Graves disease radioactive iodine side effects
Common Questions and Answers about Graves disease radioactive iodine side effects
graves-disease
I have been diagnosed with hypertyroid - Graves disease for over 3 years. In the first 2 yrs, i often forget my medication and doctor has advised me that once i stop the medication even for the few days, the previous medication that i have taken goes down the drain. Thus for this 1 year, i have taken very regularly, rarely missing on my medication. However, the checkups have been disappointing. My thyroxine, free level has been under control - 13 (last result) but TSH is only 0.06.
i think they do the radioactive iodine test to determine whether the hyperthyroidism is caused by graves disease OR thyroiditis. normal to high uptake is usually graves and low uptake is usually thyroiditis.
i had the test when i was hyper and was glad i did because initially they thought i had graves disease. turns out it was thyroiditis and i didn't need meds (until i went hypo).
RAI - is radio active iodine. It comes in a pill form and patients can be treated with it for Graves disease or other types of thyroid disease issues.
Pure iodine only has nothing to do with radio active iodine
You have a hot nodule which is most likely producing thyroid hormone - so you may be a candidate to take this Radio active treatment to kill the functioning nodule off.
A major expected side effect of radioactive iodine in patients with Graves disease is the development of life long hypothyroidism requiring daily treatment with thyroid hormone."
"What are the factors associated with a positive outcome after radioactive iodine?
My daughter (18) had had Graves Disease for a couple of years now. They had her on PTU and now want her to have Radioactive Iodine. Has anyone done the RAI? What can we/she expect? I've heard some bad stories about being unable to be around your family/friends for a week and long roads until finally/if ever getting the thyroid back to "normal". Anyone's thoughts?
www.ngdf.org
Why will you not take the radioactive iodine? Did they talk about thyroidectomy to remove the thyroid this may also be an option.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism – how the body breaks down food into energy, and whether that energy is immediately used or stored for future use. Thyroid hormones tell organs how quickly to work, and regulate oxygen consumption and heat production.
I have Graves Disease and was treated with Radio Iodine about 13 years ago. I am now on a daily synthroid dosage of 200 MCG. I am in very good physical condition other wise and will be going to Africa to climb Mt Kilimanjaro in Dec. I understand that we will have to filter our own water and bought a filter pump, but the directions say that it uses iodine and to consult a doctor if you have a thyroid condition. Can you tell me if I can use it, and what the side effects might be?
I am scheduled for a thyroid scan on this Thursday and will take radioactive iodine on Friday. I have a 2 year old and am under the understanding that I will have to be away from people for a week. I am not looking forward to this at all. I have many questions and would like some answers prior to Thursday. My main question is how long will I have to be away from everyone, especially my daughter?
1. An allergic reaction to radioactive iodine treatment includes shortness of breat, chills/rigors, fever, rash/hives.
2. Hyperthyroidism symptoms include elevated heart rate, anxiety and not sleeping well.
3. Samples under 1:40 are considered negative for ANA antibodies. Depending on what medical website you read, 1:40 can be a negative result or a mild positive result. A positive ANA test result may suggest an autoimmune disease but further testing is required.
Back in the 90's I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. I was treated with radioactive iodine and placed on syntroid. I haven't had any bad side effects over the years. At the end of Dec, 2012, my Doctor lowered my Levothyroxine from .20mg to .15mg. A few weeks later I began experiencing some confusion, constipation, dry skin, aversion to the cold, overall fatigue, gaining weight while not eating much and blotting.
My Endo suggests the Radioactive Iodine but it scares me to death! I am affraid that my Graves Dease will attack something else in my body once my Tyroid is gone? Any suggestions?
Excerpt from Australian Prescriber - Safe use of radiographic contrast media...
"Iodinated contrast-induced thyrotoxicosis is rare. Iodine does not have a significant effect on patients with normal thyroid function. Patients with Graves' disease and multi nodular goitre are at increased risk, and those with thyrotoxicosis should not receive the contrast.
I would rather deal with the disease than the side effects of medication. I am researching supplements and alternative therapies and I am quite sure my doctor will be pissed when I go back to him at the end of this month. Does anyone have any good testimonials about alternative treatments for this disease?
My doctor keeps pushing me to get radioactive iodine but I am a little nervous. since last year I have not been feeling well and have had a low tsh <.01 for about a year now and for 2 months have been on 10 mg methamazole. originally my T4 and Free t3 were in normal range and but Igf-1 was climbing. Now my T4 is going down T3 free is 475 and tsh remains at <.01.
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