 weeks.

Are you seeing an endocronologist? A regular dr. should not be treating a hyperthyroid condition (so I've been told a few times). What about changing your meds? Have you ever taken PTU? I know it takes a while for meds to adjust and find the right dosage. It is frustrating!!! But it seems obvious that if you're feeling lousy, your meds may need to be increased. When is your next dr. visit??

Anyway, I know I'm not much help here but sometimes it helps when there are others who have BTDT!

Keep us posted.

--Gina

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: eifje
Tue, 08-17-2004 - 9:19pm

Hi Eifje,


My concern is your growing goiter.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2004
In reply to: eifje
Wed, 08-18-2004 - 2:07pm
Hey there eifje,

I have some info on alternatives to hyper meds and the RAI. It sounds though like your hyperthyroidism is increasing, and that can be a cause to worry. My endocrinologist didn't want to start me on any thyroid meds yet b/c she said it could put me into the hyper ranges and she said long term that's unhealthy for your heart. By being hyper your metabolism is faster, so you are more hungry, your body is digesting faster and more often , and your heart is working harder too. My doc said that longterm that can weaken the heart muscles. I know that there isn't a cure for hyperthyroidism at this time, but there are ways to treat it.

Here are some web pages with information on alternative treatments for hyperthyroidism.

http://www.herbalremedies.com/bugleweed.html

Bugleweed General Information

"The modern uses of Bugleweed are different than its traditional use. For hundreds of years, Bugleweed was used as a sedative, and a treatment for coughs. Today, Bugleweed is used for treating mild hyperthyroidism. Bugleweed is part of the mint family. The medicinal qualities of Bugleweed is in the leaves and flowers.

Bugleweed Uses & Scientific Evidence For

Bugleweed is used specifically for over-active thyroid glands, especially where the symptoms include tightness of breathing, palpation and shaking; however, this herb also improves circulation. Bugleweed acts as a diuretic, peripheral vasoconstrictor, astringent, nervine, and anti-tussive.

Bugleweed Dosage Information

Germany’s Commission E recommends taking 1–2 grams of the whole herb per day. A standard dosage of tincture should be limited to 1–2 ml three times a day. Bugleweed is often combined with lemon balm to treat mildly overactive thyroid function. Bugleweed can also be safely used with skullcap or valerian.

Bugleweed Safety & Interaction Information

Exceeding recommended doses of Bugleweed may cause a potentially harmful decrease in thyroid function; however, long-term use of Bugleweed is considered safe for people with hyperthyroidism. Thyroid disease should only be treated under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease is not known."

Here is info on alternatives to RAI (radioactive Iodine) concerning people who have Grave's disease (The autoimmune hyperthyroid disease)

http://askwaltstollmd.com/graves.html

"Graves' Disease: Alternatives to RAI Treatment

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A practical understanding of mechanisms of causation leads to alternatives.

This condition is NOT a primary disease of the thyroid. It is caused by the hypothalamus being chronically overwhelmed by stress-effect storage which then tries to compensate by "turning up the metabolism" to cope. It does THIS by telling the pituitary to produce TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which then does exactly what its name suggests. Actually, the condition is rarely recognized during this initial phase of high TSH although it is an absolutely universal stage of the condition.

By the time the individual has the classical symptoms of Graves', the pituitary portion of the hypothalamic cascade is exhausted and the TSH is low. Unfortunately, by that time, the pathology of the Thyroid is running by itself. Graves' is determined by another of those idiosyncratic genetic susceptibilities that are determined by the individual's genetic makeup. Others might end up with allergies or arthritis, etc., from the exact same set of stressors and stored stress-effect which result was determined by THEIR genetic susceptibility factors.

Typically, the Allopathic Monopoly is so simplistic that it only considers the end organ of this cascade. This is similar to the following scenario: Your neighbor is continually ringing your doorbell to warn you that your house is on fire. The noise is so annoying that you disconnect the doorbell so you can't hear the noise. In the meantime, your house burns down!

Until the stress-effect is discharged, your only alternative is to eventually destroy the thyroid. New ways that the endocrine system is balanced are being discovered every few months. There is no doubt that we will eventually find mechanisms, other than the pituitary, that tell the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone. The problem is with the chronic storage in the hypothalamus and until that is discharged the physiological pathology will continue even though the thyroid portion may be controlled by the destruction of the Thyroid.. That is what RAI treatment does to the thyroid.

Actually, the risk of cancer is the least of the complications of RAI treatment. Nearly every case becomes hypothyroid since the dose necessary to get quick results is always great enough to eventually burn out the thyroid completely. Taking the replacement thyroid, by necessity, must be an average daily dose--since we are not yet capable of adjusting the dose daily as our system normally does for us. We do not need the same dose of thyroid daily; therefore, even though we can take an average dose, nearly every day we are either getting too much or too little. We are extremely fortunate when we just happen to take the exact dose our body would have made for us that day--were it normally responsive. All by itself, this discrepancy makes an individual much more susceptible to all forms of acute and chronic disorders.

Read what I have on the web site about Modern Medical Interpretation of Stress and Skilled Relaxation. My book, Saving Yourself From the Disease-Care Crisis, goes into considerably greater depth than is possible here.

There are many treatable aggravating factors that you could do something about. I would suggest you find a good Complementary Medical Practitioner, near to you, who would be able to evaluate where one could put their efforts to get the greatest benefits, in the shortest period of time, with the least expenditure of time, money and energy. This process needs to be tailored to the individual. These resources are documented in my book."

This last website is about thyroiditis, which is inflamation of the thyroid,

http://www.mythyroid.com/thyroiditis.htm

Thyroiditis

"The thyroid gland usually contains an abundance of thyroid hormone that is stored in follicles and released when needed. Inflammation of the thyroid, termed thyroiditis, may result in uncontrolled release of thyroid hormone from the inflamed gland, leading to hyperthyroidism. The inflammation may be silent and non-painful, and patients may be unaware that the thyroid gland is affected by the inflammatory process. Thyroiditis also commonly occurs after pregnancy, and hence may be referred to in this instance as ‘postpartum thyroiditis’.

Alternatively, thyroid inflammation may be quite severe and painful (subacute thyroiditis), producing local neck discomfort, neck tenderness, difficulty with swallowing and symptoms of systemic inflammation, including fatigue, fever, loss of appetite and weight loss.

With both types of thyroiditis, the inflammation can produce some degree of thyroid enlargement, which can be particularly prominent with subacute thyroiditis.

If enough thyroid hormone is released from the inflamed thyroid gland, mild to severe hyperthyroidism may develop, that can last for weeks to months. Following the resolution of thyroiditis, the thyroid gland often begins to function normally again, and no further treatment may be necessary. If the inflammation has produced significant permanent damage to the thyroid, the gland may not be able to function normally after the inflammation has subsided, and hypothyroidism may ensue."

Good luck with your research, you may want to ask your doctor what other things you could try to help with your hyperthyroidism. If the medicine worked well for you in the past, then would they consider upping the dosage for you again to see if that makes a difference? Goiters are another story though, mine used to make me feel like I was choking, especially when I would fall asleep. The swelling has finally went away! I hope that you can find something that will help you feel better soon. I know that most doctors won't do surgery unless there's hyperthyroidism, cancer or its unsightly. Goodluck to you, Ihope you can find some comfort soon.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
In reply to: eifje
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 5:27pm
Hi, I have been hyperthyroid for about 1 yr and 9 mo. Currently I am taking 100mg synthroid along with 40mg of tapazole (methimazole). I take the synthroid to prevent me from becoming hypo. This dosage seems to keep my under control, but my thyroid is still very big and I have the eye problems associated with thyroid disorders. My dr. doesn't want to give me more than 40mg of tapazole, and he and three other specialists have recommended that I remove the whole thyroid. I found a surgeon I like, but I am now going to consult with an eye dr. who specializes in this type of eye problems. My dr. says that I would probably need at last two treatments of radioactive iodine because my thyroid is so enlarged and this treatment would make my eyes worse. Surgery does not make the eyes worse. In fact after surgery they improve.

Do you have problems with your eyes? If not I don't think it would be a bad idea to take the radioiodine. If you became hypo you can take synthroid (thyroid hormone). So many people take this and there are no side effects. The dr. can regulate the amount so your numbers will be completely normal and you feel normal. Even if you need more than 1 treatment of radioiodine this should not be a problem, assuming you don't have the associated eye problems. Well, that's what I would check into based upon my experience with seeing 3 top specialists in the area. Hope that helps.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
In reply to: eifje
Sun, 08-22-2004 - 4:19pm
Hi and welcome. I'm so sorry that you're going through this! It is so frustrating, I know, and I've often wished the same thing - that my thyroid condition would just go away. My understanding of the treatment for hyperthyroidism is that medication is given for usually nolonger than a year. That's when it's time to decide if it's worked in bringing the thyroid back to normal levels or move on to other treatment. Usually that would be radioactive iodine. I'm hypothyroid myself so I don't have firsthand experience with the different treatments but I'm wondering why you're worried about becoming hypothyroid? You may be lucky enough to just get down to normal thyroid function and not have to have it taken all the way down to hypo. And this is just my opinion but it seems to me that being hypothyroid is much easier to treat - although from most of the horror stories incolved in getting diagnosed and treated correcxtly, you would never know it! I think you also need to speak with your doctor about your goiter and decide what plan of action you're going to take with it. I know these are all difficult options but your health is so important and it's important for you to understand all your options and make wise decisions. Cathy
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
In reply to: eifje
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 11:26pm
I am hyperthyroid (Graves disease) with a huge goiter. I have been this way for about 1 and half years now. I also have the eye problems associated with Graves. My endo recommended surgery, total thyroidectemy, along with 2 other endos and an opthamologist. I feel this is the best solution to the problem. Then I'll have to be regulated on synthroid, which my endo says is very easy. I know a lot of people that take synthroid and are fine. Hope this info is helpful.