Graves
Posted , 3 users are following.
I was diagnosed with graves in 2011. Have been on methimazole since then. Dr. Said my pituitary is asleep. May have to have an MRI. Anyone else with this issue?
0 likes, 4 replies
Posted , 3 users are following.
I was diagnosed with graves in 2011. Have been on methimazole since then. Dr. Said my pituitary is asleep. May have to have an MRI. Anyone else with this issue?
0 likes, 4 replies
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linda187
Posted
You need to ask him why he thinks an MRI is necessary. I believe an informed patient is a proactive one and being proactive means that you will have the best outcome. Doctors are not Gods. They are educated mortals.
I am sure you are followed on a regular basis with thyroid blood tests. I always obtain a copy of the blood tests that are done on me and keep my own medical file.You can too. Ask for a copy of your blood results every time you have them done. This is part of being proactive. You can become an educated mortal too and make your own decisions after you have all information at hand..
Screwball21
Posted
linda187
Posted
TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. A low TSH result indicates an over functioning thyroid gland (producing too much thyroid hormone) and a high TSH indicates an under functioning gland, producing too little thyroid hormone. I know I found that confusing when I first heard of it because with most blood tests and diseases, it is just the opposite.
In the treatment of an overactive thyroid (which most commonly results from the autoimmune condition Graves' disease), it is critical to slow down the gland's excess production of thyroid hormones, especially the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). You feel normal on meds because even though the TSH is indicating that your disease is active, the medication you are taking is blocking the thyroid gland's ability to produce excess thyroid hormone.
An excellent source of information about this is Mary Shoman's site called About.com You can google that sentence or the name Mary Shoman and it will give you the site address. Mary is a very active advocate for thyroid patients because of her own experience with thyroid disease.
I believe that patients who take responsibility for becoming educated about their disease become empowered and are partners with their physicians in their health care. I believe they make better treatment choices and have better outcomes as a result.
linda187
Posted