Post TT, and I 131: what tests do I need to monitor?

[monica148]

I have had a TT after my diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer.  I also have mets to the bone and lungs.  I am going in for my first follow-up with my endocrinologist.  What tests should I expect to have to monitor my condition going forward?

[monica148]

HI, sorry for the delay in responding.  When I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, in May, they did not find the metastases.  I had a TT on June 3, and in early July I had a CXR.  The chest X-ray showed a tumor in my left lung, so the endocrinologist ordered a CT scan of my chest.  That test showed multiple tumors in both lungs, but they were small, called micronodules, and not big enough to be seen on the CXR.   I had  radioactive iodine at the end of July which was followed by a nuclear scan.  The nuclear scan showed uptake of the iodine in both lungs, my neck, and my pelvis bone.
My next step is to have a pelvis MRI, and then external beam radiation for the bone cancer.
Good luck to you.

[loonette]

Hi,
I was wondering how you know the mets to the bone and lungs?  Was that diagnosis made after the WBS?  I am having to repeat mine a week later and now am concerned because the size of the tumor was T2 not encapsulated but no lymph nodes invaded.  Had RAI of 150-160 millicuries and thought it was high, but now....I suppose it was warranted given the tumor's size.  Let me know.

[nissah46]

Did you already have RAI?  I also had mets. to the lung, lymph nodes and rib.  The RAI hopefully took care of it.  I have had 3 whole body scans since 2006, and this year just had my Thyroglobulin (Tg)  tested using Thyrogen.  Tg. is the marker for thyroid cancer, so it should be tested every year, for life.  Sometimes an ultrasound is done along with the tg testing, although I did not have one in May when my tg was tested.  Good luck.
Trish