RAI

[GHA]

To Kipland and anyone with input.

Kipland, I'm continuing this from the appointments thread.  You've been very helpful.  

I've been on the LID and without meds since 9/16.  I have a blood test this Friday and my first scan on Monday.  I'm scheduled for the RAI on Wednesday, 10/3.

Will the first scan tell them how much thyroid tissue I have and determine the RAI dose?

I had three areas of cancer on my left lobe and two on my right.  It was a combo of papillary and follicular.  Not sure if that makes a difference in level of RAI.

Gerry

[kipland]

They gave me 30mCi, so I was only in isolation for 2 days.  I knew that the surgeon had left a small bit of thyroid tissue that was wrapped around a nerve.  Obviously, he did a great job getting the rest of it, though!!  You're lucky that you don't have to come off your meds.  I felt so awful for weeks!!  I hope your RAI is smooth sailing!  

Keep us posted.

Lori

[JoanFowler]

Lori,

Thanks for providing all your info, as I will be doing the RAI in about a month, although they are using the thyrogen injections so that I don't have to come off the synthroid.

What did your does end up being?

Thanks.

[kipland]

I can tell you what my experience was.  I had TT on 8/6 and went 6 weeks without any meds before RAI.  Needless to say, I was extremely hypo by the time it was time for RAI last week (TSH was 131).  I'll give you a rundown on what my week looked like:

Monday - they did neck measurements with the computer looking for thyroid activity.  Then they gave me a tracer dose of RAI, I waited and hour and they did the measurement again.  Had a chest x-ray and some bloodwork, then they sent me home.

Tuesday - whole body scan looking for thyroid tissue.  I actually had two scans done that day, then met with the doc.  They told me at that time how much the treatment dose was going to be by looking at the films from the scan.

Wednesday - one more whole body scan, then they gave me my treatment dose and sent me on my way.  

Friday - One last whole body scan that took half the time of the others.

Not sure how yours is going to work.  Do they have you set up for several scans?  I honestly don't know about the papillary vs follicular and whether that makes a difference.  I only had one nodule that was papillary cancer.  I do know that they told me my TSH had to be over 30 to have the RAI.  I was well past that!!

Hope that helps.  Keep us posted as to how it's going for you!

Lori