Im worried more about loosing my hair than my life. So far I feel strong and as I did before. Radioactive iodine therapy is a type of internal radiotherapy treatment for thyroid cancer. How can I speed up a metabolism if I dont have a thyroid anymore because of the RAI? I am concerned. You can find my recommendations on how to manage hair growth/hair loss with thyroid disease in this detailed guide: https://www.restartmed.com/thyroid-hair-loss/. One thing I didnt see in your article is the correlation of Thyroid to Diabetes and CTS. They are basically useless here, Ive been to two, and I am actually SCARED for the first time in my life. I have my EMG the end of the month and take things from there. Want to know why I'm so passionate about these topics? I am feeling all the emotions you described, depression is a big one, but all anyone is interested in is giving me another pill to make me happy again. I have battled my weight since I was a child, I had dropped from 400 pounds to 210 about six years prior, and was afraid all my efforts would be lost now. Hopefully, you're now a lot closer to figuring out what color you should dye your hair. A thyroid scan is a type of nuclear medicine imaging. There is a paucity of literature on the minimum interval between contrast administration and RAI therapy. Radioactive iodine can also show whether cancer has spread beyond the thyroid. This ThyCa has kicked my Gluteus Maximus but good! This is of particular concern because this can lead to internal uptake with the radioactive iodine then accumulating in their thyroids. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Along with a pain and numbness in my right hand. But why would you want to restore thyroid function to your thyroid gland if you had it destroyed because you were already producing too much? I have been asked to transport a friend who is having Radioactive Iodine treatment both the day of and a couple days later for her followup scan. Hi, doctor, I am in a lot of pain I stay cold 100 percent of the time with body aches sleepless nights. Ultrasound can also be performed if . I moved doctors in 2016 and my new GP immediately put my dosage down to 125 despite my protestations that I felt absolutely fine on 150. My TSH is very low but my free T3 indicates my body isnt using T3. not the treatment of choice for them. Total testosterone was :10.47(7.60-32) low Read our, An Overview of Thyroid Disease Treatments, The Low-Iodine Diet for Radioactive Iodine Treatment, Society of Nuclear Medicine Procedure Guidelines (PDF), Practice Recommendations of the American Thyroid Association (PDF). Avoid sleeping in the same bed with a pregnant woman, infant, or child for a period of six to 23 days. Thyroid hormone regulates the metabolic rate of an animal. As I am not a doctor, my specific question is why does the level of levothyroxine I require change if my thyroid was destroyed? In regards to diets that can help, please see this article: https://www.restartmed.com/hypothyroidism-diet/. Its not vain at all! So I stopped going. Just realize that you will always be in a sensitive category and you will be more likely to gain weight compared to people with their thyroid intact. You can omit the leptin resistance rx if weight isnt an issue (but it tends to be something that many RAI patients struggle with). The interesting part was the B12 level was normal at 737 but methylmalonic acid slightly high(319) and homocysteine at 13.9. In some radiation emergencies, usually nuclear power plant accidents, radioactive iodine may be released into the environment and enter the body through breathing or eating it. These are just a few of the questions that I want to answer in this article. The hardest time I had and have with my diet is getting hospital dietitian to understand that vegan/plant based does not mean fish and chicken are allowed. I had radiation treatment for my thyroid 5 days ago to shut down my thyroid. It doesn't matter where those cancerous cells might be. non dairy spreads such as Vitalite, Pure and non dairy Flora. Most thyroid patients who receive RAI treatment eventually end up hypothyroid and will need to take thyroid hormone replacement drugs indefinitely. Free T4. Many people undergo radioactive iodine treatment (RAI) without really understanding what is happening in their bodies. Learn which foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease of any type. Yup, the pain and numbness Dx CTS, that was put on the back burner for a while, as it wasnt all that troublesome at the moment. You may gain weight after you undergo radioactive iodine treatment. Because your thyroid gland concentrates and stores iodine in your body. This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Westin Childs and is for educational and information purposes only. In the mean time, thanks to the WWW. If weight loss is your primary goal then I would take a look at my weight loss program here: https://www.restartmed.com/hormone-mastery/. For example, uranium has thirty-seven different isotopes, including uranium-235 and uranium-238. Hey! Affected cats produce too much thyroid hormone. To protect family pets, do not sleep with them for up to 21 days. It may take some trial and error but 80% of patients should approximate normal symptoms over a few months. After that they again were having the same symptoms. Please help! For more details, see our Privacy Policy. Consuming excess iodine: If you're at risk for hyperthyroidism and consume too much iodine (through your diet or medications), it can cause your thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone. Many clinical studies have also confirmed that weight gain after RAI is a real risk. Before you or any family members have RAI treatment, it is strongly recommended that you read up on post-RAI guidelines and speak with your healthcare providers about how they should be applied to you. Then I get up at 7AM and during that first hour get my daily weight after I void and empty my bladder, and strip down for a true body weight. If your overactive thyroid symptoms persist 6 months after treatment, you may need a second dose. Question. 5 years ago I had intense radiation treatment for breast cancer and was told to avoid X-Rays, Cat Scan, unless absolutely necessary. Not everyone gains weight after RAI, if thats what you mean by treatment but if you are going to, it will start within 4-6 weeks of the procedure and may continue for several months. You might need contrast when you are having an X-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound exam. Therefore, it may be found in varying amounts in all food and beverages. The answer is maybe, and it depends on the person, how much damage was done to their thyroid, and other factors that arent always in your control. I am now 54 years old. After years of somewhat of a normal feeling with the Naturethroid I received a letter saying they were taking it off the market. This means avoiding public transportation, hotels, carpools, and in some cases, your . Several of my siblings make fun of me and say I am hiding but dont even know what Graves disease is and I was not around them and did not share my health issues until recently with them. I had RAI back in 2010 For Thyroid nodules And I have been on hormone replacement ever since I get my blood tested every 3 months And Im either too high or too low So I keep getting switched from a 112 To a dose of 125 This is been going on for several year several years so now my doctor has me switch every other day Between the 2 doses to see if this will stabilize my levels My problem is the weight gain That came after the RAI treatment treatment.. I saw 2 eye professionals. Keep Your Distance. Although hair dying can be an artifact on the postablation . This was published id a study by dr brunelli fro. My hair is the one and only thing about my looks that is considered beauty. Yes, radiation therapy causes hair loss. Hair follicles, which can influence hair shaft structure, length, and color, are known to respond to hormones including TSH. I have been diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse, asthma, arthritis, allergies, MCS, auto-immune thyroid disease, etc. My blood work prior was Leave a Comment Cancel Reply . It turns out, which should come as no surprise, that medications are not a 100% complete substitute for the activity that your thyroid gland does on a day-to-day basis. I was normal weight and now frustrated to be 30 pounds overweight. If below 100 I will consider a snack of some nuts or piece of fresh fruit. I dont want to go back to him but no one else will see me without a referral since Im still considered his patient. I tend to have a high heart rate when I exercise it goes up to 130 righ away then may go as high as 174 at harder workouts. To increase the effectiveness of your upcoming radioactive iodine therapy, you may be prescribed a low iodine diet. These are the questions that I want to focus on today and hopefully answer many of the current questions that you already have. I had this feeling when I went into surgery last Tuesday, but shrugged it off as just my fears in over time. Its often a far better use of your time to find a new doctor than try to convince an old doctor to change what they think: https://www.restartmed.com/how-to-find-a-doctor-to-treat-your-thyroid/. In the mean time, Im feeling worse about myself than with this original post. My GP at the time liked to keep me on that level despite blood results as he said it was better for patients to be at the higher end of the scale in case they needed a metabolic boost when ill. Thank you for any advice! My eyes improved for a while but now seem to be getting worse. Iodine is also sometimes prescribed as a topical treatment for certain conditions that cause hair loss on the scalp. No one told me about any of the particular foods to avoid, I told everyone that I am vegan/plant based diet to control my diabetes and because of many food intolerances to animal proteins. Can Hashimotos Be Reversed? I was wondering can I color my hair at a salon. Fifteen years ago diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and had RAI. If contrast dye is used, you may feel some effects when the dye is injected into the IV line. Another problem Ive faced is I ask one doctor about this or that feeling Im having and I get told that doctor doesnt deal with that have to tell the other doctor, I tell the other doctor and they tell me I have to tell another doctor because they dont deal with that issue. How will I know if I am producing my own thyroxine? Rarely, people can feel pain in their neck. I work hard at it. can i color my hair after radioactive iodinehtml5 interactive animation. Also I drink 100 ounces of water plus other hydrating fluids and food per day. Receiving intravenous iodinated contrast (iodine "dye") may also cause hyperthyroidism. This is probably not what you want to hear, especially if this is a procedure that is necessary for your health, but its still important to know about it. the tests after 3 weeks showed my TSH to be 12.920 and now she wants to increase the meds to 175. RAI is a form of radioactive nuclear medication that permanently destroys thyroid tissue. 20 yrs ago. cooked green vegetables. As a result, it isnt uncommon for some patients to suffer from persistent symptoms of hypothyroidism (meaning that they dont have enough thyroid hormone). Another doctor wants my temp and glucose readings, temp shes ok with once or twice during the day. If we extrapolate out this data then it means that on average 30% of all people who undergo RAI can expect to gain some kind of weight. Calculating the half life of radiation, it will be a couple months before I can be around nursing home residents and pregnant women, and each and every nursing home has several pregnant women on each unit and each shift. I was exercising and my nutrition intake is organic most fruits, vegetables, meets grass fed etc. My last blood test shows TSH of 0.02 and I have been asked to go for a follow up test. You probably will not feel sick during this time, but these precautions are in place to prevent you from accidentally harming another person! Should you expect to live a normal life afterward? Initially, before treatment I went to a renowned clinic due to having double vision. It was also noted my B/P was sometimes Hypertensive, and my glucose readings were starting to climb. The permanency can be seen as a benefit as patients condition will become stable and symptoms can be more easily controlled. MY QUESTION IS AM I ABLE TO WORK ABROAD WITH THIS. Taking a safe nascent iodine supplement may boost hair health and growth in the . 8.1, Because I began feeling very unhealthy this week further blood tests were done. June 7, 2022 . that I need doesnt come in one pill so Im taking 100 mcg one day and 75 on the other. No ill effects have been noted in the children born to parents who received radioactive iodine in the past. However, I havent been placed on any med after treatment what is your professional opinion. They all tell me Thyroid Cancer is the easy cancer. Ive certainly seen some patients reduce their total dose of thyroid medication by undergoing some natural therapies to help restore thyroid function after RAI (but the number of patients Ive seen in this category is somewhat limited). I would actually think about taking chances with the cancer instead of gaining weight. Flush the toilet twice after using it and wipe it thoroughly to properly get rid of radioactive fluids. of iodine, and only one is not radioactive (Iodine-127). Radioactive iodine (RAI) is a treatment method for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. The list includes optimal ranges, normal ranges, and the complete list of tests you need to diagnose and manage thyroid disease correctly! Its not just that I cant stand the heat I get overheated so fast that I have to get in the AC or I feel like Im gonna pass out. Instead of working to actively reduce thyroid function in your body (which is what the treatment for hyperthyroidism is), you may want to start focusing on how to optimize what little thyroid function you have left. My endo physician would not increase the dosage so I went to my G.P. Currently they have me on a combination of 100mcg Synthroid with 1 Grain of Armour (60mg. Will you be able to maintain your current weight? How is this happening? TSH. The combination you would want to try if you are post RAI is as follows: Thyroid Daily Essentials 1 packet each day https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-daily-essentials-thyroid-multivitamin/ And to key to getting there is to understand what happens to your body after this procedure and how it influences your thyroid function. My exercise routine has been reduced because of back injuries and arthritis. Please help me what to do with this. Dr.DanielleWeiss is the founder of the Center for Hormonal Health and Well-Being, a personalized, proactive, patient-centered medical practice with a unique focus on integrative endocrinology. Iodine and Hair Loss. My only option for help is the ER which is somewhere I dont want to go with all the crap a going around. Stay at least six feet away from other people, including members of the public, family members, and co-workers, for three to 11 days. I know they are going to try to drop me further. I was put on Levothyroxine 175, then when I met my endocrinologist, by that time TSH levels had dropped some so Levothyroxine down to 137. Yes I took the radation iodine pill five days ago what can I take for itchy skin I got some cortisone will that help. Catnip works for lighter colors. While we are on the topic of thyroid medication we should also spend a few minutes talking about other symptoms you may experience. Radioactive iodine does not produce hair loss. Radioactive iodine is a type of iodine that is radioactive - iodine 131 (I-131). I expect to be back to probably about 60 to maybe 70% and that is pushing it. To decrease the spread of radioactivity: If possible, use a separate bathroom. The average thyroid patient gains about 15 to 20 pounds after RAI/thyroidectomy and this weight is more pronounced if the thyroid patient was overweight prior to the procedure. It is worth pointing out, however, that some other tissues can take up the radioactive iodine such as the beta cells in your pancreas (2) though it isnt clear how much damage exists (if any) in these other cells. I have Hypothyroid Mom readers struggling with hypothyroidism now since treatment for their Graves' with radioactive iodine (RAI) or thyroidectomy. I have spoken to my doctor about it but he doesnt care. Im so confused my gp has no explanation my hair is falling out I dont eat anything only 3oranges a day and pure fruit juice now I have moderate atrophy on my pancreas and I cant get into a specialist for 1-2 years ., can h explain whats really going on, Please see this article for more information on managing hair loss with thyroid problems: https://www.restartmed.com/thyroid-hair-loss/. He just does my blood work and adjusts my medicine as needed. Because of PTC, I had a total thyroidectomy two weeks ago and now on Levo. Now that you are considered to be hypothyroid there is a world of potential therapies, supplements, regimens, and protocols that are available to you. Told to me by each and everyone whos never had this cancer! Welcome to my website! Instead, you are now hypothyroid (7) (meaning you dont produce enough thyroid hormone on your own). Please give me your thoughts. You can obviously survive after RAI (otherwise they wouldnt do the procedure) but I want to teach you how to thrive afterward. About 25 years ago they killed my thyroid with radioactive iodine. Radioiodine treatment avoids surgery, anesthesia, and anti-thyroid drugs. Small amounts of I-131 may also leave through your saliva, sweat and feces. I feel good, but still struggling with tiredness and some weight gain (some weight gain due to post menopause). Your doctor should monitor you for symptoms of hypothyroidism after RAI treatment. If you find that your TSH is high or that your free t3/free t4 is low, then this may be the cause of your symptoms. If you havent already then you would probably want to make sure it isnt your other hormones causing these issues. Any suggestions? If you fit into this category then you may not need to use thyroid medication afterward. As it turned out, my fears, or premonitions were right. Radioactive iodine therapy is a systemic and targeted treatment. This means avoiding public transportation, hotels, carpools, and in some cases, your workplace. I keep telling them that I dont feel so good flaking nails, dry skin, fatigue, weight-loss resistant with brain fog. My hair has always been my pretty part of me, the one thing that makes me feel like a pretty girl. I have a quick question. American Thyroid Association. NOT GOING TO TAKE MORE PILLS! Some on the list I cant take to begin with, iron is one, when I take it, no matter how strict I am about taking it so many hours before or after other meds and meals, I still puke it up about fifteen to twenty minutes after taking it. These symptoms are not caused by the procedure itself but rather a consequence of the damage of the thyroid gland and the inability of your body to produce thyroid hormone. I am on my own taking more precautions, and going at this as a Haz Mat Tech, Yes, Im that too, as I am a volunteer fire fighter/EMT/ and wear many other hats as well as Haz Mat Tech and am certified in Decon operations. This shouldnt stop you from trying natural therapies (as long as they are relatively inexpensive and not harmful) but you should have reasonable expectations as you do so. I had radiation iodine therapy in late September. And how can I persuade my GP to think about more than a TSH reading? I had severe fatigue, sweats etc and they did labs and said my count was high 5.4 and referred me to a civilian provider. is this a side effect of this proceedure. And in addition to going back to surgery for the left lobectomy, to expect to be on the Radioactive Iodine therapy. For my surgery in April, I had a double whammy because a week prior to my surgery I had a molar tooth extracted with surgical dental sedation, and was still on a soft diet, so that was easy, they supplied me with baby food pureed fruits the entire time I was in the hospital. Radioactive iodine may also be helpful for people with certain types of thyroid cancer. I felt well on this level. The real concern with radiation exposure to others in your family has more to do with them coming into contact with actual contamination. I have noticed more and more symptoms within the past 5 years That lead me to believe i May have become hypothyroid. 3 days after that I started to become sick after I ate an unable to sleep. Severe reactions occur in 0.04% to 0.02% of people receiving contrast, with a death rate of one person in every 170,000. The last person put me on methazolo and I read the awful side affects. It does have effect : Radioactive dyes containing iodine of the iodide type can cause permanent thyroid damage and cancer. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. If it doesnt go away then you have your answer, and if it does go away then you also have your answer.