RAI or removal

I am not very knowledgeable in this area.  I have an enlarged diseased thyroid with a nodule that I am awaiting an FNA.  If the biopsy comes back beningn, is there any reason I couldn't just do RAI to get rid of my enlarged thyroid instead of surgery?  Why would they ever do surgery (when cancer isn't present) when RAI will shrink it to nothingness?  Can someone fill me in?  I guess what I'm asking is... couldn't you just get RAI instead of surgery to get rid of your thyroid gland?

[mommy2two2008]

I am asking myself that same thing now.  My ENT suggested to me today that I can have my thyroid removed at my leisure.  It would beg the question of RAI v. surgical removal since my last surgery (although minor surgery) resulted in a week hospital stay for a staph infection.  Don't think I'm gonna run out and get it removed just yet.

[blksapphire]

I do not have the answer, but I will give you my experience.

I have (had?)  two hot nodules, whereas the endo wanted to do RAI treatment.  I had rai treatment December 2007 and I am still trying to get to some type of normalacy.
I try not to compare myself with others, but I know of two other who had their thyroid removed and hasn't had much problems.  Keep in mind that there are different outcomes for every person.

keep us posted

[Smilerdeb]

I had RAI and then TT (keyhole) emergency at the time.
3 months after RAI, the thyroid was removed via keyhole surgery using Epidurals in the neck and a light sedative. I had 1 steristrip and the scar is at the side of my neck and not the front.
I went in at 6am, in theatre at 7am, and home by 4pm all on the same day.
My thyroid 3 months after RAI was the size of a small kids marble.
Prior to that , my thyroid twas wrapped around my windpipe.

Yes RAI does shrink it and even though it takes a while to balance meds, I am feeling great!
The secret to recovery and well being is knowing this disease inside out, knowing yr symptoms and recognising them before you crash to Hypo after RAI.

I was hypo after 5 weeks and my Doctor never let me crash to Hypo.
My Endo...well thats a different story! She got fired the day I had RAI.

I have been treated by my Doctor since RAI (june 2008) and TT (Sept 2008) and have now gone back to fulltime work, 7 months later.
The first time in over 2 years!

But I must mention that I am one of the lucky ones I guess.
Some take forever to get their levels right after TT or RAI.
Everyones body is different in how it reacts to each treatment.
No two people are the same.

But my NY resolution was to 'get back my life' and I have.
I still have some excess weight from the ATDS prior to RAI but I feel that my health is more important and that to deal with each problem..one at a time.

More than anything I can honestly say and mean it....There IS light at the end of the tunnel.

I am happier now than I have been in years.
And thats coming from someone who suffered Agoraphobia for over 20 years and conquered it.

I hope that gives you some insight on all this.

[nasus6161]

I had found a large lump in the left side of my neck and a CT scan showed a 4cm nodule on the left side of my thyroid which was pressing again my trachia.  After a biopsi, it was found the growth was benign and the doctor gave me the choice of watching it or having it removed.  RAI wasn't even given to me as an option.  Since it was something that should not of been in there, I chose to have it removed.   In August of 2008 I had the left side of my Thyroid removed.  He found not only the 4cm nodule but several smaller nodules behind it.  I did have to stay in the hospital over night but let me tell you, this was the easiest surgery I have ever had.  I was cut about 4 inchs in the front of my neck and had a drainage tube for three days, but I can say i had no pain at all.  I was only off work two weeks.  Here I am 5 months later and my scar is barely visable.  I would do it (have surgery) all over again.  Since I still have 1/2 a thyroid, I am not taking any medications and I feel great.....

[pholdy]

I was originally dx'd w/ multi-nodular non-toxic thyroid w/graves disease in Dec 06.  

I have had two doses of RAI, the first in Jan. 07 and it did not work at all.  Had a second  larger dose in Feb. 08 and it  worked somewhat - left lobe ablated but not the right side of Thyroid.  

Nodules continued to grow on right lobe and cause a multitude of problems w/ heart, eyes, ears, throat etc.

I then opted for the surigal removal of the right lobe - Dec. 03, 2008.  When removing right lobe they confirmed nothing but scar tissue where left lobe was as the RAI had worked on it.

I've experienced both options and have felt 100 times better since the surgery.  Will have my 1st set of labs done in 2 weeks and am sure they will be normal or close to it.

In hindsight I wish I would have had the surgery 2 years ago when it was first offered.  As the last 2 years have been awful for me.  I was lucky (compared to others that post here)  as I had a terrific surgeon, no side effects and minimal scaring(sp?) and I finally feel like my "old self."

Of course everyone is different and you must chose the option best suited to you.

Good Luck!   P.

PS I've learned more on these boards than from my endo.  The members are very knowledgable