Radioactive Iodine Treatment

[sendabear]

Has anyone had this before or know of someone that has?
2 weeks ago I received one for my thyroid. On the internet
is alot of information regarding the radioactive iodine but not
very much information on what happens afterwards. My doctor
is not helpful as a amatter of fact he has misdiognosed this
thyroid problem. I had congestive heart failure in March and it
was the heart doctor that found the thyroid problem.
I'm just searching for any information on what happens next?

[SLance68]

My Mom has had this done a couple of years ago. Your Thyroid is over active (Hyper) and the radioactive iodine will kill off part of the Thyroid so that it does not make as much hormones so that your body can get back to being regulated. This is NOT a fast process. You will probably have to go back in 6 weeks for them to do blood work and check the levels. Depending on how much they gave you it could reduce the levels enough that you would not need any medication or it might reduce it so that you would now be Hypo which is under active and would require something like Synthroid. Synthroid is a pill you take 1 time per day not a big deal. I am sure that you had lost weight while your Thyroid was over active - you will really need to watch what you eat & make sure to exercise or the weight will come back. You will not feel anything physically except maybe the Thyroid will feel smaller in your throat. You can look up Hyperthyroidism and you should be able to find more info on it. If your Dr. is not being helpful and explaining this stuff FIRE HIM and get a new Endo Dr. remember he works for you not the other way around. If you have questions he should be more than willing to answer them for you.

[sendabear]

Thanks. I've read everything til I'm blue in the face. The time its going to take this radioactive iodine to work, I'm afraid my thyroid could still weak havoc. Some symptoms of the congestive heart failure are appearing again. Yeah, my doctor wants $255 for that blood test in 6 weeks. After being sick for 3 years, I'm having to work on my patience thats wearing very thin right now. Thanks for sharing. I hope all is well for your mother now.

[SLance68]

Thanks it is a long process her's is still in the wait & see which is only driving her nuts. She needs to work on patience also. I keep telling her that sometimes slower is better - but she still just wants it to be done. Good luck with the treatment and I hope it works well for you.

[RNB16]

If I were you I'd be asking to see an Endocrinologist if you aren't already. They are specialists that deal with glands. My mother had Thyroid cancer and had hers removed and had Radioactive iodine after to kill off any tissue that could have remained. Yes you will need follow up for quite some time to come yet. I myself have had ultrasounds done on mine for a few years to monitor spots that were found. Best of luck to you!