thyroglobulin

[2241Elite]

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1994, went through five rounds radiation.  Blood work up has been fine for many years.  Had to switch Dr due to new insurance, he ordered thyrogen injections while on medication then a body scan last week.  Scan was "fine", but thyroglobulin came back at 29.1.  Now doctor says "I would like to do a thyroid scan off the thyroid Medication Which is more accurate And see if there is any tissue And consider a treatment if there is positive tissue."  Just wanting another opinion... on a course of action.

[2241Elite]

I do not remember what the measurement was, but there was a small spread to lymph nodes.  I'm hoping for a short time off my meds too.  Did you have to go on low iodine diet, as well as off meds?  Best of luck with your scan...

[redhed87]

Sorry- I read your thread wrong- I am extremely hypo right now.  I have heard of incidences of high thyroglobulin and negative scans on thyrogen.  That's why I chose to go off my meds.  IT sucks, but you want the most accurate results. Good luck and I hope if won't be that long for you either.

[redhed87]

YOu could do thyrogen or go off meds.  They want your tsh to rise to 25-30.  I thought this would be a 4-5 week thing, but after only 3 weeks off meds, my tsh last Monday was 47.  It is much higher now- my doctor was sick and didn't come back to work until Friday. I am going to get my scan sometime during the first part of this week be fore my levels get too high.  I think this is the best course of action for you.  How large was your tumor and was it in any lymph nodes???  Good luck.

[2241Elite]

I had a total thyroidecotomy in 94 due to pappalary thyroid cancer, had 5 rounds of RAI over several years.  It has been many years since I have to go through this, so is it stilll about 8 weeks off meds, before the scan?  Thanks for posting...

[utahmomma]

I've also been told that "off meds" (we like to call that hypohell 'round these parts) is also more accurate.

Two things:
What type of thyroid cancer did you have?
Five rounds of what type of radiation (I-131 or RAI as we call it or external beam radiation)?

These will help me answer your question a bit better.

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03
recurrence and RAI '06 and possibly '08
three sisters with papillary carcinoma (one with three recurrences and distant metastases), another sister and my daughter with precancerous thyroids

[nissah46]

I think the test off medication is more accurate.  Did you have a total thyroidecotomy?  If so, you shouldn't have any thyroglobulin. The presence of thyroglobolin can indicate a reoccurance, so that is probably why they want the more accurate test.  Good luck.
Trish