I
just got back from the doctor. Diagnosis: hyperthyroidism, most likely
Graves Disease. Either I can have surgery to remove the thyroid and
then take drugs for the rest of my life, or I can take a radioactive
pill to 'kill' the thyroid then... take drugs for the rest of my life.
We also can't TTC for at least another 6 months under the threat of
severe birth defects, and when we do eventually get pregnant I will
most likely be considered high-risk.
Boo.

DS1 born June 2008 | m/c at 9w March 2011 | DS2 born April 2012
Re: Update to post about significant weight loss post-pregnancy.
Wow! That sounds serious. How much weight did you lose?
I hope you get a second opinion. Either of those decisions sound pretty big to me! And I'm sorry that you'll be considered high risk the next time. I'm high risk too and it's not fun.
I'm sorry.
I have hypo and have been on meds for about 4 years; you really do get used to taking them every day.
My old boss had Graves and had her thyroid removed, she did great after.
Good Luck with whatever you decide!
I'm sorry, that's really a bummer. What are you leaning toward? Neither option sounds too appealing.
i'm so sorry
my uncle has graves disease, but it has the opposite effect on him--significant weight gain. i remember he has done some radioactive treatments, but that was a while ago. i'm not sure how he's treating it now.
anyway, good luck in whatever you decide to do. chronic illnesses are so scary to deal with at first. i'll be thinking of you.
TMs1st - right now I'm leaning toward just taking the meds. If I'm going to need pills in either outcome, surgery seems unnecessary, kwim?
DS1 born June 2008 | m/c at 9w March 2011 | DS2 born April 2012
Ditto all of the above except I've been taking meds for my hypo for 7 years (and had significant weight gain) and it was my coworker who had theirs removed and did great afterwards.
That sucks, Nilla, I'm sorry.
Keep your chin up, though!
aokiedokie
Oh vanilla:(
I especially hate when my favs post bad news. As pp said, keep your chin up. I'm so glad this is a fixable problem.
DS1 born June 2008 | m/c at 9w March 2011 | DS2 born April 2012
That stinks
oh vanilla, I'm really sorry to hear that. I would be sorry anyway, but this really speaks to me because I am having fertility problems myself.
My advice, to comfort yourself, would be to google very specifically things like "got pregnant with Graves Disease" or "conceived with hyperthyroidism." That way, you'll come up with success stories to bookmark and read when you feel low.
((hug)
I'm sorry. I had a similar experience and diagnosis several months ago. I had insomnia, heart palpitations and weight loss that couldn't be explained by BFing. Turns out mine was hyperthyroid and Hashimotos, not Graves. My doc and his thyroid specialists chose to wait it out and see if they hyper resolved itself (by killing the thyroid) as it does in most postpartum women who develop it. I was put on heart meds for the palpitations and said to not get pg and come back for more bloodwork in a few weeks/months. It's still on my to do list.
I hesitated to do anything more, because either option requires me to stop breastfeeding and I wasn't (and am not) ready to do that.
Best of luck in getting on the road to feeing better.
I'm sorry to hear that. I have Hypothyroidism (rapid weight gain) and have been on meds since I was 16 (12 years). I did not have to have my thyroid removed, but I do have to get u/s of it every 5 years or so. We did not have any problems getting preg, thank god, but they did have to up my meds by 100 mcg's. I am still currently on the higher dosage and it will most likely have to be raised during this preg.
I hope everything goes well for you.
I was diagnosed when DS was 8 months old after several Dr's and thousands of tests.... I have Graves. I was on 12 pills a day along with heart meds. I was off the heart meds after 2 months and now.. 1 10 mg pill a day. I am JUST NOW feeling MUCH better! I refused to d the radiation treatment and I am so glad I did! One way or another you will be taking meds. If you do the radiation treatment you will need Synthroid and your thyroid will not come back. IF you just treat with the Methimazole you haven't done anything permanent and that option is always out there later on. Hang in there! ((Hugs)) As far as TTC?????? We are TTC but no luck so far (5 months) but I also have ovarian issues. I am praying for a little miricle again! Good luck! fee free to PM me if you need to talk or have any other ????'s
I have two friends that did that pill---just know you can't have any human contact for 3 days---can't even use regular utensils. Have to have a very restricted diet during that time (like no iodine). Just crazy stuff. Worst is not seeing the little ones from what I hear. Not sure about risks of the surgery but if it were me--I'd probably go with the surgery only b/c that much radioactivity scares me like crrrrrraaazy. Esp if you want additional children.
I'm so sorry 'nilla!!!
My new "mom" blog: http://realityofamommy.blogspot.com
[img]
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
Notes: