allergic to iodine

[kleighc]

I was recently diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer and will be having a Thyroidectomy, my problem is the Radioactive iodine.  I am deathly allergic to iodine and I can't have the treatment.  What other options are there for treatment.  Also, there are issues with my cervical lymphnodes and I can't get my insurance to approve a PET scan.  I would appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Karen

[nissah46]

Wow, you guys have your hands full.  As long as you let the surgeon know about your allergy to the iodine, he or she can plan any further treatment around that.  There is something , I think it is called External Beam Radiation, which is sometimes used for thyroid cancer. It is something you can investigate.  Good luck to you and your sister.
Trish

[kleighc]

Trish,
Thanks for the info,  I am appealing the ins. decision.  I have had a hard time getting the nurse to send the info to them, but I called again today and it has been sent.  I heard from my sister who has been researching, that the level of iodine in the RAI is very small.  I see the surgeon next Wed.  I need to get all of this taken care of so my mom can go and help my sister, whos lymphoma just came back.  If you or anyone else has anymore info on the iodine let me know.
Thanks
Karen

[nissah46]

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  You may not need any RAI. The pathology report will let the doctor know if it is encapsulated and the size of the growth. As for the PET scan, could  you appeal the decision of your insurance.Good luck.
Trish