throwing antibodies?

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Registered: 11-01-2006
throwing antibodies?
11
Sat, 11-04-2006 - 9:21am
My Dr office called yesterday to tell me I still need to come in for the blood work but he wont be able to actually talk to me until the following week. I asked the nurse if there was any concern and she said he noted my thryoid is "throwing antibodies" but she was not sure what it meant. Have you heard of this or would anyone know anything about that? She also said not to alarm me but she knew of a person who had to have their thyroid removed because of a similar situation, but to wait and talk to the dr.
So, Im trying not to worry about it but am concerned as to what this could mean.
Any ideas?

Deb

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Avatar for cl_calley7
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Registered: 03-20-2003
Sat, 11-04-2006 - 6:53pm

Hi Bostongirl06,


That term is new to me but I'm curious to find out what your doctor will tell you.

 

Calley7

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Registered: 11-01-2006
Sun, 11-05-2006 - 10:14am
Thats what I was wondering, something along the lines of my body is fighting something, wouldnt that be a reason to create antibodies? I guess I will have to wait and see. But I will let you know.
Thanks !

Deb

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Avatar for jessie_sherman
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 9:34am

Hi bostongirl,

I have Hashimotos. Hashimotos and Graves, are conditions resulting from your body's own immune system attacking the thyroid. Both Hashimotos and Graves are autoimmune diseases. I take Levoxyl, which gives my body the thyroid hormones it needs to function properly. When you take the medications it makes the thyroid cease functioning. Once that happens the thyroid goes "quiet", and the antibodies stop attacking the thyroid. Weird, I know, but we cannot control what our bodies do. Both Hashimotos and Graves can be managed with medications. Just try to relax until your doctor gets the results.

Jessie

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Registered: 11-01-2006
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 10:18am
Thanks, thats good to know that if thats the case it can be controlled with meds. Are there other symptoms that I would be aware of if that was the condition? Or would it be all the normal thyroid related symptoms ie tiredness, moods, weight ?

I wont worry too much, I cant, my DH worries enough for the both of us. Thanks for the info though !

Deb

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Avatar for jessie_sherman
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 3:51pm

Hashimotos is normally hypothyroid: feeling tired, weight gain, dry skin/brittle hair, constipation, etc. Graves is hyperthyroid: unexplained weight loss even though getting plenty of food, etc. You can even have both at the same time, in alternating intervals. I am not an expert at all this since I was just diagnosed in early October. I just found out I have prediabetes too. Just relax and try not to worry too much,, usually medications help both Hashimotos and Graves, although I have read Graves is more difficult to treat. I hope others can help shed more light on your questions, just in case I left something out or misinformed in any way :)

Jess

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Registered: 10-12-2006
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 5:38pm
Does anyone have information re: Dx. Hashimoto's with Graves? Is it harder to Dx. and is the testing different?
Thanks,
Baby-daughter
Avatar for jessie_sherman
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 9:27pm

I do not know a whole lot about Hashimotos and Graves coinciding, but I did read that when a thyroid has cysts in it, it can cause Hashimotos. Later, when the cysts burst, a large amount of thyroid hormone is released, resulting in a hyperthyroid episode. I *think* that is how a person can have both forms of the disease. I will try to find the website where I read that and post it tomorrow.

Jess

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Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 11-07-2006 - 4:50pm

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/hypoandhyper.htm Here is a link explaining how you can have both Hashimotos & Graves. It is not the same site I had read before, but it says pretty much the same thing. I hope this helps!

Jess

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Registered: 11-01-2006
Wed, 11-29-2006 - 6:38pm

Hi all,


Just thought I would update you as to what this meant. Calley you were right, its Hashimotos.

Deb

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Avatar for cl_calley7
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Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 11:20pm

Hi Deb,


My understanding is that Hashimoto's is usually treated with the normal thyroid meds (such as synthroid or Armour).

 

Calley7

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