Thyroid gone missing?

[dazedconfused928]

First let me start by saying that my doctor has just diagnosed me with both Hashimoto's and Grave's disease. I began a beta blocker last week and this is the only medication I am on so far. This morning I went in for a RAIU. I took the radioiodine pill and after 6 hours I returned to the hospital to begin the tests. During the first picture they attempted to get of my thyroid the tech came over and asked me if I've taken thyroid medicine, had a scan performed in the last 4 months, or had my thyroid removed to all of which I answered no. This puzzled me. After the first picture was obtained, the tech moved me out from under the machine and advised me that the machine didn't pick up anything where my thyroid should be. We then began the RAIU which showed that my level was 0.7. The tech seemed very puzzled by this and told me that the tests were over and I could go home. I was in the room for all of 18 minutes.

What could results like this mean? I haven't been able to find any answers since I've come home and began to research. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated because I won't see my endocrinologist until Friday. Thank you in advance for any answers.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Low iodine uptake is caused either by thyroid inflammation, iodine contamination or ingestion of thyroid hormone without your healthcare provider.  Most likely in this case where thyroid autoantibodies have been detected in the blood it is an autoimmune thyroiditis.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Sounds like autoimune thyroiditis, hyperthyroid phase.
Treatment is beta blockers and observation with repeat thyroid levels in 4-6 weeks.  There is a chance that you will become hypothyroid and need levothyroxine treatment.