Result higher after RAI

[Hazyp]

Hi everyone,


I'm feeling really bad...I had RAI on 17th May, and at first I didnt feel too bad, but I have been getting the palpitations back and manic feelings again.

I had bloods drawn yesterday and my doctor has just called me, she said the hospital had phoned my results through to her as they were so high...

T4 39.2
T3 15.4
TSH unreadable...to low

I was really hoping I would be getting better, but the results are higher than before I had the RAI.

Does anyone have any answers? I would appreciate your help.

Hazel

[Smilerdeb]

It does!
Did the Doc suggest anti-thyroid meds for a week or 2 ?
I went hypo basically around the 5-6 week mark.
Levels dropped fast and its well known fact that the thyroid tries to 'fire up' before going hypo.
The little bugger tries one last time lol
Hugs xxxxxxx

[Hazyp]

Its really nice to hear of people who have had the same problem, thank you!

One odd thing I have though, is my whole body aches....I thought this was usual with Hypo, but not hyper....I've got another 2 weeks off work, and I'm hoping I will be feeling well enough to return...but I'm worried I wont be.....my company is being really good with me being of work for this length of time, but I worry that I wont ever get better...I feel so achy and tired all the time....

I've phoned my boss a couple of times, and on each occasion I was feeling a bit better and reassured her that I'd be back really soon...but a day or so later I'm back to feeling dreadful again.....

Can someone reassure me that it will get better!!!

[Ericamegan]

I had RAI on Feb 19th and had to take Propanalol for 2 1/2 months after because of rapid pulse, sweating, and nervousness.  I was never on anti-thyroid meds though.  I am feeling much better within the last month, but have still not gone hypo after 4 months!  My levels are on their way down, but for some people it just takes awhile.  Hopefully things start evening out for you soon!

[Smilerdeb]

I cant comment as you havent posted the reference ranges and they differ from country to country and lab to lab.
Post them here if you can.
As for the Doc not knowing what Thyroid Storm is...get rid of her!!!
If your levels are very high....get on the PTU until they start coming down but a lower dose than what you was on prior to RAI.
Ask the Doc about the dose.
This is just a temporary thing until the thyroid levels come down.
Usually 1 -2 weeks.

[Hazyp]

I've just got back from the doctors....she didnt even know what thyroid storm is! Are the T4 and T4 levels really high...I dont know how high they can go.

I've got some more Propanolol...if I dont take the PTU will I get worse?

[Smilerdeb]

I agree with Utahmomma.
Usually when levels are that high, they put you back on anti-thyroid meds until the RAI settles down and also a beta blocker.
I have known of 3 members here who went hyper after RAI and then within a week was hypo.
It is usually where the thyroid 'dumps' before going Hypo.
Get on the Inderal and I would also ask to go back on the anti-thyroid meds for a few weeks to get those levels down and the tsh back up (readable).
Its only been 4 weeks since you had RAI so that would be the most likely explanation.
Another scenario is that the dose of RAI you had wasnt enough to start ablating the thyroid.
Either way...you do need anti-thyroid meds to bring those levels down.

[Hazyp]

Thanks for your reply! yes, I'm really worried about thyroid storm, I've looked up the symptoms...I do have the palpitation, and feel anxious....not got a temperature or high BP though.

I'm just off to the doctors to get some Propanolol now.

[utahmomma]

Talk to your doctor about going off the thyroid meds for a few days and on a beta blocker for a while (probably a month or so).

Your TSH that low is putting you at risk for thyroid storm which includes palpitations, high HP, sweating, etc. and can be fatal if not treated.

I had something very similar happen after I went back on my meds after RAI.