Becoming a nurse w/ Graves Disease?

[fascinoma]

Feedback, anyone?

I've been diagnosed with Graves Disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism). Soon I'll be getting radioactive iodine ablation to treat this condition, and then I'll take thyroid pills the rest of my life. Once I'm treated and they figure the right amount of thyroid hormone to give me, I expect I'll be fine.

When I started experiencing symptoms, I decided not to become a nurse because I figured I "couldn't handle it". I thought I was mentally ill, I had worsening anxiety, I had heart palpitations all the time. It is a relief to find out what the reason was, and now I've decided to pick up where I left off before I started having Graves symptoms.

How will the board look at this diagnosis, since it seems like they'll use any physical condition to keep people out of nursing school?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Since thyroid conditions are very common (especially in females), I wouldn't worry about it. I have had thyroid disease since 1998, and it has never kept me from fulfilling my dreams. I was able to be admitted into school, even with Graves Disease.

I was diagnosed with Graves Disease in 1998, at age 17. After 7 years with no resolution, I opted for the radioiodine ablation in 2005. I now take levothyroxine every morning, and feel pretty good. It is harder for me to lose weight now that I am officially hypothyroid, but it feels good to be free of the palpitations, nervousness, sweating, and anxiety.

[1776patriot]

When I worked on a GI/GU med floor we had 2 RN's with Graves, 1 with Ciliac disease, 2 with DM, 1 with Chrones. (and a couple that were mentally ill but thats another story )

The Graves RN never seemed to having any medical issues that prevent them from working to my knowledge. Infact both were excellent RNs.

I wish you the best and try to keep in mind that most people have one or two things wrong with them.

P

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Soon I'll be getting radioactive iodine ablation to treat this condition

Be aware that once you receive the radioiodine ablation, you will be considered 'hypothyroid.' The 'hyperthyroid' symptoms of Graves Disease will likely disappear.

[loricatus]

Feedback, anyone?

I've been diagnosed with Graves Disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism). Soon I'll be getting radioactive iodine ablation to treat this condition, and then I'll take thyroid pills the rest of my life. Once I'm treated and they figure the right amount of thyroid hormone to give me, I expect I'll be fine.

When I started experiencing symptoms, I decided not to become a nurse because I figured I "couldn't handle it". I thought I was mentally ill, I had worsening anxiety, I had heart palpitations all the time. It is a relief to find out what the reason was, and now I've decided to pick up where I left off before I started having Graves symptoms.

How will the board look at this diagnosis, since it seems like they'll use any physical condition to keep people out of nursing school?

Graves disease and relacement hormone therapy (Synthroid) are not reportable conditions-it is nobody's business about this but yours. Good Luck on nursing school.