Thyroid treatment

[Stell55]

Hi all 3 years ago I was diagnosed with graves I am waiting to have it burned out with radiation has anyone else had this done it would be helpful to get some input please x

[galathea]

Why are you going for radiation rather than an operation? Have you been given a choice? How are you doing on medication? Have you managed to keep the hyper symtoms under control?

How do you feel?

Some people have had thyroids removed surgically and some have had radiactive iodine. If you search through the posts by searching in the box, top left of this page, you will find the different opinions.

I have never had my thyroid removed, though i personally would not opt for radio iodine as in my opinion the side effects are not worth the risk.... many people would agree with me, but others disagree.....

Suggest you read up everything you can, before hand.

Here are some links to some of the previosu posts.....

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/t...

healthunlocked.com/search/r...

Xx g

[AUniqueID]

Hi, I had radioiodine treatment in November. I chose this over the offer of surgery, as I was informed they only do a full thyroidectomy and no longer do partial. The chance of still having a functioning thyroid after treatment was the deciding factor.

The treatment itself was straight forwards, a meeting with the radiology dept. and a scan followed up a few weeks later by a single pill (gingerly handled by the physicist) and instructions to keep away from people for several weeks.

I felt no symptoms, but psychologically having to limit close contact with the family was hard. Plus work wouldn't let me in as there is a pregnant lady in the office, and they considered me too great a risk for her.

In the last few weeks my thyroid has stopped working (there is a 1 in 3 chance with RAI that this happens apparently) and I've been very ill with it. My GP has freaked out due to reduced kidney function (eGFR) and high blood pressure. I'm not too worried though as whenever I mention these things to the Endo (I attend the clinic in Barnsley Infirmary who have been excellent throughout my treatment) and they are never concerned and just say to treat the thyroid first and then worry about those things if they are still present once my levels are back in range.

The only reason I went to the GP (and then Endo, long story) is because I was experiencing dizziness, I thought it was just the hangover from a cold over Christmas, but it was getting worse and I had started with double vision.

The good news is I'm starting to feel much better now I'm on levothtroxin (started on 100 micrograms/day, obviously monitored until levels normalise). Thankfully, up until now I have always responded well to the standard treatments offered.