I'm in Remission!

Haha, sounds serious, huh?  Well, it is good news.  My Graves' Disease (hyperthyroidism) is not showing up on my blood work and I may be able to go for years without any trouble with my thyroid!  My doctor says that I have a 50/50 chance of never needing treatment again.

For more than two years I took medicines to suppress my over-active thyroid (Methimazole and a beta blocker).  Then when I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease, treatment for my thyroid disease got shoved to the back burner.  3 months ago things had become pretty stable with Addison's and my doctor decided it was time to see if I could go without taking thyroid meds.  And it worked!  I'm doing great, my thyroid numbers are perfect, and I'm hoping that this lasts!

Our endocrine systems are a complicated network of glands in our bodies that work closely together.  They are the pituitary, thyroid and adrenals.  Other organs perform secondary endocrine functions (like kidneys and heart), but these are the main endocrine glands.  They control growth, metabolism, mood and also tell other glands in your body when and how to work.  My thyroid decided it wanted to work overtime, and my adrenal glad decided it didn't want to work at all.  As far as I know, my pituitary gland is working just fine. 

If you're wondering, symptoms of Graves' Disease include:

·        Rapid heart rate, or palpitations

·        A feeling of over-stimulation

·        Hyperactivity/increased energy.

·        Tiredness

·        Insomnia

·        Tremor

·        Weight loss

·        Increased appetite

·        Weakness

·        Shortness of breath

·        Increased sweating

·        Heat intolerance

·        hair loss

·        Brittle nails

·        Gastrointestinal symptoms

I had a constant stomachache, was never cold, was dizzy and shaky and I often felt like my head was spinning.  When I walked up a flight of stairs I felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest.  My thyroid was puffy and swollen, and sometimes I felt like I couldn't swallow.  I ate ALL the time but never gained any weight.

It's funny, Addison's Disease shares a lot of the same symptoms.  That's why I kept asking the doctor to test my thyroid last summer when I didn't feel well.  I think I went back 3 times telling her that something was wrong with me, but all my thyroid tests came back fine.  It turns out not all doctors know what they are doing.  But that is a story for another day.

I hope my experience can help others!  It's no fun to go through something like this and not know what's going on with you.  I am so happy that I don't have to deal with thyroid issues right now- and I'm praying that it stays this way!