After Radioactive iodine treatment : Hi lovely... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,265 members•166,540 posts

After Radioactive iodine treatment

Coulby profile image
Coulby
•23 Replies

Hi lovely people🫶

On the 1st of October I had Radioactive iodine treatment for Multinodular Goitre and Hyperthyroidism..I had the 6 wk blood test at "4pm"on Monday 11th Novemer.

Just now I received a phone call from my Specialist saying that my bloods were really good and the RAI had done its job and i will not need Levothyroxine...Of course im extremely happy...My bloods will be redone in 6wks to recheck. My question is..Is this result normal,as I still feel ill.

I don't have the results yet but they will be put on my portal and I will post them when I recieve them...

Can anyone share any answers ?

Happy silly season🎄

Written by
Coulby profile image
Coulby
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
23 Replies
•
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

What was tested? Do you have results? You still need monitoring for some time.

The full affect can take months. So it isn't guaranteed yet you won't become hypothyroid in the weeks to come. If that's the impression your doctor gave.

If your levels have just altered symptoms take time to completely resolve.

First you need to ensure your levels are stable and optimal then symptoms improve. It doesn't happen straight away.

Coulby profile image
Coulby• in reply toPurpleNails

T4 and 3 were tested...I specifically asked it I will be taking Levo and her reply was no you will not 🤷

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw• in reply toCoulby

Ideally you need to know what the blood test results actually were, together with their laboratory reference ranges.

As PurpleNails has said, it takes a while for the effects of RAI to fully show themselves, so if you continue to feel awful, it would be a good idea to ask for repeat blood tests.

Coulby profile image
Coulby• in reply toJazzw

Thanks for that...IL post them as soon as they arrive.arrive.She also said we will have you right by Christmas

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw• in reply toCoulby

Well, she may well be right, so it’s good to stay optimistic.

Coulby profile image
Coulby• in reply toJazzw

Yes indeed x

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test

This gives highest TSH and most consistent results.

were these tested BEFORE you had RAI ?

Coulby profile image
Coulby• in reply toSlowDragon

No they were not..I requested and was scripted for D3 monthly and B12 injections and the blood test just don't was at 4pm ??

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator• in reply toCoulby

Yes far too late in day ….get hold of actual results

See exactly what has been tested and what results are

Retest at 8-9am

Get vitamin levels tested at next test

Coulby profile image
Coulby• in reply toSlowDragon

Thankyou...I will do exactly that 🌻

Keys2theworld profile image
Keys2theworld

I had the RAI treatment and it worked for me. After the the first few weeks it all settled down. As my thyroid was effectively 'killed off' I take Levothyroxine daily at 80mg. This works for me.

Coulby profile image
Coulby• in reply toKeys2theworld

thanks for that...The bit I don't understand is she said I don't have to have Levo. ??

Hurtlocker profile image
Hurtlocker• in reply toCoulby

I think what your doctor mean was that you dont need Levothyroxine...YET..you probably will function for a while but you will become increasingly hypothyroid and need Levo to be well again ...it will be trial and error to get right dose but your bloods will tell your doctor the whole story after a few weeks as RAI is a slow burn which takes weeks to stop thyroid function completely and when it does you will need Levo to be well..Good luck and health again soon..

Coulby profile image
Coulby• in reply toHurtlocker

ahhh...Now I understand,thankyou x

Caradoc1a profile image
Caradoc1a

I had RAI in Jan this year for hyper active and it took 3 months for me to become significantly hypo. I thought I was doing fine and, then out walking one day, almost collapsed out of the blue. TSH was over 20. So take note of how you are feeling.

Caradoc1a profile image
Caradoc1a

It can take over 12 months for the thyroid to die.

humanbean profile image
humanbean

Having a TSH test done at 4pm will be very close to your minimum. Free T3 follows the same pattern as TSH except it is about one and a half hours behind TSH, so when you get your results your TSH might be lower than it ought to have shown in testing and your Free T3 might be quite low too.

I wonder if your TSH being close to its minimum is why your doctors are so enthusiastic about your results, when really it might be too high at 4pm to indicate a good result. Because if it had been tested at 8am - 9am it would have shown a higher result.

See the graphs on this link to see what I'm talking about :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Coulby profile image
Coulby• in reply tohumanbean

Thankyou for that...So interesting.Is this ok to show my doctor ? 🌻

humanbean profile image
humanbean• in reply toCoulby

We tend not to discuss timing of tests with doctors, but I'm not really sure under what circumstances that is true. It would be worth asking others for an opinion.

RedApple

greygoose

helvella

greygoose profile image
greygoose• in reply tohumanbean

Well, I live in France and things are different. You have to go to a lab for a blood test - there are one or two in every high street. They open around 8 am (usually a queue!) and don't take blood after 10 am, so I've always had mine done around 8.30. It would be unheard of to have a test at 4 pm! So, the question doesn't arise for me.

Only thing is, I once told a doctor I didn't go for the test that morning because I forgot to forgo my T3 that morning. He said, doesn't matter, wouldn't make any differece to the result. So, there you have it: ignorance reigns. :(

Coulby profile image
Coulby• in reply togreygoose

Wow..maybe I should move to France 😃

I so wish NZ was like that..Sounds like ignorance does rein 💫

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator• in reply toCoulby

Most of the answer to that question depends on your doctor and you. If you have a good relationship and your doctor is open to information and discussion, it could be a good move. If not, or less so, you will have to make the call!

These things are openly published so it is no secret!

There is a bit more here:

helvella - Scheduling Blood Draws

Factors to consider when choosing time for blood draws. Includes links to several documents/webpages and previous HealthUnlocked posts.

Last updated 12/08/2024

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

Digger0 profile image
Digger0

I had RI for Graves, and have to take Levo now for life as my thyroid was basically wiped out.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Radioactive iodine treatment worries

Hi everyone, I am due to have RAI on Friday following a thyroid uptake scan today, and as I am...
GreenGirl80 profile image
•

Radioactive iodine treatment

I have had hyperthyroidism for over two years now and my Endocrinologist wants me to have...
frankmac profile image
•

Radioactive Iodine Therapy

Hi I just wanted to write a really positive post! I was diagnosed with Graves Disease in the summer...
Roxychick profile image
•

Radioactive iodine treatment

2 weeks ago had Thyroidectomy plus glands removed. Waiting for the RAI. Terrified of salivary gland...
Ashupan profile image
•

Radioactive Iodine Treatment

Looking at the possibility of radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer as I’m not a good candidate for...
SnoopyJ profile image
•

Moderation team

See all
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator
helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.