hyper active thyroid / graves disease

[scubaaaronh]

Ok i have decided to do the uptake and it is scheduled for nest tuesday. I need this done i have to much going on and want to get in the water now that the ice is gone.

 

[Cruisin Home]

1) Have you had an Ultrasound of your thyroid? You say "enlarged" but can it be nodular? Ultrasound is a primary diagnostic tool in these cases.
2) have you had a nuclear study (inject a radioducliide and then image for half hour to determine uptake)? Or any other imaging study?
3) Have you had a fine needle aspiration biopsy?

These are often steps that are taken in the diagnostic process and certainly pre-surgery. Graves or graves like symptoms (hyperthyroidism) can be caused by a nodule (either malignant or benign) pressing on thyroid. Given your gender/age it would be prudent to ask for consultation on these matters.

 

[scubaaaronh]

1) Have you had an Ultrasound of your thyroid? You say "enlarged" but can it be nodular? Ultrasound is a primary diagnostic tool in these cases.
2) have you had a nuclear study (inject a radioducliide and then image for half hour to determine uptake)? Or any other imaging study?
3) Have you had a fine needle aspiration biopsy?

These are often steps that are taken in the diagnostic process and certainly pre-surgery. Graves or graves like symptoms (hyperthyroidism) can be caused by a nodule (either malignant or benign) pressing on thyroid. Given your gender/age it would be prudent to ask for consultation on these matters.

Had the ultra sound it was almost three times the size it should be. they did a few different blood tests. No nodules the doc said. They did the study and i did the uptake the next day a week ago now. Just waiting for the next appt and get cleared for diving. Guess i had a pretty good doc here in Grand Rapids.

 

[TSandM]

scubaaaronh, it sounds like you had a good physician indeed!

Not all hyperactive thyroid disease is due to nodules; much of it is due to primary thyroid disease (Grave's). If preliminary imaging doesn't show a focus of abnormal activity, no biopsy is required.

Once your thyroid medication is properly regulated, you should be able to go back to diving without difficulties.

 

[scubaaaronh]

Thanks ts & m i have been a little concerned about all this stuff. The doc i had is supposed to be a pretty top notch doc in the area. His name is Douglas Notman and been doing this for over 40 years. When i asked around all the Med people i talked to think his opinion is gospel pretty much. My wife is an HR director for a nursing home company in the area and a few of the nurses worked with him and said if he told them to cut off their big toe to remedy a sore finger they would do it. He had item all over his walls from magazines articles he wrote. Being in the top ten endocrinologists(sp?). never seen anything like that in an offce before. He also teaches at the local Med schools. He understands diving with the problem which totally surprised me. I didn't understand at first how he knew i was a diver. He was doing the ultrasound and said no more diving as of today. It can increase your dcs hit risk. Then i realized i wore a dive hat to the shop. He noticed it and told me to be out of the water. I didn't even think about it. So after putting it all together i decided to do exactly what he said

What can cause the thyroid to do that? One site said it can be caused by eating to much seafood? Is that possible? i have been trying to find info on it and haven't found anything to informative.

 

[lulubelle]

Hi Aaron, glad you found the right care and are on the right path to feeling better. I am really happy that you are going to follow your doctor's advice and avoid diving until he clears you. You had me worried there for a bit.

I just wanted to add a comment in general which is not specific to you to benefit other readers of this thread. People think of thyroid conditions as being relatively benign because everyone knows someone who has a thyroid problem. But for those who are hyperthyroid, and not treated, there can be some very serious events associated with it such as Thyroid Storm. Thyroid storm - PubMed Health You do NOT want this to happen when you are diving. It is important that you be euthyroid and your disease stable before you dive. Sometimes this takes a few months.

I hope you are feeling better soon and that your doc gets you back in the water soon.

 

[TSandM]

Most thyroid issues are not due to anything you did . . . there are some problems that are related to poor iodine intake (iodine is necessary to form thyroid hormone) but these problems are rare in today's world, where table salt is iodized. The problems that result in OVERactive thyroid are generally either tumors or autoimmune problems, neither of which is clearly attributable to anything the patient did. As they say, s*** happens.

The good news is that, aside from the very rare aggressive thyroid malignancies, virtually all thyroid issues are manageable, although they may require lifetime medication. You may require a brief period out of the water, until your metabolism is stable, but you will not be permanently banished from diving because of your thyroid.

 

[Cruisin Home]

Had the ultra sound it was almost three times the size it should be. they did a few different blood tests. No nodules the doc said. They did the study and i did the uptake the next day a week ago now. Just waiting for the next appt and get cleared for diving. Guess i had a pretty good doc here in Grand Rapids.

You do have a good specialist indeed (had to ask because not everyone does). Atlthough rare, these things must be ruled out. As for your condition it is not the end of the world. Should take a small amount of time to get you "dialed" in. You should also notice (feel) a significant difference.

Good luck!

 

[lulubelle]

I know you probably feel pretty rotten right now, but to echo previous comments, this is not the end of the world, you will be feeling like a champ soon, and once things are squared away you will be diving again.

I'd also recommend that once your thyroid levels are stable and you are back to diving, that you discuss with your doc how often you should have your levels checked, given that you are: 1. a diver and 2. will be newly treated, perhaps requiring a number of adjustments in your medication.

And not that this is diving related, but you will need to see a good eye doctor, or tell the one you already have if you have one, that you have this diagnosis. Most endos recommend a yearly eye exam even after all is stable.

Good luck.