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Thyroid (Expert Forum)
Is radioactive iodine really safe?
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
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Is radioactive iodine really safe?
by tanlis, May 25, 2007 12:00AM
I'm 22 years old and I've had Graves disease for about 5 years now. I'm married and a mother of a 14 month old. The doctor I see keeps telling me that after five years and no signs of the disease going away my next options are to continue to take my meds for the rest of my life or radioactive iodine. I plan to have at least one more baby. I'm still young and feel too young to go through something like that. Should I go for it?
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., May 28, 2007 12:00AM
, May 28, 2007 12:00AM
This is one of the toughest Graves questions we face.
The textbook answer is treat with I-131 and wait 12 months (or AT LEAST 6 MONTHS) to try for next pregnancy. The rationale is that it is easier to control the thyroid once the I-131 ablation is done, and this will result in more stable levels during pregnancy and avoid exposing the baby to anti-thyroid drugs like PTU or Tapazole. In this case, you would need to be away from the 14mo old for several days because of the radiation safety issues.
The other option is to continue the antithyroid drugs and watch closely during pregnancies.
The textbook answer is treat with I-131 and wait 12 months (or AT LEAST 6 MONTHS) to try for next pregnancy. The rationale is that it is easier to control the thyroid once the I-131 ablation is done, and this will result in more stable levels during pregnancy and avoid exposing the baby to anti-thyroid drugs like PTU or Tapazole. In this case, you would need to be away from the 14mo old for several days because of the radiation safety issues.
The other option is to continue the antithyroid drugs and watch closely during pregnancies.
I was on ATD's for 4 1/2 years and had no problem finding a surgeon to do the surgery.
Find one that performs 3-4 thyroid surgeries a week to be sure you get an experienced one.
WIth a 14 months in the house and the prospect of you having more children I thing a TT would be a safer option.
It's your life and your decision. Why risk any possable exposure of radioactivity to either your child or husband. Three days is not enough in my opinon to guarantee no ill effects.
Insurance companies never turn down thyroid removal surgeries, per my thyroid surgeon.
I'm 2 1/2 years post op and doing great!
I know they say that RAI is safe & effective. I had RAI for Graves in Feb of 2005 & I have to say I haven't felt well since. I was not educated enough on my options or I would have refused any permanant solution at that time. I'm taking Armour thyroid & on almost full replacement (180mg). Three months after the RAI my TSH went from undetectable to 89 in a 1 months span. At the same time as my TSH of 89 TED started. I've had (5) eye surgeries in the past 1 1/2 years for thyroid eye disease & haven't returned to work since the fall of 2004. It seems that the RAI stopped my thyroid from reacting to the antibodies but the rest of my body has paid. I am also now having problems with increased red blood & white blood cell production. And now I wonder if the RAI has caused that. They mention leukemia as a possible side effect on some of the web sites.
I don't even know that I would have had surgery but I would have definately taken meds as long as possible before doing anything permanant to ruin my thyroid, esp. RAI. If I was tolerating the meds well I probably would have remained on them until the immune attack finally burned out. Hind sight is 20/20, they say.
I'm not telling you what to do. I'm just relaying my experience for what it's worth.
God Bless, TJ
I hope things work out better for you, tanlis . TJ
We are not all alike, so not all of us suffer.
Good Luck,
Pam