RAI treatment and eye disease

[Terry927]

I had RAI treatment yesterday for my Grave's Disease.  I have mild eye disease that is aggravated when I am not medicated with Tapazole (10 mg/day).  I am concerned that my eye disease will get worse with this treatment but do not want to take prednisone for the related health issues that are associated with a steriod drug treatment.  My question is how frequently does the eye disease worsen during the RAI treatment.

[hypogirl80]

More than 70% Hyper people in US took RAI, and most of them are OK after. So, you won't regret although you see other opinions on the internet from time to time. especially, if you waited for a couple of years and knew that your hyper will not go away by itself. Anyway, about your eye, since you can not take prednisone, I guess the next best thing is Selenium. you can search internet about Selenium's  relation to Anti body,etc.....good luck .

[Terry927]

I hope that I will not regret this treatment.  Thank you.

[tm514]

I guess the best answer is frequently enough for worsening of eye disease to be connected to RAI, but it does not happen 100% of the time.  I have not seen anything written about a fixed percentage of eye complications from RAI, but have read on the doctor forum that is connected.  And, my own endo advised against RAI for me (I also have Graves Eye Disease) because he was concerned it would make an already bad situation worse.

It is likely that the Tapazole was controlling your thyroid levels which was helping with your eyes.  It probably wasn't the Tapazole itself that was helping  your eye condition.  Now that you have had RAI, hopefully you'll get your thyroid levels where they need to be and in turn you eyes will also settle down.  

I hope you are one of the many who do not develop worsening eye problems after RAI.  Good luck to you.