Thoughts on Thyrogen

[MerelyMe]

Hi Everyone!  In a couple months I have to have my 2nd full body scan post TT in May 07 and 100 RAI in August 07 (had my 1st full body scan shortly after the RAI).  My Endo wants me to do Thyrogen as opposed to coming off meds for a month or so.  Anyone had Thyrogen?  Thoughts about it vs coming off meds?  I've read that Thyrogen may not be as effective as coming off meds and that thyroid cancer may be missed.  In fact, on Thyrogen.com it read: "When using Thyrogen, there is a risk that thyroid cancer cells may not be detected and diagnosis of recurring cancer may be missed."  Do you run the same risk when coming off meds as well?  And...also read that some of the side effects from Thyrogen can be long lasting.  I definitely HATE being hypo even for a few weeks.  Mostly I HATE the weight gain.  So...I'm looking for thoughts and suggestions.  Please share!  Thanks! ~Lisa

[utahmomma]

I had the thyrogen last year for my followup (went through hypohell for the original treatment).  The thyrogen was 2 shots one day a part.  Compared to hypohell it was heaven!  No side effects, no depression, no high TSH.   My WBS (with the thyrogen) did show some uptake (including in my sinuses).  Perhaps what amela321 has is a form of thyroid cancer that doesn't absorb iodine?

The thyrogen, in my humble opinion, is worth the money!

[amela321]

Sorry for the duplicate post.  I corrected something in the second one and thought I stopped the first one in time.  

The second one is what I meant to type.

[amela321]

I just had Thyrogen recently and I didn't have any side effects at all.  I can't speak to its effectiveness with the WBS, though.  I had a negative WBS, but positive ultrasound and positive FNA for papillary thyroid cancer recurrence.  I don't know, though, if it would have shown up on the WBS even if I had been hypo.  It could just be that my cancer is no longer RAI avid and wouldn't have shown up on the WBS either way.  

I just read what I typed and it looks confusing.  I hope it makes sense to you.  

[amela321]

I just had Thyrogen recently and I didn't have any side effects at all.  I can't speak to its effectiveness with the WBS, though.  I had a negative WBS, but positive ultrasound and positive FNA for papillary thyroid cancer recurrence.  I don't know, though, if it would have shown up on the WBS even if I had been hypo.  It could just be that my cancer is no longer RAI avid and wouldn't have shown up on the RAI either way.  

I just read what I typed and it looks confusing.  I hope it makes sense to you.  

[MerelyMe]

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