POST RAI

[VA814]

My wife had the RAI last 08/31/12 for hyperthroid/Graves disease. How long will it usually take for her to become hypo and could start the hormone replacement. Ever since she had that procedure done, her quality of life spiraled down (Anxiety, depression, fatique, apathy, etc). She is taking xanax for sleep nightly. Here are her lab work post RAI.

TSH ranges (0.450-4.500)
FT4 ranges (0.82-1.77)
Total T3 (71-180)

9/14
TSH (0.016)
FT4 (2.30)

10/25
FT4 (1.75)
T3   (113)


11/14
TSH  (0.030)
FT4  (2.82)


12/01
TSH (0.014)
FT4 (1.95)


12/17
TSH (0.016)
FT4  (1.49)
T3 (135)

Thanks.
I appreciate your opinion.

[Ericamegan]

I had RAI and started going hypo about 3 1/2- 4 months afterwards. My dr at the time was uneducated and let me get too hypo.  He was focusing on TSH.   After RAI my TSH became useless and did not correlate with symptoms!  

Both her FT4 and T3 are within range.   What symptoms is she having now?  What's her resting heart rate?   The next time she retests, have her request the Free T3 instead of T3.  It's a more accurate indicator of thyroid levels.

[FTB4]

What is the MD saying about this?, you would think she should have run out of T4 by now, even her Free T3 is high for someone that was supposed to have the thyroid destroyed by radiation. three months is too long, her thyroid is still functioning from what I see. I hope other more educated members will look at this but it does not appear that the RAI has worked.
Normal changes in thyroid levels with thyroid replacement Hormones show up in six weeks. I would check back with the MD and throw a few questions his way, and if this is normal, he should inform you of what and when to expect improvement so she can live without these symptoms. Best Regards FTB4