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radioactive iodine treatment

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Thyroid Disorders
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answers4me2
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 1331
Posted 12/24/2014 5:08 PM (GMT -6)
I am 43 year old female that's been suffering with hyperthyroidism for years. I have been taking tapazole for over 2 years. The doctor has teetered the dose up and down, but we can't seem to get the thyroid to stop being high.

We have also tried high doses of tapazole with a small dose of synthroid. It has been a nightmare.

I have been suffering with fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, anemia, hot all the time, fatigue, paper thin fingernails, dry skin, unhealing rash on scalp for a year, hair dry and just feels different, etc.

I do have an ileostomy and also suffer with gastroparesis. Even though I have hyperthyroidism, I have GAINED weight, not lost weight.

My main concern has been the air hunger.

After much debate and reading, I have decided to take the radioactive iodine pill on December 31.

Is there anyone that has done this? My best friend thinks I'm making a big mistake.

I have tried ptu also, years ago. My doctor thinks I will always suffer with hyperthyroidism without taking the next step, radioactive iodine.

I'm scared and very very tired of having multiple medical problems!!!
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jujub
Elite Member
Joined : Mar 2003
Posts : 10422
Posted 12/24/2014 9:12 PM (GMT -6)
I had RAI treatment in 1994. It took me about six weeks to become very hypothyroid - freezing all the time! After that it took about another six to eight weeks for me to start feeling normal, but I felt really normal for the first time in a long time.

I was on 200 mcg of levothyroxine until earlier this year, when it was increased to 250 because I was a little bit hypo. I live a normal life (excepting all the other ways my immune system has tried to kill me, of course, lol) and feel good. I hope your results are as good as mine were.
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answers4me2
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Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 1331
Posted 12/29/2014 12:20 PM (GMT -6)
Judy, I've also just recently had high blood pressure and high glucose level in my blood work. I am so terrified of having type 2 diabetes. I had gestational diabetes with 2 of my kids. I have 4 and 1 of them weighed 11 lbs at birth.

I'm taking the radioactive pill Wednesday. I'll keep you posted. I usually hang in the ostomy room since I have an ostomy.

Thanks for responding.
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jujub
Elite Member
Joined : Mar 2003
Posts : 10422
Posted 12/29/2014 1:15 PM (GMT -6)
Best of luck with your treatment.
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answers4me2
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Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 1331
Posted 1/1/2015 2:00 PM (GMT -6)
I took the radioactive iodine pill yesterday and I feel OK. My tongue feels a little sore, but that's it. I hope this is the answer for me and I can get back to a normal life soon.

All I did was go to the hospital and this technician went over a lot of paperwork. Mainly to stay away from other people, to sleep alone, to flush the toilet twice, dispose of my trash separately, etc. She said to really stay away from people for 72 hours.

She also made sure I knew I would need to follow up with my endocrinologist and that I would more than likely end up with hypothyroidism.


I'll keep posting updates for anyone else who might be considering RAI treatment.
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answers4me2
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Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 1331
Posted 1/18/2015 11:25 AM (GMT -6)
It has been 2 weeks since taking the radioactive iodine pill. My biggest complaint is my salivary glands having some sort of reaction causing an extremely dry throat. I have found eating hard candies or chewing gum has helped the most to combat this.

I have also been experiencing more episodes of shortness of breath and fast heart beat. I mean a racing heart that makes me feel terrible. Last night I considered going to the ER due to my heart rate just flying and pounding. I don't see the endocrinologist until the 25th of February.

Other than that, I have been OK.
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jujub
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Joined : Mar 2003
Posts : 10422
Posted 1/18/2015 5:54 PM (GMT -6)
I needed to get my thyroid levels down fast because I was waiting for urgent surgery, but no anesthesiologist would touch me when I was so hyperthyroid. My Endo put me on a thyroid suppression drug after the RAI because the levels weren't going down enough. Even with both treatments it took about six weeks for my levels to get down into the safe range. So it may take some time for your symptoms to ease.
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answers4me2
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Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 1331
Posted 1/22/2015 9:37 AM (GMT -6)
I went to the doctor for shortness of breath and fast heart rate and had a chest X-ray and they found my heart is enlarged. They said my fast heart rate can be caused from the hyperthyroidism. I am having an echo cardiogram tomorrow to see what is going on with the heart. I read hyperthyroidism can cause issues with the heart!!

Needless to say, I'm a little disturbed by this. I'm upset that I didn't do something about the thyroid before now.

I have multiple medical problems and I have to see so many doctors as it is.

Could the thyroid be the root of everything? It sounds like it can.
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hypoHashimoto
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Joined : Jul 2012
Posts : 785
Posted 1/22/2015 10:15 AM (GMT -6)
Yes indeed, hyperthyroidism can affect the heart and so does hypo, but hyper affects the heart more badly !

After taking the RAI you will eventually become hypo, this can take a while, but if the treatment is successful, you will become hypothyroid and need to be placed on Levo.

Did your doctor told you when to have a thyroid blood test? TSH and FT4 .

Once on Levo, ask to be put on brand name and not generic Levo, this will keep your dose consistent.

Good luck and keep us updated .
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jujub
Elite Member
Joined : Mar 2003
Posts : 10422
Posted 1/22/2015 3:00 PM (GMT -6)
Yes, my heart rate was over 120 when I first saw the endocrinologist. My normal resting is around 60.
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answers4me2
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 1331
Posted 1/22/2015 6:37 PM (GMT -6)
I got the blood work from Monday and the TSH level was 0.038. This was my primary care physician that took the blood Monday. I don't have the rest of it as I left it on accident at my GI doctor's office.

I guess this is still too high since they said they wanted me to follow up with my endocrinologist.

How long will it take to get hypo or at least normal?
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jujub
Elite Member
Joined : Mar 2003
Posts : 10422
Posted 1/22/2015 9:08 PM (GMT -6)
It took me 6 weeks to get low enough to be safe to have surgery even when they added PTU, and I was still somewhat hyper then. Thyroid levels generally change slowly, so you can probably count on anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks.
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answers4me2
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 1331
Posted 1/23/2015 6:28 AM (GMT -6)
Thank you Judy.. That's what I figured. I figured it was too soon to see any difference.
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