TT, papillary cancer, high TSH, no RIA yet

[Aaarobinson]

So. I was hypo (hashimotos) but managed for 5 years, until recently. What I thought was a bad sore throat turned out to be a large nodule pushing up against my esophagus... It was biopsied and inconclusive but because it was causing pain and my levels were no longer controlled, my endo decided Total thyroidectomy was the best corse of action. After it was removed and dissected by pathology they confirmed the nodule was papillary carcinoma. Okay, thyroid is removed cancer is removed right? Not necessarily. Path report stated 1 lymphnode was biopsied in addition to my thyroid gland and it came back negative however additional lymphnodes were "suspicious" for cancer as well. Like the pathology report actually said suspicious. How reassuring right? So my endo wants to do RIA, I agreed. She is my Dr after all I trust her.... I am now 6 weeks post TT and had my first labs done. Apparently my TSH is too high so I can't do the RIA yet? Because my TSH is too high is that an indicator there are still cancerous thyroid cells left? Or that the thyroid cancer cells have spread to my lymphnodes or somewhere else? I am on 112mcg daily and she in dreads to 112 daily and on Sunday's take one and a half so 168mcg one day a week. I know increasing slowly is the best route but now what? Wait until my TSH is good and then do the RIA? What if the cancer has actually spread to my lymphnodes, how do we find out? I don't want to just sit around and wait another 6 weeks for blood work. I want this cancer out of my body! And I want to be proactive. Has anyone been in a similar situation? What's going to happen now?

[Leagirl1]

I honestly would go see a naturopathic and see what they might suggest. Yes you got the main tumor out, that is probably best

But you still have to support your health with other vitamins, etc

I would avoid any radiation or radioactive iodine

But I would take turmeric daily

[sylance9]

Normally when you do RAI, you have to get your TSH to a critical High for the RAI to uptake in any remaining thyroid tissue.  Are you sure she didnt mean "too low" ?  I had to wait 6 weeks before having my first dose of RAI because it took my body longer to get to hypothyroid critical levels.  (Normally TSH above 30).  I dont know why shes having you take thyroid replacement unless she is planning on giving you Thyrogen.  Thyrogen is given in three shots and shoots your TSH up to 300 ish (makes your body think its hypothyroid) so that the rai can uptake without having you go off meds.  If you had cancer, you need the RAI.  

Once its over and you wait the quarantine period out you will maintain your TSH at or below .5 to keep your body clear.