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help make decission

I have graves, reading lots of negative stuff about radiated iodine treatment is there anything good about having it, I have to make a decission soon, and what about surgery I am so scared to do either, but I have to do something I have been on my pills to long, My doctors don't really say much except to do it it;s a good thing. I just don't know
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377600 tn?1225163436
My antibodies were attacking my thyroid as well.  I went through two years of ups and downs in thryoid levels.  Finally, my thyroid burned out.

I did not want anything artificially done to render it unfunctional.  I am now hypothyroid and am on Levothyroxine.

I was very uncomfortable during this time period with heart palpitations, hair loss, depression, and so many other things.

However, it was the right choice for me.
Helpful - 0
332168 tn?1201026915
Yes they did, but as my luck goes, it wasn't enough to kill it. I don't remember the percentages as that was about 3 yrs ago. At that time I thought all the dr.knew what they were doing and I had faith in them. I have since then learned to educate myself so I can be my own adovcate as they are not always looking out for your best interest. And that is mostly insurance driven.
Helpful - 0
319653 tn?1200346342
Did they do an uptake test before they gave you the initial dose to determine how much they need to give you to actually kill the thyroid?

My uptake was 93% so I had to take a really low dose to kill mine. Most hyperthyroid patients Iodine uptake is around 70%. Normal is around 30%.
Helpful - 0
332168 tn?1201026915
Well I am by no means any expert, but the RAI didn't do me any good. They didn't bother to tell me at the time that it only has a 60% success rate. I wanted 100% success on killing my thyroid. It almost seems as it was fertizlier for it.. J/k. I was scared to death about having surgery but so far everything is getting better. I am just dealing with the normal post op recovery. Good luck
Helpful - 0
319653 tn?1200346342
Hi,

I had RAI after severe hyperthyroid. My white blood cells were attacking my thyroid so I didn't have too much of a choice. It is a way better option then surgery it is quick and fast. The only downside is that you cannot be by small children, elderly people or pregnant women for about 1-2 weeks. However, if your hyperthyroid can be treated with methimazole I would recommend that first. The reason why I say that is because, once you become hypothyroid and your doctor puts you on Synthroid or Armour it is trial and error in trying to get your hormone levels back into normal range.

Also depending on how long you have been hyper your "normal" feel is a lot different then people who have only been hypo. You are going to have a higher expectation on how you feel.

Anyways RAI is the safer way to go I think. Just be aware after the thyroid is dead you will feel very different.
Helpful - 0
319653 tn?1200346342
Hi,

I had RAI after severe hyperthyroid. My white blood cells were attacking my thyroid so I didn't have too much of a choice. It is a way better option then surgery it is quick and fast. The only downside is that you cannot be by small children, elderly people or pregnant women for about 1-2 weeks. However, if your hyperthyroid can be treated with methimazole I would recommend that first. The reason why I say that is because, once you become hypothyroid and your doctor puts you on Synthroid or Armour it is trial and error in trying to get your hormone levels back into normal range.

Also depending on how long you have been hyper your "normal" feel is a lot different then people who have only been hypo. You are going to have a higher expectation on how you feel.

Anyways RAI is the safer way to go I think. Just be aware after the thyroid is dead you will feel very different.
Helpful - 0
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