Asking for advice following RAI

[Sparklingsunshine]

My MIL, bless her had an RAI several years ago due to hyperthyroidism. I often wonder if they got it right as she never fitted the profile for overactive. I know she's always struggled with weight gain and if anything I would have said she was more hypo than hyper.

Several years later she's never been put on Levo, she's not in good health, has type 2 diabetes, arthritis and is now housebound. I often wonder if some of her issues are caused by not being on thyroid replacement. Apparently her thyroid blood tests are in range ( we all know that means diddly squat) and her doctor's surgery is appalling. I thought mine weren't great but hers are worse than useless. I'm questioning whether I believe her thyroid are ok.

I guess my question is is it possible to have an RAI and not need Levo or some other form of thyroid replacement. Can enough of your own thyroid survive to make what you need? I've told her to get access to her blood tests for reference. I've also advised her to get a private thyroid test done.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

I’d be extremely suspicious too. In theory it is possible to give a dose which reduces function but not completely destroy thyroid.

The majority become hypothyroid but medics generally monitor after treatment for 6 months. In reality the full affect tends to take much longer.

TSH testing is totally inadequate. After a period of hyper the TSH can be particularly unreliable. My TSH has always remained below range. So it may appear in range but it’s vital the FT4 & FT3 is tested.

Would she have a private test?

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to PurpleNails]

I'm hoping to persuade her. Me and hubby help her out as much as possible so I could post off a test for her. I'm not saying her thyroid issues are the root of all her health problems but she has mentioned extreme fatigue and bodily pain which as we all know are hypo symptoms. I know the NHS Endo washed his hands of her following the RAI. Which sounds like poor care.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Make sure to include vitamin and antibodies testing when she gets private test

all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am

This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[pennyannie]

The most recent research is here and I can't believe she doesn't need some form of thyroid hormone replacement as the dose of RAI is not as exacting as one might think ;

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/306...

I had RAI thyroid ablation for Graves in 2005 and became extremely unwell in around 2014/15:

Details on my profile page :