Lithium and RAI

[thyroidbride]

I am wondering if anyone who had RAI was given lithium beforehand?  Or knows anything about this?  I am having RAI in a little over a week for pap thyroid cancer, and my mom was at her endo today for herself but asking some questions about it for me, and the endo told her that she gives lithium with the RAI to her patients to help the RAI stay in the thyroid tissue.  I guess there are a lot of side effects though from the lithium.  So if anyone has also had lithium with RAI please post!  

[AR-10]

Never heard of that.

There may be a medical advantage to doing so, but I would balk at the idea of taking the Lithium.

I wonder what she means by "stay in the thyroid tissue"? I wonder if it draws it into the thyroid and leaves less to acumulate in the saliva glands and a few other places they mention at the last minute.

There may be an advantage, but I have never heard of the practice.

[thyroidbride]

yes, my initial reaction to the idea of taking Lithium was also no way.  but I am wondering if it would just be given to me with the RAI and I wouldn't know beforehand.  I haven't had any contact with nuclear med and won't until the day before treatment.  so the paranoias are dancing in my head.

[AR-10]

I think it would have to be two seperate pills, but I'm not sure. The iodine is liquid in a capsule. Not sure if mixing in lithium would be possible or prudent.

Lots of folks here have had RAI, so you should get plenty of input.

I would like to see some research showing an advantage to doing so. You'd think if it helped, more doctors would be doing it.

But who knows? Not I.

[nissah46]

I had liquid and pill but I have no idea what was in it if there was anything other than RAI