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Thyroid Disorders Community
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Subclinical Graves + radiation pill?
by kfor24, Jun 06, 2008 03:38PM
I have subclinical Graves (don't have my exact numbers but they are just barely hyper and I've had the radioactive uptake which showed Graves). I've reacted to the methimazole and the PTU (severe itching). Now my endo is suggesting radiation pill. I asked if I could wait b/c I'm asymptomatic and she said no. Is this true? It's hard to imagine taking radiation for a disease I can't feel. Why can't I wait?
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It seems that a second opinion would be in order if your doctor hasn't taken the time to explain the urgency.
It could be that you have several antibodies in very high numbers and it is just a matter of time befor you go full blown hyper, which you have stated you cannot tolerate medication for.
If you become extremely hyper the RAI will be less effective, and you will likely have to do it more than once.
Is your TSH of 0.7 a big improvement over previous tests, or is it average? I'm assuming it has been a lot lower if you have been on meds.
Cheryl
I think the reason they wanted to do rai is because I can't take the medication and they are thinking if my disease gets worse then the rai might not work as well? My understanding is that patients who are in full-blown Graves take medication for a little while to calm it down before rai and I can't do that given my reaction to the drugs.
Does that make sense? I have to call my doctor tomorrow for my numbers b/c I don't know them but both the nuclear doctor and my endo thought I should do it.
Still I'm concerned...
Please post your actual labs.
TSH - T3 - T4 - ask if they did a TPO or a TSI and get those numbers as well also. IF no TPO or TSI was ran - GET IT! before the RAI.
No symptoms?? This is a hard call for me - and I may get flack - but I wouldn't do it unless the tests prove definate. and I would still - after looking back in my own situation with Graves .. maybe see what the future would hold with my own body.
I had shotty testing - only TSH and uptake - no TSI's -- NO NOTHING .
BUT -- I had severe heart palps and stoke possibilities... Again this is very hard to advice on.
All I know is I was given the cards I need to deal with now.... and I am trying to get myself back on what ever track makes me feel right for my future