Just diagnosed with Graves' after months of symptoms I ignored — scared but hopeful
Hey everyone. First time posting here, just needed to share this somewhere people understand.
So I'm 36 and just got diagnosed with Graves' disease after months of symptoms I kept brushing off. Lost 6kg without trying, constant sweating, hands trembling so bad I couldn't eat properly on a plane, legs so weak I struggled to put my pants on in the morning. I just thought I was stressed and tired.
What finally caught it was a rash that sent me to the dermatologist. He ran some labs and my TSH came back undetectable and free T4 almost at 6. Went to the clinic, HR was 120 at rest. They admitted me for risk of thyroid storm and AFib. Spent a few days in the hospital — scary doesn't begin to cover it.
But here's the thing that got me through it: my family. Being back home with the people I love, having them around during all of this — it made everything feel manageable. I'm so grateful I wasn't alone when this hit.
Follow-up confirmed Graves' — TRAb of 29.1, diffuse goiter, T3 through the roof. Now I'm on methimazole 40mg/day and propranolol every 8 hours. HR is coming down to the 80s. Tremors almost gone. Starting to feel like myself again.
And honestly? Knowing this has a treatment — a real path forward — changes everything. It's not a death sentence. It's a detour.
My big goal right now is getting my HR stable and getting back to running. My wife and I have a dream of doing the Disney run together and I am NOT giving that up. That finish line is my motivation every single day.
For those who've been through this — how long before you felt well enough to exercise again? And for anyone with high TRAb at diagnosis, did you make it to remission?
Thanks for reading. Glad this community exists. 🙏