Is it Graves' disease?

amother

Sun, Feb 11 2024, 5:09 am

My 19 year old daughter had low TSH levels and was put onto 5mg of Methimazole by an endocrinologist, this past week. The doctor said in a month to take blood tests again and check up with her.

(I offered to take time off work to go with her to the specialist but she insisted she could go on her own. )

Now I am left wondering, is this what is called Graves' disease? Or is it hyperthyroidism from another cause? How does one know, and does it matter?

Could it be tied to poor gut health? My daughter eats very "healthy" but DH and I think she is being too healthy in that she has eliminated too many foods. She eats mostly legumes fruits and veg during the week with some carbs like brown rice, quinoa. No dairy. Fish and fleishig only on Shabbos. Could there be any connection?

If you had hyperthyroidism did it improve with time? Get worse? Cause complications or other issues?

amother

Trillium

Sun, Feb 11 2024, 6:37 am

Maybe the endocrinologist or pediatrician can recommend a nutritionist that specializes in could be nutritional but best see a really good nutritionist who uses the bloodwork to determine

Along with the medication too

amother

NeonBlue

Sun, Feb 11 2024, 8:26 am

Can you follow up with a phone conversation with the doctor so they can explain more to you And give you a better understanding of what is going on and how to help her?

amother

IndianRed

Sun, Feb 11 2024, 8:30 am

amother NeonBlue wrote:

Can you follow up with a phone conversation with the doctor so they can explain more to you And give you a better understanding of what is going on and how to help her?

The doctor probably won’t speak to her mother if she’s 19. She’s not a child. Hopefully she’ll be adult enough to get the necessary information on her own. I know someone who developed Graves after being on a very restrictive diet for a long time. Maybe the best op can do is offer to pay for a good nutritionist.

amother

Sun, Feb 11 2024, 8:30 am

I'm not sure how to contact the doctor directly, but I told me daughter that I'd like to attend the follow-up phone call in a few weeks.

We are in Israel if anyone has recommendations specific to Israel as well.

amother

Lemonlime

Sun, Feb 11 2024, 9:07 am

There is blood work that can determine if she has the antibodies that indicate Graves’ disease. Your endocrinologist should run a complete thyroid panel including free t3/t4 levels . That will give the dr a full picture .

amother

Lemonlime

Sun, Feb 11 2024, 9:08 am

Adding- you should e have to wait a few wks . Bloodwork can be ordered and done right away so results are available at the next appointment

amother

Seagreen

Sun, Feb 11 2024, 9:15 am

Graves disease is when hyperthyroidism is caused by autoimmunity. Gut issues can cause autoimmunity. Restricting to vegan foods is often a symptom of underlying gut issues rather than a cause, but it can certainly become a cycle.

amother

Sun, Feb 11 2024, 10:07 am

amother Seagreen wrote:

Restricting to vegan foods is often a symptom of underlying gut issues rather than a cause, but it can certainly become a cycle.

What does that mean that eating vegan foods is the symptom rather than the cause? Can you elaborate?

She has never had gut issues. Could it be that the only symptom would be low TSH (and inconsistent menstrual cycle, which prompted the testing)?

My daughter heard a shiur from a rabbi who made dietary changes to get his health back. I explained to her that not everything that's right for a 55 year old male is right for her. Some things are universal like cut out sugar and sweet drinks, but other things like cutting out dairy are individual, As for going to a nutritionist, I've been to the kupa nutritionists and they are mostly about weight-loss, general balanced diet. Nothing too nuanced. BH my daughter is at a healthy weight.

amother

Sun, Feb 11 2024, 10:09 am

amother IndianRed wrote:

I know someone who developed Graves after being on a very restrictive diet for a long time.

I'm really interested to hear more about this. My husband has been on her case to not be too restrictive and it would be good to have more info on it.

amother

Sun, Feb 11 2024, 10:10 am

Thanks to everyone who responded. I'd be happy to hear more about experiences with hyperthyroidism, did it get better or worse in the long run, were you able to phase out medications, side effects, complications chas veshalom.

How common is this BTW? never had heard of it before.