Hi Elaine, First I wanted to say that your new site is wonderful! :) You had actually helped me with a question regarding the necessity of the Thyroid Uptake Scan in June 2007. I was so sick and could not win my argument about having the TSI test instead and succumbed to the RAI uptake test which did confirm my Graves. I have since then "divorced" that endo and have been treated by a new endo since last summer. He is very knowledgeable and is happy to keep me on the methimazole as long as I would like- thank goodness! I'm currently taking 5mgs of methimazole daily and have a Free T4 of 1.2, Total T3 of 124 and a TSH of .04. My levels have been pretty consistent since last December. I've had ups and downs of strange muscle aches, but other than that, no problems from the meds. I have not had my TSI done at any point since my diagnosis. The endo seemed to think I should only have it done to try to predict if I can go off the ATDs.

Although he is one of the top thyroid doctors in the field, like most doctor, he is really not helpful when it comes to a more holistic approach. He has asked what supplements I'm taking and then will respond "you don't know what is in that stuff", so somehow I think if I check with him he is going to just tell me the same thing. Consequently, I've really been on my own researching diet and supplements and get a bit nervous about taking anything new. Since my eyes keep getting worse, I've been determined again to try to eat better and add some additional supplements with the hope they might help my TED.

Therefore, I'm wondering if you could help me with a few supplement questions. I've read through all of your posts in suite101 and found your recommendations and have found some other sources on-line. I am currently taking 1000mg Calcium Citrate (I'm lactose intolerant) with 400IU of D , Magnesium Citrate 400 mg, B50 complex, probiotics, and flax seed oil. I did try L-Carnitine for a few weeks in January right around the time I wasn't feeling well with muscle aches- I'm not sure if it is a coincidence. I'm thinking of starting the L-Carnitine again and would also like to add Selenium and maybe copper (or a multi without iodine for both of these). My concern with what I've read about Selenium is that according to digitalnaturopath.com, "It appears that taking selenium without iodine will result in a decrease in production of Thyroxine, although there may be an initial transient increase in T4 to T3 conversion and hence higher T3 and seemingly worse hyperthyoidism" Have you heard of this? Is there anything else I should be concerned with in adding any other recommended supplements of multi vitamins. The multi vitamin I have has 200mcg of Selenium and 1mg of Copper (I also have a 200mcg of Selenium that I could take alone- I bought it a few months ago and have been afraid to take it!) Any advice would be greatly appreciated! My TED is really bothering me.

I can't even begin to tell you how much I have appreciated all you have done for those of us with Graves and Autoimmune diseases. Thanks again, Susan