Did T3 or cytomel help you before or after RAI?

[Justin1967]

My doctor hasn't prescribed T3 before or after I get RAI on the 14th Feb.. Should I be pressing endo to give me some.. Or did you survive without it?

[whittie918]

Just wanted to add, I'm not sue if this is now old info but my doctor will not give the shot for RAI the treatment of cancer.  Only for a follow-up routine test to see where I'm at.  He says there is not enough research to prove that it works just as well as the actual stimulation of your cells via the pituitary gland.

[whittie918]

I feel very confident of my Endo and trust his opinion.  He has been very aggressive from he get go and I liked that.  I took Cytomel from 11/29 until 12/14/07.  I felt just fine for about two weeks.  The final week I had minimal symptoms (cold, tired, a bit foggy).  I waited only as long as it took to get to a TSH of 30 (about 3 weeks). He initially was going to wait 6 weeks but bumped it up when he read the final path.  

My Nuclear Meds doctor seemed to just have guessed.  He ordered 160.  He said to just be on the safe side.  Like I said, my doctors have been totally aggressive from day one and their goal is to kick this cancer in the @rse the first time around.  He said that anything over 200 is just waste but did comment that for folks like me, they want to go excessively just in case there are cells that don't take up much iodine.  If you flood you system (as he explained) then they will most likely take in at least some.

I too had a bit of congestion that just would not let up but I'm not totally sure it was not from the surgery itself as it tends to swell that area of your throat and irritate it.  I'm not totally convinced that this "lung nodule" is not an old pneumonia scar.  Still, if it is in the lungs, there is not doubt in my mind I'll still be eventually cured.  It just may take a few extra treatments.

You should get a whole body scan a week after your RAI, that is when they check for metastasis. Either way, you will know your status after that.  There are lost of folks here that had similar stories to me with no further metastasis.  

[Joni65]

Hello

WOW   WEE  My surgical pathological report is very similar to yours.  I had a TT done on 12/21/07 and presently on cytomel until 1/11/08.  So when you stop taking the cytomel long long did it take before you started feeling those hypo symptoms?  How long did you have to wait after your surgery before they did your RAI?   How does a radiologist determine how much ___mic of RAI to give?  I have had a cough since 10/07 and CXR was normal, but I am going to push to have something done because I fear it may have metastized to my lungs!

Joni

[whittie918]

I took Cytomel a week after surgery to allow me 2 heal.  I can only speculate that it helps in some way and also allows you not to suffer for so long.  I also did help me feel fantastic too by the way.  Then I had to go off them to stimulate my pituitary gland to stimulate my TSH to stimulate my remaining thyroid cells while I follow a very strict LID diet waiting or the RAI in hopes I get the best possible uptake.

My final path says Papillary adenocarcinoma with follicular variant and metastasis in one of 5 lymph nodes.  Just got 152 mic of RAI yesterday.  CT shows nodule on lung so waiting on WBS to check that out.

I hope this makes sense, I'm 3 weeks without meds and sorta foggy.  

[Joni65]

Hello
On 12/21/07 I had a total thyroidectomy due to Papillary carcinoma which was diagnosed by FNA.  On 12/27/07 the endo gave me cytomel 25mcg one tab twice a day to be taken until 1/11/08 then I was to go cold turkey and on 1/24/08 he would draw some labs and on 1/28/08 he would see me in his office for a consult.  Now I guess at that time he will let me know what my TSH  level is and he hopes it will be around 30 if not he can give me a shot to boost the TSH higher.  I am not for sure when I will see the radiiologist/oncologist for the consultation re: radiation treatment.  My Final Pathological surgical report stated I have
1. Papillary adenocarcinoma of the right thyroid
2. Follicular - variant Papillary adenocarcinoma of the left thyroid
3. Metastatic thyroid Papillary carcinoma to two of the three lymph nodes that they removed
I am going to do some research to see what the normal treatment is for this type of cancer by looking on the internet and calling MD Anderson.  If I don't feel comfortable with this endo then I may have to find another one!  

Joni

[Justin1967]

I'm confused why did you doctor tell you to stop taking cytomel?  I thought you are allowed to take cytomel before RAI.. How big were your nodules?
I'm only doing RAI because my nodules were multi-focal..

[Joni65]

Hello

I do not know when I am going to be scheduled for RAI, but my endo gave me cytomel 25mcg one tablet twice a day from 12/27/07 through 1/11/08.  I will not be on anything after 1/11/08 until after the RAI and then I will be prescribed something!!   I am trying to educate myself on thyroid cancer and what to expect before and after the RAI.  If you have any other questions please ask I would love to help!

Joni

[ifupleze]

You  might post the question to GravesLady or to Dr. Lupo on the left hand side of the forum page.  I have not had RAI so I can't help you, but others here have.  I'm sorry no one has answered you, yet.  Keep trying.