Hyperthyroidism

Turquoise

Any other sufferers? I've been dealing with it for the last 3 years. (I say dealing with it, that's when I was diagnosed - I think I may have been out of range for a year before diagnosis)
I'm currently not on meds, 6 months or so and yet to go out of range - fingers crossed! I'd rather not have to opt for surgery or RAI, though I know the chances are it may be necessary in the future.
Anyone any experience of RAI or surgery for hyperthyroidism? Or any success stories where the meds are concerned?

CathyMoran

Hi,

I was one of the youngest people in the country to have hyperthyroidism at the age of 4. My dad also had it so he knew the signs (daddy had surgery). I had radiotherapy which was fine, the only thing was that I went underactive at the age of 11. I did not have any problems with the treatment. Good luck.

BanzaiBk

Goodluck with your treatment! I'm at the other end of the spectrum with hypothyroidism:o I had my operation done to remove the adenoma in February last.

Redshift

Yeah, I had it a few years back though Graves Disease. I was on Inderal and Mercazole for a good while to try and calm it down but I ended up having two sessions of RAI to sort it out. I wanted the surgery but they thought it was too risky because I had reached dangerous levels meaning off the chart on my tests and was severly hyperthyroid and ended up in hospital for three weeks
with Thyrotoxicosis worst experience of my life for sure and a horrible thing to go through.

RAI worked well though I'm on Thyroxine for life now:(

Turquoise

CathyMoran wrote:

Hi,

I was one of the youngest people in the country to have hyperthyroidism at the age of 4. My dad also had it so he knew the signs (daddy had surgery). I had radiotherapy which was fine, the only thing was that I went underactive at the age of 11. I did not have any problems with the treatment. Good luck.

Woah, I thought I was young at 14. :eek:
The idea of RAI scares me...I know it's silly, they wouldn't do it if it wasn't safe, but putting a radioactive substance in my body freaks me out! :eek:


Redshift - how long where you on the Inderal and Mercazole for? The first time around my stupid doctor only left me on it for a few months, so I was out of range within 3 months of coming off them. After being sent to a new doctor I was on them for 18 months, and now it's a few months on. I'm keeping my fingers crossed but I've yet to hear any positive outcome where the med treatments are concerned. It always seems to come down to RAI.

Can I ask what way the RAI works, is it just a pill or something? And temporary side-effects?

Redshift

Turquoise wrote:

Redshift - how long where you on the Inderal and Mercazole for? The first time around my stupid doctor only left me on it for a few months, so I was out of range within 3 months of coming off them. After being sent to a new doctor I was on them for 18 months, and now it's a few months on. I'm keeping my fingers crossed but I've yet to hear any positive outcome where the med treatments are concerned. It always seems to come down to RAI.

Can I ask what way the RAI works , is it just a pill or something? And temporary side-effects?

About 6 months and then I became allergic to Mercazole literally overnight and came up in blisters all over, I was switched to propranolol for about 3 months but it was ineffective and my condition deteriorated suddenly and fairly rapidly to where I got an emergency appointment to see the consultant next day. Unfortunatley that morning while waiting in the outpatients dept it all came to a head and I hit the deck, woke up that evening in a hospital bed feeling like death and with sore head:p.

The RAI comes as a little pill inside a fairly hefty lead container, which the nurse gives to you to open and swallow without touching the pill.
You will have to do an uptake test first which involves taking a weak RAI pill the week before which allows them to see if your thyroid will take up the RAI before they give it to you.

There are very little side effects apart from some tenderness in the neck for about a week, you will also not be allowed near your children for a while
and will need your clothes and stuff washed seperatly.
You will also be advised against either fathering a child or becomming pregnant for about 9 months I think. So there are some things to think about.

I would have prefered the surgery as I share the same concerns about radiation as you but in my case I was out of options and surgery was not a runner given the state I was in at the time.

Good luck getting it sorted, if you ever want to chat about it or ask a question about my experience feel free to drop me a PM

Turquoise

Redshift wrote:

About 6 months and then I became allergic to Mercazole literally overnight and came up in blisters all over, I was switched to propranolol for about 3 months but it was ineffective and my condition deteriorated suddenly and fairly rapidly to where I got an emergency appointment to see the consultant next day. Unfortunatley that morning while waiting in the outpatients dept it all came to a head and I hit the deck, woke up that evening in a hospital bed feeling like death and with sore head:p.

Is that the "thyroid storm" I've read about? Eeek, that does not sound pleasant!

Redshift wrote:

There are very little side effects apart from some tenderness in the neck for about a week, you will also not be allowed near your children for a while
and will need your clothes and stuff washed seperatly.
You will also be advised against either fathering a child or becomming pregnant for about 9 months I think. So there are some things to think about.

Well pregnancy is definitely not something I'm planning for the next few years, so that's not an issue. I've just started my Leaving Cert year though....if it came down to it, would RAI require me to miss much/any school? My doc has said if it goes out of range this year, he'll probably just put me on the meds until my Leaving is over, then think about RAI/surgery next summer - but I've been dealing with this for years, I just want it sorted asap, you know?

Redshift wrote:

I would have prefered the surgery as I share the same concerns about radiation as you but in my case I was out of options and surgery was not a runner given the state I was in at the time.

Good luck getting it sorted, if you ever want to chat about it or ask a question about my experience feel free to drop me a PM

Everyone seems keen on the RAI, but the only people I know who have had it are past child-bearing age. Studies have apparently been done and there isn't any effect on the foetus in years to come, but it does worry me. :rolleyes:
Thanks for the offer. I've another appointment with my endo in 2 weeks, so depending on the outcome I might be in touch.

Redshift

Yeah, it's what is called a thyroid storm and belive me you don't want to go there, so stay on top of it.;)

If you have the RAI you will probably miss a week or two so of school as you would be in prolonged proximity to your classmates and teacher, which could be dangerous to them.

You're not on meds? at the moment, that would strike me as a good sign if you can manage without them.
Do you have a tremor in your hands if you hold them out in front of you?

Sometimes the condition is temporary and they use the medication to ease the symptoms in the hope that it will correct itself.

Did you find what causes your hyperthyroidism there are a few causes if I remember correctly, mine was graves disease which is an immune system disorder.

The only advise I would give to you about RAI is to be sure that it's right for you as it's a one way ticket and will leave you hypothyroid and on thyroxine for life, that being said don't let this fact alone stop you as hyperthyroidism is dangerous to your health whereas hypo is not dangerous (more inconvienient) nor a problem if managed.

Turquoise

Just had a call from the doctor. Hyperthyroid, again.
It's down to surgery or RAI now...really unsure. *sigh*

CathyMoran

Turquoise wrote:

Just had a call from the doctor. Hyperthyroid, again.
It's down to surgery or RAI now...really unsure. *sigh*

Both options work really well. I do not remember any problems with the RAI and my dad was fine when he had the surgery. Good luck with whatever you decide.

spurious

I have Hashimoto's but am severely hypo so I never had to have the RAI.

The best source for thyroid info on the net is Mary Shomon's site at http://thyroid.about.com/. She has an extensive range of articles and forums, where you can ask people who have been through it all before.

tk123

Anybody had surgery for it? I've been on neomercazole for 4.5 years now and they found a cystic nodule a few months back on one side thats coming out next year. Also has anybody had problems with itching/dry skin?

Carsinian Thau

I've been on Carbimazole for the past six years. Tried to come off twice but went out of range both times relatively quickly. Doctor doesn't seem to be particularly eager to take me off meds or offer me any other treatment so I'm on this for the time being....

N8

anyone try anything other than drugs, drugs, radiotherapy or surgery?

Turquoise

Booked in for surgery this month. :eek: Wish me luck!

LegacyUser

I have just been diagnosed with Hyperthyroid... I always thought someone with this condition would be Hyperactive etc ?? And possibly be losing weight ? If this is the case I have been wrongly diagnosed... Its the complete opposite with me..... lack of energy... and have put on quite a lot of weight in the last 2 months .... I have been prescribed Neo-Mercazole 20mg a day... I am hoping this medication will give me back some energy and hopefully help me lose weight. Here's hoping

tk123

When I started out I WAS hyper say during the day with palpatations and I lost loads of weight but by early evening this would catch up on me and i'd be knackered and falling asleep. It's early days for you thou - so stick with the medicine and it'll kick in after a couple of weeks and you'll start to feel better.

Corruptedmorals

I'm hypothyroid...last TSH level was 6.3. But it's strange because I'm underweight and have been for a good 12 or more years. Apparently because it's genetic hypothyroidism.

spurious

One of the problems with thyroid disorders is that the symptoms can vary wildly from person to person - some hypos lose weight, most gain, some hypers gain weight, most lose. Some hypo people have the full lash of symptoms, dry hair, dry skin, heavy periods, 'thyroid brain fog', significant weight gain etc. Then there are the unlucky people who swing wildly between both. I knew a woman once had to have three wardrobes, covering sizes 8 to 18 as her weight would swing back and forth between the two within the space of a year.

I had a TSH of 155 (lol I can laugh about it now) and I felt half dead all the time. Based on TSH alone I'm currently slightly hyper, but using TSH to measure thyroid function is a bit like checking how heavy the rain is by looking out the window to see how many people have umbrellas up.

majella1917

:oDoes anyone know of a support group in the Dublin area or and any good books about this condition. Have tried Easons and a few other book shops but to no avail. I was diagnosed last May and have had all sorts of symptoms. I went from a healthy looking 9 stone to 11 1/2 stone in little under 6 weeks. I have been taken off Neo-mercozole for the moment but will probably be put back on it next week when I see specialist.

From what I can tell at the moment neo-mercozole does not seem to be an exact science and docs/specialist keep saying it is by trial and error. It is like they are having a big laugh at my expense. Do not feel too well with muscle cramps and severe joint pain at the moment. My voice keeps going also. Anyone else have these symptoms??

majella1917

How does Hashimoto disease differ to Grave's?

spurious

majella1917 wrote: »

How does Hashimoto disease differ to Grave's?

They are both auto-immune diseases, but the basic difference is that Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism while Graves' is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.

Some people can have both and swing between the two.

majella1917

spurious wrote: »

One of the problems with thyroid disorders is that the symptoms can vary wildly from person to person - some hypos lose weight, most gain, some hypers gain weight, most lose. Some hypo people have the full lash of symptoms, dry hair, dry skin, heavy periods, 'thyroid brain fog', significant weight gain etc. Then there are the unlucky people who swing wildly between both. I knew a woman once had to have three wardrobes, covering sizes 8 to 18 as her weight would swing back and forth between the two within the space of a year.

I had a TSH of 155 (lol I can laugh about it now) and I felt half dead all the time. Based on TSH alone I'm currently slightly hyper, but using TSH to measure thyroid function is a bit like checking how heavy the rain is by looking out the window to see how many people have umbrellas up.

Hi Spurious, would you like to discuss having a thyroid problem?

majella1917

spurious wrote: »

They are both auto-immune diseases, but the basic difference is that Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism while Graves' is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.

Some people can have both and swing between the two.

I see. I was told and have read that Grave's is mostly inherited. What about Hashimoto's?

spurious

majella1917 wrote: »

I see. I was told and have read that Grave's is mostly inherited. What about Hashimoto's?

I have Hashimoto's. When first diagnosed my parents were saying no-one in either family had had it, but when they sat and thought about it, there were a number of people on one side who had had Graves' and a couple of aunts who while undiagnosed certainly exhibited a lot of the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

My brother has the thyroid antibodies but none of the symptoms.

I'd be happy to chat with you about it if you like, PM me.

*Raverbaby*

Ahhhhh thyroid thyroid thyroid..........where do i start.

Suppose it all started when i was around 15-16-17 im not sure of the exact age cause i presume i was left un diagnosed for ages. I was constantly sick with every sort of chest and throat infection you could imagine when the doctor finally realised the great big lump on my neck might actually be the cause.

Turned out i had hyperthyroidism, and i was put on neomercazole for about a year - to get me though my leaving cert ( which surprisingly didnt go well at all)
And then i had to repeat and it went abit better I suppose apart from being unable to sleep and the shakes i never felt as alive in my entire life, It all happened so quickly i never really stopped to ask all the questions i would have liked to, i was soon being shifted to every hospital around getting ultrasounds, radioactive ultrasounds, biopsys, tubes stuck up my nose, the whole shebang!

But my specialist advised i have my thyroid removed because taking neomercazone wasnt an option as i was a young female and it can effect fertility and they also were unsure if it was cancer because my biopsy didnt come out clear enough, i was ony just gone 18 at the time, and the process was pretty much straight foreward and being honest when they mentioned the "c" word all i wanted was the thing removed, but one thing i have noticed is how ****ing ****e my life seems to be since having it removed.

I seem to be alot more down in myself, i put on weight and i just have no go or motivation anymore, im constantly tired! Even though all my blood test show up as normal i just dont feel like i am. I have told my doctor this but he just kinda seems to ignore me, im currently on 150mg of eltroxin, are there any other types of medication that maybe i could suggest he switch me to - or is this it for life? p.s im only 21 now.

For something that seems so uncomplicated and simple, it really really can mess up your life big time. God damn thyroid gland ( or lack of in my case)

Turquoise

Raverbaby - I had most of my thyroid removed last year (at 17) and have to say I feel great now. I was underactive for about 5 months, (realised in May, a month before the Leaving Cert) but since increasing my eltroxin to 800mcg a week I feel fine. Thankfully my Leaving Cert still went really well, couldn't be happier.

I know I've read online about another drug which provides T4 aswell as T3, (or possibly T3 as well as T4) but I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head. If you do some googling I'm sure you could find out more about it.

Majella1917 - I have a book called 'Thyroid for Dummies' which is pretty good. It simplifies everything so you can understand, but also gives the scientific terms and explanations as well if you need/want them. It goes through various different treatment options as well - it'd be worth a read, I know I found it helpful last year.

Redpunto

Just like to put me tuppence in, Ive had hyper thyroidism for bout 16 years and have been on meds since then and its pretty well under control, I am in no hurry to "permanently" sort with problem out with surgery or radioactive iodine. You dont have to chose when youre young,. i was given the option as well when i was a teenager but my mam was against the idea so time has just gone on and with 2 kids later i wont be putting myself up for either treatment anytime soon.

Redpunto

*Raverbaby* wrote: »

Ahhhhh thyroid thyroid thyroid..........where do i start.

But my specialist advised i have my thyroid removed because taking neomercazone wasnt an option as i was a young female and it can effect fertility

Hi raver baby, seems like youve been through it bad, but i have never heard of neomercazole affecting fertility, the disease itself can but not the medication as far as I now. Like i said in my previous post, Ive been on it for bout 16 years with 2 kids no bothers. The only time i switched meds was when i was pregnant and I was put on propylthiouracil.

LegacyUser

I was told it's not recommended to stay on the neomercazole long term, that's why it came down to surgery or RAI. I also never felt 100% on the neomercazole, even when my levels were in the normal range - I found my emotions were quite out of control.

kowloon

Could abnormally high Calcium levels indicate something to do with a thyroid problem? Are PTH and phosphate levels related to it?

I'm moving to England and have a letter to give to the doctor there but can't make head nor tail of it.

spurious

High calcium levels can be a parathyroid problem.
PTH is the parathyroid hormone.
As the name suggests the parathyroid glands are alongside the thyroid.
Your doctor will be able to help you.

tk123

GAH! mine is gone hyper again after being fine for the last few years. Had an ultrasound on Fri and it was pretty uncomfortable and painful The guy seemed to be taking shots all over the place so I've a feeling there's extra nodules and the original one has gotten bigger - it was 3cm last time around but I can feel myself that it's bigger. I have hypertension from it so too so have medicine for that and on double the neomerc till it settles down and I can breath properly. GP told me that if the consultant couldn't fit me in the next week i was to call back so she could speed things up so I'm a bit worried about whats going to happen

majella1917

Turquoise wrote: »

Raverbaby - I had most of my thyroid removed last year (at 17) and have to say I feel great now. I was underactive for about 5 months, (realised in May, a month before the Leaving Cert) but since increasing my eltroxin to 800mcg a week I feel fine. Thankfully my Leaving Cert still went really well, couldn't be happier.

I know I've read online about another drug which provides T4 aswell as T3, (or possibly T3 as well as T4) but I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head. If you do some googling I'm sure you could find out more about it.

Majella1917 - I have a book called 'Thyroid for Dummies' which is pretty good. It simplifies everything so you can understand, but also gives the scientific terms and explanations as well if you need/want them. It goes through various different treatment options as well - it'd be worth a read, I know I found it helpful last year.

Hi Turquoise,

Thank you for name of book. I have ordered it online and hope it will be delivered soon. I am off Neo mercozole for the moment as my T4 and T3 levels went way below normal. I was having terrible cramps in my upper arms and a problem with my neck. As far as I can tell these symtoms were all connected to the drugs.

I have been off them now for a month and I am feeling more like myself. Although, I have started to lose weight again and my hair has started to fall out in clumps. Has anyone else had problems with their hair and nails?

tk123

Has anybody had an isotope/uptake test?

Lupine

Has anyone become paranoid because of their hyperthyroid and how did it affect you and others? What is the right way to deal with someone that is paranoid? Any advice or experience is appreciated.

sam34

Lupine wrote: »

Has anyone become paranoid because of their hyperthyroid and how did it affect you and others? What is the right way to deal with someone that is paranoid? Any advice or experience is appreciated.

Lupine the only advice that can be given is that the person needs to be sen by a doctor if they have developed paranoia.

Lupine

sam34 wrote: »

Lupine the only advice that can be given is that the person needs to be sen by a doctor if they have developed paranoia.

They have been to their doctor and a specialist twice. They are on the same medication as the people that have left a comment on this thread. The medication seems to be working and making them more active put the paranoia seem to be worse.

dollydishmop

Lupine...several different treatment options have been discussed on this thread.

Thyroid disease affects each individual in widely different ways,and there is no one definite symptom that we all experience, and there is no magic 'cure-all' treatment that will suit everybody and provide the same result.

I strongly suggest that if your friend feels her alleged increasing paranoia isn't being addressed by her medical team, she should consider a new medical team, ask for a different referral, or find another way to get her point across to her GP does take it more seriously.

At my most 'hyper' I never felt paranoia as such, but I did feel high anxiety levels, and would suffer with anxiety attacks thatwith hindisght potentially could have developed into paranoia. Sorry, that's all I can offer.
I'm post-TT now, so going hypER doesn't really happen for me anymore. My cursed gland is in the bin, and good riddance to it as far as I'm concerned

With regard to how *you* deal with her paranoia...when I am feeling my worst, and/or behaving totally irrationally or out of character, all I can ask is that my family & friends understand that it isn't *me*, to continue to support me and not to take my actions personally.
On the whole they do

sam34

Lupine wrote: »

They have been to their doctor and a specialist twice. They are on the same medication as the people that have left a comment on this thread. The medication seems to be working and making them more active put the paranoia seem to be worse.

well then they need to go back to a doctor and explain this

LegacyUser

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice. I know there is no fix.

I was diagnosed with Graves disease 10 years ago, although I know now that I had it longer than that.

I have managed it with neo-mercanzole during that time as I was only 25 at the time and knew that beginning a family would reach me at some stage and I didn't want to risk their health.

I also must mention that I have fought against my weight alll my life. At age 15 I weighed nearly 12 stone and decided, after years of bullying, that I would loose the weight. I suceeded and lost 3 stone after a lot of work and to this day I still monitor my weight religiously.

Everyone thinks that if you have an overactive thyroid that you're sorted weight wise. Not in my case unfortunatley. When my Thyroid is acting up I put on weight. Mainly because of the weakness and treamours that I experience. I eat more sugary foods to try and give me more energy.

Anyways... my new Consultant has advised me that staying on neo-mercanzole is not good for my health and I should now consider Radioactive Iodine or a Thyroid removal action.

I have read the symtoms for both and they are NOT ATTRACTIVE to say the least. All involve possibilities of weight issues if not more.

AND I still end up taking medication for life.... As much as it is nice seeing the Consultant and lining their pockets.... I would like the less impactful resolution possible.

Is there anyone who has had either Radioiodine treatment or surgery and what were the side effects. What are the beneifits and dissadvantages.

Honesty and advice are welcome to this nervous and confused sufferor.

Thanks X

cltt97

Hi Scrather, sorry to hear about your misery, I'm hypo and gained 2 stone due to it.... but mainly because it went on undetected for a long time. once it's regulated my weight is actually quite stable. Anyhow, can't really give you much advice on your specific question, but I'd recommend that you go onto one of the thyroid forums, you'll have more luck getting lots of personal info there. For example either of these will probably have lots of info: realthyroidhelp, ThyroidUK

CathyMoran

I had graves when I was 4, I know that it was bad enough that they were very worried about me - I had the radioactive treatment and my daddy had the surgery a long time ago, he seems to have had an easier time of it after it. I do not have any real issues with my thyroid other than being hyperactive before diagnosis and it is monitored especially at the moment as I am heavily pregnant, the fact that I have other conditions (type 1 diabetes, oesophageal cancer survivor, sarcoidosos) means that it takes the back seat, I would be on the skinny side of normal but that is about it.

This is just my experience of having a funny thyroid - I hope that this helps some.

Joe10000

My gf had the RAI three months ago and her state of mind has improved greatly. She is hypo now and on medication for life. She is a little over weight but she also was when hyper so it's not the same for everyone.

I read on one if the thyroid forums that nobody should be on neo mercanzole long term, a few months max.

Wyldwood

Hello Fellow thyroid sufferers.
I had a subtotal thyroidectomy many, many years ago when I was 18. A number of years later I went hypo & was put on Eltroxin 100. All went well for 20+ years, bloods all fine every year, until this year. Around Feb. I started to feel very unwell, shaky, palpitations, losing weight, pains in arms. Bloods show I'm gone hyper so GP reduced Eltroxin to 75/100 every second day. I thought last week things were improving but yesterday I felt rotten again. Due back for another blood test in 2 weeks but not optimistic of being back in normal range.

Has anyone else had a swing like this after many years stable?

dollydishmop

Scrather1974 wrote: »

Everyone thinks that if you have an overactive thyroid that you're sorted weight wise. Not in my case unfortunatley. When my Thyroid is acting up I put on weight.

Haha, can SO relate to this, yes, I am also, what my Endo calls, one of those 4%ers....who gained weight consistently when Hyper.

Joe10000 wrote: »

Scrather1974 wrote: »

Anyways... my new Consultant has advised me that staying on neo-mercanzole is not good for my health and I should now consider Radioactive Iodine or a Thyroid removal action.

I read on one if the thyroid forums that nobody should be on neo mercanzole long term, a few months max.

Agree with Joe, it has always been my understanding that long term carbimazole (neo-mercazole) use is a big no-no, 2-3 years max....your GP should know this!!!
After that time, if the thyroid hasn't gone into remission, then the next stage would be considered. This was show it was explained to me by my consultant at the very beginning of my treatment for hyper/Graves.

Scrather1974 wrote: »

I have read the symtoms for both and they are NOT ATTRACTIVE to say the least. All involve possibilities of weight issues if not more.

I was hyper/Graves for a long time (undiagnosed for too many years!). Ultimately I had a total thyroidectomy in May of last year (almost one year ago! Woo hoo!) and hand on heart I feel better now than I have done for years! I truly wish I'd pushed to have it done years ago!
I'm on 150mcg Eltroxin and my bloods are absolutely spot on, and my symptoms are so few as to be virtually undetectable apart from the very occasional random crappy day.
Even when I had the choice of TT over RAI, I chose TT...I wanted it gone, done & dusted. Obviously there were a few other factors in the decision, not forgetting my growing, toxic multi-nodular goitre, but it ultimately boiled down to that in the end!
Ultimately, the choice fo RAI was taken away from me,when my eyes started to get worse. I'm told RAI shouldn't be done where there is evidence of Thyroid Eye Disease...added to that, my goitre was in the process of crushing my windpipe, so in the end it came out sooner than scheduled!
Regarding your weight concerns...for what its worth, my weight is coming off far easier now that my levels are settled, and now that I have the motivation and energy to be more sustainably active etc.. All the while I was Graves/hyper and my levels were all over the palce, my weight would just keep piling on and refuse to shift.

Scrather1974 wrote: »

AND I still end up taking medication for life.... As much as it is nice seeing the Consultant and lining their pockets...

If your GP referred you to the consultant you shouldn't be paying, its free on the public system!

Scrather1974 wrote: »

Is there anyone who has had either Radioiodine treatment or surgery and what were the side effects. What are the beneifits and dissadvantages.

Yes, as detailed above, I had a TT in May '10.

As was explained to me...RAI, less invasive, but not guaranteed to work, have to have a period of isolation which can take a bit of organising, and if you're planning a family you can rule that out for 2 years or so. If you have a goitre, it won't be removed and only a slim chance that it may shrink a little bit. Personally I didn't like the idea of willingly allowing radio-active material to be pumped into my body...knowing it might have to be repeated if it didn't work first time.
Thyroidectomy (be it partial or total)...obviously a scar (which is minimal once settled and easily hidden with a necklace for social occasions),and a sore, immedate period of recovery. If partial, there's a very good chance, the remaining section of thyroid gland will cop itself on and start to work properly again, meaning no more meds,or much reduced meds!
There's loads more to consider for both options, I could type for hours, my best advice is to get to the library, get on line and research, research, research.

I chose surgery...but everyone has to make their own decision to fit in with their situation and what they want out of it. I just wanted mine gone because it was making my life a living hell!

Keep in touch!

tk123

dollydishmop wrote: »

As was explained to me...RAI, less invasive, but not guaranteed to work, have to have a period of isolation which can take a bit of organising, and if you're planning a family you can rule that out for 2 years or so. If you have a goitre, it won't be removed and only a slim chance that it may shrink a little bit. Personally I didn't like the idea of willingly allowing radio-active material to be pumped into my body...knowing it might have to be repeated if it didn't work first time.
Thyroidectomy (be it partial or total)...obviously a scar (which is minimal once settled and easily hidden with a necklace for social occasions),and a sore, immedate period of recovery. If partial, there's a very good chance, the remaining section of thyroid gland will cop itself on and start to work properly again, meaning no more meds,or much reduced meds!
There's loads more to consider for both options, I could type for hours, my best advice is to get to the library, get on line and research, research, research.

I chose surgery...but everyone has to make their own decision to fit in with their situation and what they want out of it. I just wanted mine gone because it was making my life a living hell!

Keep in touch!

This is how I thought of it too and went for surgery. When they opened me up it turned out the mass was a lot bigger than they expected so it would have been left there and I probably would have had to get it removed anyway. Two of my grandparents had cancer (lung and oesophageal) - my nana had died about 4 months before I was asked what I wanted to do so there was no way I was taking the risk of cancer with the RAI no matter how tiny it was with the memory of it so fresh in my mind!
It'll be 2 years in June since I had the surgey. No meds since the other side took over (woohoo) and I try to stick to eating low carb so I don't put on weight Apart from that I have no problems at all. I was in hospital in March for something else and when different staff asked had I been there before they were all impressed that I'd had the surgey so young (I'm 32 now) and suprised since my scar isn't that visible.

donnbradman

Hi guys, diagnosed with this just last week and was wondering if anyone had anyone any advice for me. I play a lot of sports and my performances have seriously deteriorated in the last few months. Am I best off taking a break? I must add at the start of the year I overtrained for about 6 months. It had resulted on significant weight loss to the point where I was diagnosed with an eating disorder

LegacyUser

I've just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. My GP is doing a referral. Does anyone know how long it takes to get a consult in a public hospital? Palpitations, weight loss, heat intolerance - I'd like to be seen soon. Thanks