Thyroid Disease (goiter)

[strenght81]

Does anyone here have Thyroid issues? My mom has Goiter and I was wondering what would be the best treatment. Her doctor suggested surgery but I feel surgery should always be the last resort for anything. I know of a medication that reduces it (ptu, I think)and radiation is a possiblity but that comes with complications as well. For those of you who have Goiter what were the treament doctors recommended and how did it work out for you?

[cabellera]

I personally was so miserable from the symptoms of Graves Disease that I opted for the radiation treatment for a faster resolution. It worked, all symptoms ceased. I then preceded to be on Synthroid for the rest of my days, but those crazy symptoms along with my goiter were gone.

I suppose I was so relieved to have the symptoms gone, that I didn't notice any side effects from the radiation treatment. There definitely was no real recovery time, other than I needed to stay away from pregnant or nursing women and small children for a 48 hour period due to the radiation. No big hospital bill. No down time.

I haven't regreted that choice in treatment. Then again, my symptoms were severe due to earlier mis-diagnosis and I needed to do something fast. So that influenced my decision greatly. The reduction of the Goiter will be gradual, but your Mother will be under a Specialist care and they'll monitor the results from the treatment.

[zora]

I have been struggling with this for the past five years. Had radiation, but didn't work. I can't give you a suggestion, cuz different things work for different people. I wish I had cabellera's luck.

I am surprised your mom's doctor would consider surgery as first line of treatment, since most doctors love to ram radiation down your throat.

I think your mom should ask the doc more questions and also join an online support group. Look into the yahoo groups under 'hyperthyroidism'. Good luck to you and your mom.:)

[strenght81]

Thank you all for your response. My mom has goiter but she is overweight, she does have nervosness, High BP and other symptomes related to hyperthyroidism but no weight loss. As a matter of fact she can't even lose weight. It's really strange, has others experienced this as well?

[cabellera]

strenght81, check out this site http://thyroid.about.com/library/links/blthyroid.htm

It'll have information on goiters, hyperthyroidism, symptoms and treatments, etc.

When I had Hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid, I couldn't keep weight on. However, after RAI treatment, it's hard to take it off. After treatment for hyperthyroidism, many develop hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid, which comes along with a wealth of issues of its own. Fatigue, weight gain, dry brittle hair (breakage), anemia to name a few of the culprits.

Good Luck to you and your Mom!

[Much2much41]

There are herbal remedies that she might want to try. One is called Alvidar and it is all natural. It will take about a month before results are clearly visible, but it certainly doesn't hurt to try. Anything is better than surgery, IMO

[cabellera]

There are herbal remedies that she might want to try. One is called Alvidar and it is all natural. It will take about a month before results are clearly visible, but it certainly doesn't hurt to try. Anything is better than surgery, IMO


Have you had favorable results with Alvidar?
http://www.alvidar.com/

[Much2much41]

Have you had favorable results with Alvidar?
http://www.alvidar.com/

My cousin used it, and it worked well for her. They want you to avoid certain foods that suppress the thyroid (not that many), drink lots water, and work out moderately. She lost about 25 pounds in a few months. It also ranks really high amongst the thyroid herbals. There's another one that rates higher, but they use actual glands from animals :barf:. I just can't deal w/that :ohwell: