Thyroid Scan

[KimP]

Hi I'm new here, I've been being treated for Hypo for about 6 yrs.  I just had an ultrasound done on my thyroid.  My Dr. has now ordered a I123 Radio iodine Uptake Scan.  She did explain this to me but I am still a bit confused.  Has anyone ever had this test done.  If so can you explain how it is done, and the reason it needs to be done.  

Thank you so much.
Kim  (a bit scared)

[Sally113]

I have gained about 50lbs in the last year and I'm tired alot.  I had a thyroid scan back in April and it showed the right side of my thyroid is full of tumors.  I can feel them in my neck, and they feel like they are getting larger.  I joined weight watchers 5 weeks ago and really stuck to the program, and yet I lost nothing.    My doctor ordered an I 123 scan and I went today.  I had to swollow 3 capsuls and then come back 4 hours later for the scan.  Tommarrow I go back again in the morning for another sort of scan on my tyroid that will show how much iodine was absorbed.
I want to know if anyone out there has had simmilar side affects of a thyroid that wasn't functioning right, and what they did about it.  I have to lose this weight,and I need your help.  Also I saw an advertisment for some thyroid medicine on an info comercial that you could order to speed up your metabolism and I wonder if that worked for anyone.  I think it was called Thyroxcine or something like that.  
Thanks for your help,
Sally113

[ar1281a]

It sounds like what I had done when I got Dx. It's painless and fast. For me, the annoying part was not been able to move as you have to lean on something that will test your thyroid's activity/inactivy. It lasted no more than 5 minutes, so don't worry, it'll be over before you notice it.

[BROWN8379]

I HAD THIS DONE AND THE MEDICANE WAS JUST A PILL I HAD TO SWALLOW.  IT WASNT THE FUNNEST THING IN THE WORLD TO GO THROUGH FOR THE REASON YOU HAD TO JUST SIT THERE BEING STILL SO YOUR THYROID COULD BE SCANNED.  NO PAIN WAS ENVOLVED.  MY THROID DIDNT ABSORB HARDLY NONE OF THE IODINE.  I HAVE EXTREMLY LOW TSH LEVELS

[Nicole05]

It sounds like your doctor just wants to take a scan of your thyroid.  It's just like getting an x-ray or MRI (probably more like a MRI because you will probably be laying on your back).  You take the iodine first because this makes the thyroid visible to the doctor.  Your thyroid is the only part of your body that absorbs iodine.  The iodine glows on the scan and that way your doctor can see your thyroid. The iodine is not harmful and the scan shouldn't hurt a bit! Nothing to be afraid of!

If your doctor has suggested you have the radioactive iodine treatment to destroy part or all of your thyroid, that is a different story.  I'm not saying it's painful because it's not but it has numerous health implications and I would advise you to get a second opinion before you go thru with it.  (I've had it and am severely hypo now - but I did need it).

However, it sounds as if your doctor simply wants to do a scan so he can look at a picture of your thyroid.  There is really nothing to it and the whole procedure shouldn't take more than 15 minutes from start to finish.