Graves Disease - iodine treatment

[reddevil432000]

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with graves and hyperthyroidism about 3 years back (probably had this for about 10 years) and I have been on carbimozle since then. The lowest dose I was put on was 5mg but then my T3 and T4 went up and TSH went down hence my consultant decided to put me back on 10 mg which I have been taking since last year.

My consultant has been asking and recommending me about the iodine treatment as she believes I won’t go any lower plus there is no real chance of me going into remission. I have been thinking about biting the bullet and getting that done and then take thyroxine for the life but should I give it another year before getting that treatment or is it too optimistic?

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Many do well after Radioactive iodine treatment - once stable on the right level levothyroxine and are glad to over the uncontrollable high hyper levels.

However a minority do struggle to be adequately replaced after treatment and this appears to be because doctors dose by TSH alone and patients are left in a hypothyroid or near hypothyroid state or conversion to FT3 is compromised long term & low FT3 = hypothyroid symptoms.

You’d be trading balancing hyper levels which doctors view as potential dangerous and expensive to monitor by hospital specialist for hypo which doctors view a easily treated by a GP in primary care.

If you well controlled on carbimazole I would not agree to RAI. You can remain on carbimazole long term & there is still a fair chance of Graves remission.

You also have the option of surgery, doctors imply RAI is your only option. It’s the drs preferred option as it’s very easily administered but the treatment is your choice. Don’t be pressured & agree once you are comfortable with the plan.