The uptake results are in... and more confusion

[Yarn_]

I've received my uptake scan results today, which I was expecting to show a toxic nodule or few. Instead the report states.....

There is uptake seen throughout the thyroid gland with relative increased tracer activity on the right when compared to the left, however, no focal nodule is seen.

Thyroid to background ratio = 14.6 (normal range 0.5 - 3.5)

Conclusion Hyperfunctioning thyroid gland. No "toxic nodule".

My antibody tests last year were TPO 13.20 (0.0-34) and TRAb <1.10.

The hospital is already pushing for RAI which I'm hesitant about if it's Graves. So the question is does the above suggest Graves without the antibodies, or something else?

Many Thanks

[PurpleNails Administrator]

If TRAb <1.10 - Is the range? what was result?

TSI might be a more specific test as it tests the stimulating antibodies only.

What is current carbimazole dose?

Are doctors going by TSH or also looking at FT4 & FT3?

Doctors may conclude your hyper won’t resolve without permanent treatment - they aren’t curious enough to work out exactly what going on. very often doctors push for permanent treatment even in cases of Graves when remission is possible.

Just say would want to wait for now, they don’t need to know why & how long.

[Yarn_ in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you for getting back to me.

<1.10 was the result, sorry I missed the range... healthy person upper limit of normal 1.22, thyroid disease upper limit of normal 1.58.

Current carbimazole is 10mg one day 7.5mg the rest of the week. I feel very lucky that the hospital blood tests are both ft4 and ft3 and the labs are actually providing it 🙂

[Gingernut44 in reply to Yarn_]

Please do not be bullied into having RAI treatment. They don’t appear to know what’s causing your elevated thyroid hormones. Once your thyroid is destroyed, there’s no going back and you WILL become hypo and the majority of GPs seem to have little to no idea how to treat someone post RAI (sad but true).

[Yarn_ in reply to Gingernut44]

It's the becoming hypo which scares me the most. I already had a trial run at being hypo after the gp over prescribed the carbimazole..... Not nice was an understatement; and I'm thinking if they can't get that right, they're not likely to get the replacement right either

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

Not much else to say - I've said it all before -

If you wish to play for time and stay on AT drug - and not sure what to do - that's ok too:

The hospital will likely discharge you to be monitored by your doctor -

does this make any sense and an option worth considering for you ?

You can always change yor mind.

Do you know how to find your previous posts and all your replies ?

Simply pressthe Profile icon - top right on this screen.

Conversely iy you wish to read anybodt esle's posts and everything they have ever written simply press the icon alongside their name in any post.

[Yarn_ in reply to pennyannie]

I already have my first delay tactic.... I've been told I'm to become a Granny next year and I definitely wouldn't to do anything radioactive until after she's born

[pennyannie]

Knowing what I know now I would have refused RAI thyroid ablation back in 2005.

Just checking the BFTleaflets handed out t hospitals and they are still not informing patients of the risks involved nor anything - and totally biased.

Quite why this treatment option is still a first line treatment in what we understand to be a health care setting is beyond me -

I guess hospital O/P pressure and NHS guidelines take pecedence - even though we know some are not fit for purpose - and current research not acknowledged nor read.

Congratulations - I hope everything goes ok and you'll enjoy being Granny - and plan several further episodes so as to delay your treatment indefinately.