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Is it worth getting your thyroid killed?

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Thyroid Disorders
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Posted 12/21/2011 7:42 PM (GMT -6)
Hello, My husband, 28 years old. Was diagnosed with Graves disease about 5 months go. We started seeing a specialist right away, and his approach from the beginning has been to kill it with the Radioactive Iodine. The way he made it seem was like no big deal. But now reading on some forums I have started to feel overwhelmed. Everyone seems so negative about the after life. I would like to know some experiences if anyone is willing to share on how not having a thyroid effects you. From what I hear, people experience severe emotional and mood changes, feeling weak and forgetful all the time. Or it heightens irritability or edginess. I guess what i've been thinking of, is , is it worth it to get it removed. Because either way you are on medication for the rest of your life, that seems you always have to be changing the levels of. Is this going to seriously change our future? What should we be preparing for?

Thank you!
Posted 12/22/2011 8:30 AM (GMT -6)
I had RAI in 1993. I did go through about six weeks of severe hypothyroidism (cold, tired, puffy) before the replacement levothyroxine built up to therapeutic levels and stabilized, but since then I've had no thyroid symptoms at all. For me, it's like I never had a problem, and I think this is true for most people.

I have nothing but good things to say for the treatment.
Posted 12/22/2011 6:23 PM (GMT -6)
Thank you! It seems like I mostly find negative feed back, we're justs nervous!
Posted 12/22/2011 7:03 PM (GMT -6)
Remember that the population on a support board such as this is skewed - people who have been successfully treated seldom look for a support group, while those who for whatever reason continue to have problems do. So you won't find many 'satisfied customers' around. I'm at HealingWell because of other, more challenging health issues having nothing whatsoever to do with my thyroid.
Posted 12/22/2011 7:46 PM (GMT -6)
Thank you so much for your input! That is a great point you make. And I wish you all the best in your health!
Posted 12/29/2011 3:54 PM (GMT -6)
I second Judys statement about living without a thyroid

I had it out, had the treatment, got on the meds and now (except for the scar) would never know that it is missing. The whole "thyroid issue" was thrown in the middle of an RA diagnosis and that is far more troublesome than the thyroid ever was.

I wish you luck in your choice of surgery and treatment.
Posted 1/13/2012 7:02 AM (GMT -6)
You know, thank Gd we have thyroid replacement meds. Many people do well on them. I would venture to say, all SHOULD do well on them.
I'm assuming he had the RAI done. (If not, we can talk about anti thyroid drugs. [ATDs] I think they're the best first option.) I hope he's enjoying the symptoms going away, hyper's no picnic. But - and the nature of these boards is that it's the people who are having trouble who come on, so one can have a skewed view - not all doctors manage hypo well. Nor the descent into hypo from hyper. For that, you should try to get as educated as possible. I've never been full blown hypo but have read a little. These seem to be like good sources:
Mary Shomon's Living Well with Hypothyroidism
Dr Ridha Arem's The Thyroid Solution
The Shameses' Thyroid Power.

Good luck!

OK. I'm editing here: can you clarify? What's been going on the last few months? Has your husband had RAI yet or not? If not, I would really like to expand on my thoughts on ATDs and help you determine if the doc is dosing and monitoring hime well.
Posted 3/17/2012 1:55 AM (GMT -6)
I'e had Grave's for 12 years in September and take Tapazole. I refuse to remove it or do RAI. Look at Elaine Moore's site. She was and is an angel to me. She had RAI and says don't do it. Also look at LDN. I want it but can't find a dr to write a prescription as it can cure many things! You can buy without it though :)
Posted 3/22/2012 2:56 AM (GMT -6)
I have had both my thyroid out and the RAI due to cancer. I'm on thyroid meds now and have had absolutely zero trouble. Once you get the right dose, you don't need to change your levels. I also have nothing bad to say about either treatments, only positive things. Just as someone else has said, besides the scar, no one has any clue I have had either treatments!

Good luck!
Posted 8/20/2013 6:24 AM (GMT -6)
Interesting. I was on anti-thyroid medication, and it robbed me of my sense of taste. Everything went from tasting bland, to no taste, to tasting nasty. It did take my heart rate from 120 down to 90 (my normal has always been around 60), but my symptoms fluctuated wildly as my thyroid and the medication battled for control. With RAI that isn't a problem. My thyroid isn't producing any hormone, so I'm perfectly balanced and stable on Synthroid.

Just goes to show we're all different.
Posted 8/31/2013 4:03 PM (GMT -6)
I appreciate this forum so much for all the information that comes through your stories. My lack of knowledge made me very concerned. Just looking for the best way to deal. Thanks

I deleted your signature, which was a link to a commercial site. Please edit your signature to remove this link. Thanks.

Post Edited By Moderator (Judy2) : 8/31/2013 9:04:35 PM (GMT-6)

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