Everybody tells me that my thyroid being killed should have nothing to do with the heat affecting me like it does. This is probably not what you want to hear, especially if this is a procedure that is necessary for your health, but its still important to know about it. They said I have HYPERthyroidism but she said I have a HIGH metabolism which doesnt make sense?! Radioactive Iodine (Radioiodine) Therapy for Thyroid Cancer It may take some trial and error but 80% of patients should approximate normal symptoms over a few months. Here is my story: A year ago I felt a bump on the right side of my neck, so on a routine follow up visit with my PCP for diabetes, I mentioned it to him. Radioactive Iodine: What to Expect at Home - Alberta I welcome Barbara Lougheed, author of the book Tired Thyroid: From Hyper to Hypo to Healing - Breaking the TSH Rule. These are just a few of the questions that I want to answer in this article. I had RAI treatment for severe Graves disease in 1993. ", Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. So, if I go to bed earlier, I have to set my alarm clock to get up to take the damn pill, then have a hard time to get back to sleep, then just when I do fall into slumber, its time to get up and going for the day, and take a list of other meds, and monitor VS and glucose readings. I moved doctors in 2016 and my new GP immediately put my dosage down to 125 despite my protestations that I felt absolutely fine on 150. As a result, it isnt uncommon for some patients to suffer from persistent symptoms of hypothyroidism (meaning that they dont have enough thyroid hormone). What To Expect After Radioactive Iodine Treatment Tips for Eating and Cooking While on a Low Iodine Diet. Hi Dr. Childs, You can opt-out at any time. I had RAI treatment year 2010, and now I am taking levothyroxine for my hormonal replacement since I am considered as hypothyroid patient. my RAI, i have rough horsey voice also for a month . <0.01 If it doesnt go away then you have your answer, and if it does go away then you also have your answer. Shower once a day to rinse away the leftover radioiodine, but make sure to scrub the shower well after using it. My endocrinologist said RAI didnt work I need surgery or second RAI treatment my other hormone results was :FSH 5.3(1.5-12.4)LH:8.8(1.7-8.6) The next person to tell me how easy this cancer is, Im going to pull their toenails out threw their nostrils then tie them in a knot out their but hole. Its been a week after But what if you only destroy 30 to 40% of your gland function? The good news is that this radioactivity does fade over a short period of time (usually 5 to 7 days) but the bad news is that you need to stay under certain precautions during this time. It is a measurement of thyroid function, but does not involve imaging. Hi Im worried more about loosing my hair than my life. You can expect to live a fairly normal life after radioactive iodine treatment but your life will probably not be exactly as it was before your procedure. Minimizing Risks After Radioactive Iodine Treatment - Verywell Health These symptoms are not caused by the procedure itself but rather a consequence of the damage of the thyroid gland and the inability of your body to produce thyroid hormone. I had RAI 20 plus years, I am 56 and my numbers are good. Should you expect to live a normal life afterward? Its not just that I cant stand the heat I get overheated so fast that I have to get in the AC or I feel like Im gonna pass out. It has to do with how important your thyroid is in regulating your metabolism and your weight. Im at the point now where I told all the doctors for my medical team, and team being the operative word here, that Im not going to offer anymore feelings of what Im going threw, or feeling, Im not going to ask anything, nothing, you all have my lab reports and other diagnostics, y all can figure it out for yourselves! You usually take radioactive iodine as a capsule that you swallow. Neck tenderness and swelling. If we extrapolate out this data then it means that on average 30% of all people who undergo RAI can expect to gain some kind of weight. biotin or a hair and nail vitamin might be good. My hair has always been my pretty part of me, the one thing that makes me feel like a pretty girl. Will my house retain radioactivity after a therapy dose? Hello Dr .Child Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. The average thyroid patient gains about 15 to 20 pounds after RAI/thyroidectomy and this weight is more pronounced if the thyroid patient was overweight prior to the procedure. These are the questions that I want to focus on today and hopefully answer many of the current questions that you already have. One of the more surprising aspects of getting RAI done is the fact that you are quite literally radioactive after your procedure. Iodine is essential for proper function of the thyroid gland, which uses it to make the thyroid hormones. my husband had the iodine radiation, for Graves disease. Can You Eat Soy If You Have a Thyroid Condition? I am worried the medication or added T3 (Armour)is making that happen and it could be hurting my heart. Have you ever heard of this before? You can expect to live a fairly normal life after radioactive iodine treatment but your life will probably not be exactly as it was before your procedure. OR IT WILL BE GIVE ME PROBLEM? I saw 2 eye professionals. Improving gut function can be done through diet and supplements. Radiation can be measured around your body and I-131 is present in your skin oil and sweat. Can you tell me about when I will start medication, or should I be tested first? You're given a drink or capsule that contains iodine and a low dose of radiation, which is . My weight seems to be of no concern to him as long as my blood work looks okay. Rinse your hair with warm water and shampoo it. Yes, radiation therapy causes hair loss. Im having my RAI tomorrow, and my oncologist said I could go back to work right after. One thing I didnt see in your article is the correlation of Thyroid to Diabetes and CTS. Hi doc! The answer is maybe, and it depends on the person, how much damage was done to their thyroid, and other factors that arent always in your control. How will I know if I am producing my own thyroxine? What can I be looking at regarding weight gain. (I also bought a digital scale to get the most accurate weight) Then my full set of VS and glucose readings. You may gain weight after you undergo radioactive iodine treatment. Because your thyroid gland concentrates and stores iodine in your body. Looking forward to your feedback . If weight loss is your primary goal then I would take a look at my weight loss program here: https://www.restartmed.com/hormone-mastery/. They are basically useless here, Ive been to two, and I am actually SCARED for the first time in my life. Iodine and Hair Loss. Do not share any towels, razors, toothbrushes, cups, spoons, forks, or dishes. I have Graves Disease and lost 40 pounds. It is not common in the United States to hospitalize patients after RAI, but if you are receiving a particularly high dosage of iodine 131 and have no way to protect children or babies, it may be an option. SHBG :43 (16-55) The problem is that once you destroy your thyroid gland you are no longer considered to be hyperthyroid. I was being treated for hypothyroidism and graves . Theres a higher risk that the cancer comes back but its also a way to preserve some thyroid function. Additionally, there is also a hypersensitivity reaction. Lowered heart rate. ordinary table salt and sea salt. 1-2 Capsules of Leptin Resistance RX daily https://www.restartmed.com/product/leptin-resistance-rx/. of radiation.But I wonder after that if I can dye my hair.Unforuntly it is coming back completly gray.I will be thankful to have hair.But I don,t look good with gray either.I know some people do.Someone said they thought you had to wait a year.I hope their wrong.Thanks for your replys. Your hair should be colored before a BK treatment. My last blood test shows TSH of 0.02 and I have been asked to go for a follow up test. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. I had RAI about 15 years ago and yes I have gained weight, less energy & I sweat a lot(buckets) doing nothing Drugs That Induce Hair Color Changes - Owlcation Why have millions of patients been treated with Radioactive Iodine When you are given radioactive iodine, it is taken up by cancer cells and destroys themincluding those that have spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Radioactive iodine treatment is a therapy that your veterinary surgeon may recommend if your cat is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Radioactive iodine does not produce hair loss. You can get by this side effect by simply banking some of your sperm prior to your procedure and then using that sperm at a later date with procedures such as intrauterine insemination. FSH was :4.33(1.50-12.40) What should I do after this treatment to restore my metabolic functioning and gut biome? The radiation will pass out of your body through your urine within days. Or longer Hi, doctor, I am in a lot of pain I stay cold 100 percent of the time with body aches sleepless nights. I dont have any definitive results/reports as yet, however, I do have that gut feeling. What medications (if any) will you need to be on? I am considering following up with the endocrinologist in the morning. Endocrine Today | A 25-year-old woman was referred for radioactive iodine remnant ablation for multifocal micropapillary thyroid carcinoma. So, I have to laugh at your 80 to 90% back to a normal life. I had never been to endocrinology prior and had no idea about thyroid function. Radioactive iodine (often abbreviated RAI) is a therapy used to treat hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. Use vitamin C powder. Stay at least six feet away from other people, including members of the public, family members, and co-workers, for three to 11 days. My question is even though my thyroid is dead, should the T3 and T4 level be tested as well? Need better symptom control? Take care in washing, treating and grooming your hair. It may sound counterintuitive, but youll understand why you might want to after your procedure. My entire life has been turned upside down. To increase the effectiveness of your upcoming radioactive iodine therapy, you may be prescribed a low iodine diet. And Ive become Flat with my emotions now. In most reports, the side effects include contrast dye allergy reactions, hyperthyroidism, and contrast-induced nephropathy accumulation of metformin. Radioactive iodine therapy | Cancer treatment - Cancer Research UK