Mike's Grave Disease PageGreetings, and welcome. This page contains some information concerning Grave's Disease, and alternative methods of treatment. Grave's Disease is very serious, and should never be treated lightly. I have included a layman's description of the thyroid, Grave's Disease, and allopathic treatments. There are a couple of articles from the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine which explain this in more specific terms, and may be of use to a naturopathic doctor treating a patient with Grave's. There are also descriptions of some of the herbs associated with Grave's Disease. Using herbal remedies properly is a complex subject, and specific to each patient. I do not advocate persons attempting to self-treat themselves. What I would suggest is that people copy this information and use it to work with their naturopathic doctor or medical herbalist to heal themselves. At the bottom of this page are some links for sites relating to Grave's disease and thyroid disorders.
A long time ago the daughter of a friend of mine developed rheumatic fever and it had complications affecting her heart, etc. Her mother tried to ask some questions of the specialist, and his attitude was "I'm the specialist; who do you think you are to be asking ME questions?" In my opinion, if you come across a doctor like that, leave. Ask a LOT of questions, and keep asking until you get the answers you need. Don't take 'NO' for an answer. The doctor may be a very competent, knowledgeable person, but at the end of the day s/he goes home and this affects your future, health, and life. Don't be rushed into anything.
As for me, I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease over 10 years ago. At the time, I was managing a field study for wildlife rabies control comprising nearly 40,000 square kilometres. I was working on average 14-15 hours a day, 7 days a week. One day my pulse went from 65 to 120, literally overnight. I went to see an MD, and the allopathic choices for treatment were explained. I tried taking PTU (propylthiouracil) for three months, and it had no effect on me at all. At that point I went to see a naturopathic doctor for the first time. We began working on a treatment for me and within a few weeks my heart rate had slowed and the other symptoms abated. I did not take anything further for five years, although I was conscious of my diet and my stress level. In 1996 I was laid off from work, and my stress level and my heart rate jumped again. I returned to working with a naturopath, and we continue to help my body to heal itself. As always, I am conscious of my diet and my stress level, and I practice Taoist tai chi on a regular basis, daily if I can. I would caution anyone considering using herbal remedies or alternative therapies to control their Grave's that it is not a free ride, nor is it a quick fix. You have to be prepared to make a serious investment in your own health. Some things you can do for yourself include watching your diet (stay away from table salt and foods that have a lot of iodine in them), avoid sugars and caffeine (what, no chocolate?!) and taking the time to care for yourself. There are 168 hours in a week; what you do with them is up to you. If you used to be a real 'go-getter', you will not be able to push yourself as hard as you used to. Doesn't mean you become a couch potato either. Regular, gentle exercise is important. I've been practicing Taoist tai chi for several years now, and it has been a great benefit. You have to become more aware of your body and care for yourself. Eat well, sleep when you need it, and put yourself first. Good luck!
Mike Pedde
(click on the title of any article to go to the original page)What is Grave's Disease?
What's this I've heard about Grave's Disease and Aspartame?
Inhibition of Endocrine Function by Botanical Agents (from the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine)
Clinical Analysis Thyroid Function Testing: Dealing with Interpretation Difficulties (from the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine)
Some Herbal Remedies associated with Thyroid Function
Disorders of the Endocrine System (by Dr. Emmett E. Miller, M.D.)
Get To Know Your Endocrine System (by Lauri M. Aesoph, N.D.)
What Your Thyroid Hormone Pill Does (from the Thyroid Foundation of America, Inc.)
Waking Up to Coffee's Effects on Heart Disease(by Michael J. Klag, M.D., M.P.H.)
Smoking Affects Graves' Disease Treatment(from Annals of Internal Medicine 1998;129:632-635.)
Things You Can Do for Thyroid Eye Symptoms(by Debby)
Mind as Medicine - How to use the power of thought to control pain (by Peter S. Staats, M.D.)
Hyperthyroidism List Supplement List (by John Johnson - a list of nutrient supplements that may help people with hyper/hypothyroidism)
Echinacea: When Should it be Used?
Relation between Therapy for Hyperthyroidism and the Course of Graves' Ophthalmopathy
Thyroid Storm - Medical Definition
Conventional Treatment Options in Graves’ Disease
Hyperthyroidism May Complicate Asthma Treatment
Total thyroidectomy does not enhance disease control or survival even in high-risk patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.
The Paradox of Cytokines--Immune System Friends or Foes?
Waxing and Waning...But Not Quite Like the Moon
The RAI-Uptake Test and Scan
Healing Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders
The Side Effects of Antithyroid DrugsMedication Errors: An Exposé of the Problem
Editorial: Safe Medical Treatments: Everyone Has a Role
Some Thyroid Related Links:
(please let me know if any of these links become invalid)
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
American Medical Association
American Osteopathic Association
American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstruction
American Thyroid Association
Antibiotic Therapy Online Support Group
Antithyroid Drugs (What do antithyroid drugs do?/ Are there any side effects?)
Antithyroid medications
(Drug is prescribed for the treatment of an overactive thyroid gland. Read up on brand names, side effects and proper usage)
Artificial Tear Solutions (Discusses the proper use and function of this topical relief for dry eyes and highlights special considerations)
Ask Dr Stoll - 1997 Graves Disease post archive
Atomic Women (a message board for people who are considering or who have taken RAI)
Beta-blockers and Thiazide Diuretics
(Explains the function of this drug used against high blood pressure and specifies brand names and possible side effects)
Beta-Blockers, Oral
(Explore the many generic brands that produce this blood-pressure reducing drug and find instructions for proper use)
Cancer Mortality and Adult Hyperthyroidism...[Abstract, July 22/29 JAMA. 1998;280:347-355]
Carbimazole and the Thioamide/Thioureylene family
Centre for Reproductive Medicine, University of Bristol
Congenital Hypothyroidism
Controversial Aspects of Thyroid Disease
Does The Treatment Of Hyperthyroidism Worsen Thyroid Eye Disease?
Dr. Emmett E. Miller, MD
(Dr. Miller has some good information on healing the person rather than the symptoms or the disease)
Dr. Koop's Community - Hyperthyroidism Resource Center
(This site has some good information on thyroid disorders, a BB, and a chat line)
drkoop.com: Conditions & Concerns: Hyperthyroidism
Dr. Paul Fitzgerald - Grave's Disease
Drug-Induced Lung Diseases
Elaine Moore's Web Page (Elaine has a LOT of knowledge on the thyroid and thyroid disorders, and is the author of a book on thyroid diseases, Living with Graves' disease, Allopathic and Alternative Suggestions for Healing. Well worth visiting.)
Endocrine Diseases: thyroid, parathyroid adrenal and diabetes.
(excellent site, with lots of information on the endocrine system and disorders)
Endocrinology Bibliography (some books on thyroid disorders, etc.)
EyeNet (American Academy of Opthamology)
(click on Public Information, and follow the links from there)
Factors affecting optimized radioiodine therapy
(B CATARGI et al.: European Journal of Endocrinology)
Fifty Years of Experience with Propylthiouracil-Associated Hepatotoxicity: What Have We Learned?
Focus on Hyperthyroidism
Glossary of Thyroid Related Terms
Graves' Disease
Graves' Disease
Grave's Disease Info (Debby's page on Grave's)
Graves’ Disease Resource Page (by Dianne Wiley)
Has the Target Autoantigen for Graves' Ophthalmopathy Been Found?
(note you will have to register to read this document - registration is free)
HealthAnswers Medical Reference Library - Radioactive iodine uptake
(radioactive iodine uptake is a test used to diagnose Grave's disease)
Hypertension and Antihypertensive Therapy as Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
(possible association of beta-blockers with diabetes) Also this link
hyperthyroidism@eGroups.com
(an e-mail list for people seeking to control thyroid disorders with alternative means)
Hyperthyroid
Hyperthyroid
(A Self-Help Guide For Nutritional Healing)
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
(a very technical but good site on hyperthyroidism)
Hyperthyroidism - Diagnosis and Management of Graves Disease
Hyperthyroidism -- David Hoffman - HealthWorld Online
Hyperthyroidism: drugs, iodine, and surgery as treatment options
Hyperthyroidism: signs, symptoms, diagnosis, causes and treatments
Infertility - A Couple's Survival Guide - Effects of Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
InteliHealth - Home to Johns Hopkins Health Information: Thyroid
InteliHealth : Iodine
iVillage.com: The Womens' Network | Message Board Central: Better Health
(scroll down near the bottom of this page to find a bulletin board on Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, and Thyroid Cancer)
Larrian Gillespie, M.D. Interview / Part I - Thyroid Disease
Linking Environmental Agents to Autoimmune Diseases
Lyme Disease Misdiagnosed As ... and Other Diseases/Conditions and Lyme Disease (Links Only)
Mayo Clinic - Department of Ophthalmology
(information on the effects of Grave's on the eyes)
Merck Thyroware
(an interactive computer program showing thyroid function and disorders. It's pretty technical, but interesting.
Available in German and English (European and North American versions))
Molly b.'s Thyroid Pages, hyperthyroidism, thyroid cyst and multinodular goiter
(another page from someone who's been there...)
Mortality after the Treatment of Hyperthyroidism with Radioactive Iodine -- NEJM 1998; 338: 712-718
(abstract of an article from the New England Journal of Medicine)
AACE.COM: AACE Publications: The Press Room: An Important Clarification Concerning the NEJM Article That Purports to Show
a Connection Between the use of Radioidine and Increased Mortality in Patients with Hyperthyroidism
(a rebuttal of the above NEJM article by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists)
My personal battle with autoimmune thyroid disease (Graves Disease and Hashimotos Thyroiditis) by Pam Brisse
National Grave's Disease Federation
(lots of good information and links)
New England Journal of Medicine
(click on the search page, and type thyroid or hyperthyroid in the Subject line)
Nuclear Medicine Primer - Radioactive Iodine Therapy
Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis: Key Issues
(having hyperthyroidism can have an effect on having osteoporosis, although a lot is not yet known)
Pregnancy & Thyroid Disease
(Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can affect a woman's ability to become pregnant. They may also cause a miscarriage if they are not quickly recognized and properly treated.)
Primary Care Teaching Module: Hyperthyroidism
(a little technical - based more toward doctors, but good information)
Propylthiouracil
Propylthiouracil Tablets
Radioactive Iodine
Radioactive Iodine Therapy Not Linked To Cancer Deaths
Radioactive Iodine Treatment For Hyperthyroidism
Radioiodine and Thyroid Eye Disease - Use With Caution
Road Back Foundation
RxMed - Common Illnesses - HYPERTHYROIDISM
Screening Methods for Thyroid Hormone Disruptors
Sleuthing a Thyroid Mystery
Southampton Medical Group -- Hypothyroidism
Stevia -- The Natural Sweetener - HealthWorld Online
Success Rate of Radioiodine Therapy in Graves' Disease: The Influence of Thyrostatic Medication
Support-Group.com: Graves' Disease
(an active bulletin board on allopathic treatment of Grave's Disease -
with a very long list of rules and regulations about what, where, when and how to post messages.
Anything relating to alternative medicine, or denigrating RAI will be removed from the board)
T3 Drugs Improve Quality of Life - Thyroid Disease
The Immune Issues
The Leland Clinic Hyperthyroid Information Page
The Thyroid Foundation of America
The Thyroid Foundation of Canada
(publishes Health Guides on Thyroid Disease)
The Thyroid Society
Thyroid Awareness Month
Thyroid Disease and the Eye
Thyroid Disease - Bookstore
(some good suggestions of books on thyroid disorders)
Thyroid Disease - Home Page
(a very good page, with links to alternative medicines and therapies)
Thyroid Disease Manager
Thyroid Book Chapters (geared for doctors, but very good information on the thyroid and diseases)
Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid Function Tests
(a very good site for information on thyroid related blood tests, etc. A little technical, but worth reading)
Thyroid Information Center Web Ring
Thyroid Patient Advocate Says Tipper Gore Case Shows Undiagnosed or Undertreated Thyroid Patients Need Better Information
Thyroid Scan
Usefulness of Screening Program for Celiac Disease in Autoimmune Thyroiditis
USP DI Vol. II - IODINE, STRONG (Systemic)
What is Thyroid-Related Orbitopathy?
(from the American Academy of Opthamology)
Thyroid-Related Eye Disease
Thyroid Related Web sites
WebMD - Thyroid Diseases
X-Rays, a Major Cause of Cancer
Some Thyroid Hormone Replacement Links:
CYTOMEL® (lythyronine sodium) - Jones Pharma
CYTOMEL® Pharmacology - Jones Pharma
Dear Doctor: Why Do You Insist on Synthroid Instead of Armour? -- A Patient's Letter
Dr. Bob's Psychopharmacology Tips - Thyroid replacement
Euthyrox - EM Pharma
Levoxyl® - Jones Pharma, Inc.
Levoxyl Pharmacology - Jones Pharma, Inc.
SYNTHROID®
Levothyroxine - Infomed
Levothyroxine Sodium - RxList
Levothyroxine Sodium - U.S. Pharmacopeia
Synthroid, Armour and Thyrolar Update
Synthroid Home Page
Thyroid Hormone Information Resources
Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy - Endocrine Metabolic Concultants
Thyroid Hormone Replacements - Mediconsult.com
Thyroid Hormone Treatment - The Thyroid Foundation of America
Thyroid Hormone Interactions
Calcium Carbonate and Reduction of Levothyroxine Efficacy
Effects of long term treatment with sertraline (Zoloft) simulating hypothyroidism in an adolescent.
Elevated Serum Thyrotropin in Thyroxine-Treated Patients with Hypothyroidism Given Sertraline
Thyroid hormone levels affected by time of blood sampling in thyroxine-treated patients.
Thyroid Hormone Replacement and Foods, Supplements and Other Drugs -- A Q&A on Interactions
Some Links on Other Alternatives and Their Uses
Alternative medicine
Alternative Medicine - Balm - Herbal Health Products
Bugleweed
Bugleweed - MotherNature.com Health Encyclopedia
Christopher Hobbs - HAWTHORN FOR THE HEART - Health
Christopher Hobbs - The Heart Herbs - Hawthorn and Graves
Hawthorn For Congestive Heart Failure- HealthWorld
Henriette's Herbal Homepage
(use the Search feature and search on thyroid)
Herbal Remedies for your Heart
Mineral and Trace Elements Absorption
PHYS: All in the Timing: Are You Wasting Your Supplements? Put Your Metal to the Test
Some Tai Chi Related Links
Brief Description of T'ai Chi Ch'uan
How to Overcome without Fighting
International Taoist Tai Chi Society
(there are several different styles of tai chi; this one is devoted specifically to health improvement and is the one Marcia and I practice.)
Qigong & Tai Chi Internet Resources
Taoism and the Philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan
Some Soy Related Links
Concerns Regarding Soybeans
Mike Fitzpatrick PhD: Soy Article
Soy Online Service
Does Soy Have a DARK SIDE? (interesting article concerning soy and thyroid problems)
(another link for the same article)
Soy Isoflavones as a Nutritional Supplement
Some Flouride Related LinksA crack appears in the fluoride front -- After surveying the growing evidence, a high-profile advocate has second thoughts about the safety of fluoride.
Congressional U.S. Testimony on Flouridation
Fluoride: Hidden Danger in Your Drinking Water and Toothpaste - Thyroid Disease
Fluoride: risks and benefits? (Disinformation in the service of big industry)
Green Tea, Fluoride, and the Thyroid
HomeThis page perpetually under construction. Last updated September 27, 2000