Are there any natural approaches for a youngish woman (3 who might possibly have Graves disease?  My daughter went to the ER last night, and it was not the first time, thinking she was having a heart attack.  She has had panic attacks frequently for more than a few years, and last night they could only find that her thyroid levels were very high.  Her blood pressure has been on the high side of normal for a while, and she has not felt well for quite a while.  I got up early to look up Graves, and it appears that most Drs. do a radioactive kill for the thyroid, while some try anti-thyroid meds first.  Has anyone out there had any experience with this?  Of course, now she has to see a specialist, but I wanted to get some info if possible before hand.  Thanks in advance.

What blood type is your daughter, Trish44?  Does she BTD?

Debra

She does not follow the diet.  And I think she is an A like her father....not for sure tho.

The BTD Encyclopedia has a section on Graves thyroid disease.

I would get her on the BTD, before taking any drastic measures like killing part of her thyroid.

http://www.dadamo.com/wiki/wiki.pl?action=history;id=Grave's_Disease_and_secretor_status


http://www.dadamo.com/knowbase/PATHbase/depict.cgi?76

Thank you, I will look it up in the encyclopedia.  Just have not had time until today.  She took a quiz on thyroid.about.com and it was 63% hypothyroid.  Will be pushing the blood type diet, for sure now...

A person in her situation should not eat raw cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and broccoli.  Many people like to snack on those, and they tend to be slightly thyroid suppressive.  (Just checking!)  

She actually gets very sick if she eats broccoli.  Stomach pain and nausea.  Cooked cauliflauer does not seem to bother her.  But if it is thyoid suppressive, would not that be good for one who is hyperthyroid?  She will see a specialist this week hopefully.  I am looking forward to her being well!  And yes, she is an A.  I have to now look at the foods that she is eating, that are avoids, and give her the beneficial list to start with.

Quoted from trish44

She actually gets very sick if she eats broccoli.  Stomach pain and nausea.  Cooked cauliflauer does not seem to bother her.  and give her the beneficial list to start with.

this is very interesting as my O daughter has this same reaction to broccoli and cauliflower. quite the opposite of what it should be for her. so to get this straight, this could be a thyroid issue?
and i absolutely agree w/ MoDon on doing other things before taking drastic measures like killing part of her thyroid.
Keep us updated on how she's doing ok?

X-rays can be damaging to the thyroid.  Often x-ray technicians are unaware and do not protect this area of the body.  Has she had many x-rays recently?

Make sure she see a GOOD endocrinologist.  Check out Mary Shomon's site on About.com.  Everything you ever wanted to know about thyroid's is there....web address is thyroid.about.com.
There is a lot of good information there about Graves.
Jane

Yes, it appears to be elevated thyroid, and possibly Graves disease.  She has had panic attacks, very dry skin, racing pulse, and high blood pressure to name a few.  Yes, she is going to a good endocrinologist.  We will find out for sure then.  I really don't think she has had any x-rays recently.  I had a partial thyroidectomy when I was 43, so I understand the trouble is genetic..I had a benign lump, but so far, we see no lump on her neck.  Hope it is nothing serious.  I will keep you posted, and thanks for all your help!