Regrowth of thyroid tissue after Radioiodine?

[Marie515151]

Thirty-seven yrs ago, I had Radioiodine for goiter/hyperthyroidism.  I was told that I was overdosed and had no obvious thyroid tissue left.  I was euthyroid for many years, on a consistent Synthroid dose.  Over the past 2 + yrs, my dose has been gradually reduced due to low TSH's.  I am now totally off of Synthroid.  I am returning to an Endocrinologist for an evaluation.  In the interim, I would like to know if it is likely that I am regrowing a thyroid and what is the probability of cancer?

[gimel]

Hard to believe that there would be thyroid tissue re-growth showing up and causing problems after 20 years, especially overnight, as you mentioned.   I know that several of those symptoms are usually regarded as hyper; however, they can also occur with hypothyroidism.  So please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report, so we can get a better idea of your status.  Also, what thyroid med are you taking and what is the daily dosage?

[Snrfix]

I was diagnosed with Graves Disease when I was 28 and had the RAI treatment performed. I am now just a couple of weeks from turning 48 and my symptoms are back. I can't sleep, depression, weight loss, itching shins and rapid heart rate. I go to the doc next week to do labs. I can't believe it has returned and did so almost overnight...

[gimel]

Just noticed your post and wondered why you feel the need to consider a thyroid gland transplant, which I have never heard of before.  Are you taking thyroid med now?  If so how much daily and what type?  We could give you a better assessment if you will post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.  

[jjtsh]

how could that happened. Miracle. God bless you. I am thinking to have thyroid gland transplant.

[Smilerdeb]

I think it would feel 'strange' not taking the meds after 37 years.
I know I sometimes forget to take my thyroxin and have taken it at lunchtime and gone into a panic until I have taken it.
Theres no logical ethical reason for the panic as I know I can make the dosage up over the 'week' if I did by chance happen to miss that one day but not taking it after 37 years...well I think that experience would be harrowing, wondering if all the 'hyper cr@p ' was going to come back.
In all honesty, I think it would cause a bit of anxiety if I was in your shoes.
I hope that you are doing ok and got no hyper symtpoms.

[stella5349]

I am kinda curious to know on how you are feeling  being removed off your thyroid meds?

[redheadaussie]

As smilerdeb says above, it is unlikely but not impossible.
  The one test which looks for cancer is thryoglobulin. If you didn't have cancer to start with when you had your thyroid RAI'd then it should not be an issue. But if it comes back as high numbers then you have a problem.
  How long ago did you stop taking the Synthroid? If only recently then you may find over time you may go hypo. What dose was your lowest dose with 'normal' test levels?
  If you did have any thyroid tissue regrowing it could be producing its own hormones. Also, and more likely having a pituitary tumor either releasing too much or too little TSH can cause you to think you have a regrowth of thyroid tissue. These type of tumours are far more common than most people realise. They are NEVER cancer. Just a pain in the butt! They are treatable.
  The fact you had RAI makes me  more inclined to think a Pituitary problem. If you had a thyroid removed surgically that would be more the issue of regrowth.
   Cheers and good luck.
  

[Smilerdeb]

Here is my views on this but please be aware that I am no Doctor.

It was known years ago that RAI was destructive (moreso than today) and that once ablation was done, then no more thyroid.
But it has been known too in the past few years that sometimes RAI doesnt completely kill off the thyroid and that there can be some activity left in the thyroid.

I cant comment on 37 years ago as I am only 49 years old myself but my guess would be that if the thyroid was to 'fire up' again, you wouldve happen long before now.
Sometimes other autoimmune diseases can 'spark up' the TSH and so too can the Adrenal glands.
You say you are on no synthroid yet dont say what your FT3, FT4 and TSH is.
Do you have those numbers?

In the case of 'probability' of cancer...no-one can answer that question.
They can only perform tests and yes, I guess it would be possible for remnant tissue to have cancer cells but surely this wouldve been picked up a long time agao.
(I am only guessing here).

I have seen many cases of cancer in my life and have never seen anyone die of a thyroid related cancer.
It is the most successful and curable cancer you can get.

There are other autoimmune diseases such as Cushings syndrome that can affect levels too.
I know this is of no comfort to you but I guess the best thing to do is wait until you see the Endo...but do get him to run another antibody test and the normal tft test.
All the best.