<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

SUMMARY RE GRAVES DISEASE TREATMENTS:

My original post was written for a celiac friend, Sharon, who was recently
dxed with both celiac disease and Graves disease.  I was asking about info
regarding treatment of Graves and, in particular, whether the gf diet
will “cure” Graves disease, as I read this in the archives.

Thanks to all respondents!

I received 28 responses to my post re Graves disease and its treatments.
21 different people responded, 6 people responded more than once.

Of those, 9 people who did not have Graves disease responded and
12 people who had Graves, or an immediate relative had Graves, responded

Those who DID NOT have Graves gave the following responses:
check delphiforums (1)
please send all the responses directly for another friend who needs same
info (1)
get a second opinion from another doctor (7)
Graves disease is too serious to treat with diet (2)
Check particular websites for more info (2)

Websites given:
 WebMD
 http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/graves_disease/54943
        http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1222_1.cfm


Those who DID have Graves disease gave the following responses:

7 of the 12 were dxed with Graves prior to CD dx
5 of the 12 did not respond to this question or were not celiac

8 of the 12 had radiation treatment for Graves and are now on Synthroid
1 of the 12 had surgical removal of thyroid for treatment of Graves
2 of the 12 were given medications for Graves treatment.
[1 of those went into remission, and 1 was expecting to see remission in
the future.  The 1 expecting future remission was a child whose parents
tried the gf diet along with the meds, but the gf diet did not help
(however, the child was not celiac).]
1 of the 12 treated himself nutritionally, but was not celiac.  See the
following websites (read also the warning disclaimer there) re his
treatment of Graves:
 http://www.ithyroid.com/
        http://www.ithyroid.com/hypert_recovery_story.htm
(tho one might not consider using this info for their total treatment,
there was some very good info re particular vitamins and how they might
help or hurt Graves recovery.)

3 mentioned hearing that gf diet could help, but they were already treated
with radiation by then.

Other suggestions/comments:
 Besure Graves isthe correct dx before agreeing to the treatments (1)
 Forget herbal remedies (3)/Try herbal or supplemental remedies (2)
 Look into treatments other than radiation therapy first (3)
 Prednisone is helpful (2) / Prednisone is not helpful (2)
 Thyroid irregularities are connected to childbirth (3)
 Graves disease is connected to stress (2)
 See specialist eye doctor for Graves connected eye problems (1)
 Celiac diet compliance affects thyroid functioning after thyroid
treatments (3)


The trends tended to be the following:
Most people (8 of 12) who had graves disease had the radiation therapy.
Celiacs tended to be dxed with graves disease before being dxed with celiac
3 out of 12 connect their Graves disease to pregnancy
10 out of 12 with Graves disease were women
A number said it took about 6 to 12 months to recover after the radiation
treatments

My conclusion:

It appears that the radiation therapy can be a safe and effective treatment
for Graves disease.  Though some evidence exists that the gf diet can help
with thyroid functioning, there is no concrete evidence to suggest this is
a better way to go than other traditional treatments.  Nutritional
supplementation might also be helpful for Graves disease treatment,
especially if one uses it in conjunction with Graves disease medications.

Because of space concerns, I am not sending the full responses.  If you
would like copies of them, please write and request them.

Thanks to all for your input and help.  Sharon will have a lot to consider
before deciding which was she will go.
Diane

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