Positive Thyroglobin, negative body scan??!

[Giz777]

I'm confused and starting to get a bit worried again.

Fall 2006 I had a TT post diagnosis of papillary cancer on the right lobe of my thyroid, several lymph nodes were also removed. The growth was 2.2cm and was followed up with RAI treatment about 3 months post-op, along with the full body scan, results of which just showed hot spots in my thyroid bed, which I am told is normal right after treatment. Over the following year I continued to monitor my blood levels with my dr, who advised me that my thyroglobulin levels were a bit on the high side, everything else was within acceptable range and I have no symptoms.

recently I had thyrogen injections to prepare for another whole body scan along with blood work, and the results came back with the scan not showing anything and my thyroglobin levels in the area of 46, where I am told it is not supposed to be, it should be below 10.

I'm told it could be a fluke, or perhaps a lymph node...I really don't know what to think as I am launching into panic mode. Dr is setting up a CAT scan, but any ideas on where this thyroglobin could be coming from or what it could mean?

I thought this ordeal was over, but it seems to keep going on...

[pranzer]

Hey there! I'm browsing the internet looking for the meaning of tyroglobin and I found this link. I have Papillary cancer at the right right lobe of my thyroid and I my doctor did was a total thyrodectomy. and Its my 3rd month since my operation and I am taking up eltroxin (100umg/day). this oct 6 I have my first checkup after my RAI and my endo doc said that my thyroglobin levels are high (20.25 should be less 2.0) so she change my intake from MWF 100umg and TTHSS 200umg. What could posibbly means that my the thyroglobin levels are high? is my cancer will be back if it's not at the normal level also she further add that if my level are still same I have to go RAI again for 2nd time.. AW it cost a lot for me and my family.

[utahmomma]

Could be a lymph node or a recurrence in the thyroid bed.  I've been reading some medical research that talked about the fallacy of ignoring any uptake in the bladder, colon, and liver.  Usually uptake in these areas is simply dismissed as the body expelling the radiation when, in fact, there could be spots of cancer in those areas.

I have also read of thyroid cancer reappearing in the strangest places (once case was on a woman's leg).

Don't panic - it's not going to do anything but drive you nuts.  It's just a matter of locating the little monster and nuking it.

Based on the increased Tg alone (your levels should be "undetectable" or at least below 2), a higher dose of RAI may be indicated.

Have you also had a chest x-ray?

Take a breath and hang in there - we'll get through this together

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03
recurrence and RAI '06 and possibly '08
three sisters with papillary carcinoma (one with three recurrences)

[Giz777]

yes it was on measured along with along with the free T3 & T4, but my dr. didn't give me those numbers aside from telling me my levels were normal except for the thyroglobulin.

[AR-10]

When your thyroglobulin was measured, was a thyroglobulin antibody test run as well?