SMASH AND BURN

Graves’ Disease, still known as a mysterious disorder, can trap individuals on their journey to maintaining a healthier lifestyle. The time is here to SMASH AND BURN those cigarettes. This post will describe the danger smoking can cause in developing a goiter, developing Graves’ Ophthalmopathy, and dangers for relapse. The diagnosis of Graves’ is stressful enough because the patient is facing definite life changes. People smoke for different reasons, including habit, social contact, and relieving stress. With the population at large attending counseling on smoking cessation, many individuals suffering from autoimmune disorders have not kicked the habit. I want to tell my experiences as a smoker and the affects with having Grave’s

 

SMASH AND BURN THOSE CIGARETTES

About ten years before the diagnosis of Graves’ Disease, I lost approximately forty pounds simply cold turkey. I was busy working in a restaurant, and trying to raise my daughter. The physical aspect of my job leads me to feel nothing is wrong. I am energetic and life is normal, however, things are not fine. As time escapes me, one day after a routine check-up I am given the news that I have a goiter. I have my annual blood work, and all results are normal. My understanding is people get goiters as they get older. I am in my mid forty’s, so no big deal. Just put some extra neck cream on, and the problem is solved.

 

DANGER OF TOBACCO

I am around other smokers at my job, so SMASH AND BURN are not easy for me. I really do like to smoke and feel there is plenty of time to stop. Now, years later, I understand the danger and effect this has on my thyroid. Tobacco contains substances that affect the function of the thyroid gland. Smoking inhibits the absorption of iodine, hormone production, and excretion of iodine from the kidneys. The process can cause inflammation of thyroid glands. The bottom line is, if I continue to smoke, I am at a higher risk of thyroid enlargement, and poorer responses to my treatment plan. Getting support, and educating yourself is my recommendation if you suffer from any autoimmune disorder and smoke.

 

DEVELOPING TAO

I am given a radioactive iodine scan in the beginning to confirm my condition of Graves’ Disease. The iodine capsules were a low dose but the procedure causes some damage. In my opinion, from conversations with my endocrinologist, if I didn’t smoke my chances of not developing Graves’ Ophthalmopathy are slimmer. A strong risk factor for developing TAO, “Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy”, is smoking because of certain cells secreting substances affecting other cells. Key features include inflammation and responses to treatment. My left eye is larger than my right eye, and it’s not so much the bulging effect as my right eye looks lazy.

 

INFLAMMATION OF THYROID GLANDS

My doctor tells me that this will go away in time but the longer I smoke, and how many cigarettes I smoke will be a contributing factor in clearing the eye disease up. I truly can vouch for that on days where I feel the stress and smoke more my left eye is larger. My sinuses are inflamed, and more mucus develops in my chest. You get the drift because this leads to inflammation of the thyroid glands. After viewing treatment options, radioactive iodine is not a recommendation because the risk of progression with the eye disease is high. I am currently taking Methimazole, and the goal of remission is a slow process.

 

RISK OF RELAPSE

In the beginning, I am given a goal of six months to a year to reach remission. As I mention, the danger of relapse is high because of smoking. I am almost five years into dealing with Graves Disease and Grave’s Ophthalmopathy. My anti-body levels fluctuate between 500 and 700 with normal being 140 and lower. The journey includes relapsing three times and numerous flare-ups. It is nothing for a flare-up to last approximately a month. Cigarettes contain many chemicals that stimulate the immune system, causing negative reaction to the thyroid. Chances are the risk will decline for non-smokers, so please take my experience serious. If you are a smoker with Graves’ your risk is high for relapse. If you are a smoker with Graves’ and choose radioactive iodine as treatment, your risk is even higher in developing TAO.

 

REPERCUSSIONS

A patient with thyroid eye disease will not respond well to treatment, and you will feel like being on a bad roller coaster ride. The temptation will come knocking at your door on bad days. Hopefully, realizing the repercussions of picking up a cigarette will provide that extra incentive of saying “NO”. Reach out to your primary physician for programs, and other resources helping to reduce how many cigarettes you smoke and eventually kicking the habit. Becoming a non-smoker will improve your health, but only you can make that decision! I want people to look at me with a smile, not a look of fear because of bulging eyes! Many pictures exist on the internet, so put that Google searches to good use on your journey to remission! Please don’t forget to SMASH AND BURN those cigarettes!