Question 1

i take 75 synthroid (thyroxine) after a thyroidectomy.  would an iodine supplement help?   how would i know if i were iodine deficient?

Accepted Answer

Iodine not needed: The primary organ that uses iodine is the thyroid. If your thyroid is removed, then an iodine supplement will not be of use.  In addition, there is a lot of iodine in a normal diet.  It is very hard to become iodine deficient in all but a handful of remote regions of the world.

Question 2

how long after a complete thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine until you get your stamina back? my surgery was october 19, 2010 and ri was done nov 30

Accepted Answer

Within a few weeks: You should be on replacement therapy with levothyroxine.  If your TSH level is normal and you still feel not right you can consider adding a bit of t3 (liothyronine).  Either that or there is another completely different cause for your symptoms.

Question 3

radioactive iodine versus partial thyroidectomy, explain please?

Accepted Answer

Need more info: Radioactive iodine is often used for graves' disease which is a hyperactive thyroid condition. I am assuming you were given this option or partial thyroid removal to control the problem. The radioactive therapy is usually preferred  but sometimes surgery is better depending on many issues.  You need to discuss with endocrinologist and surgeon.

Question 4

had a succesful total thyroidectomy last week, and i let my brother clean the incision, he is a nurse, he used iodine, is it harmful?

Accepted Answer

No: If he had a total thyroidectomy, he will be on replacement thyroid hormone with levothyroxin for example or other thyroid hormone preparation. Whether you had a topical exposure to iodine should not make any difference. It would not be harmful.

Question 5

how safe is radiation iodine treatment after a thyroidectomy.

Accepted Answer

Safe: Treatment with radioactive iodine is common after thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer.  It decreases the chance of recurrent disease significantly.  It is generally well tolerated.  The most common side effect is a dry mouth due to less saliva production.  Radiation exposure to your body is relatively low.  The chance of radiation side effects is related to the dose.

Question 6

to ablate remnant tissue after complete thyroidectomy(initially had multiple noduls, 1-ca node), what maximum dose of radioactive iodine be taken?

Accepted Answer

Depends: The dose is related to the risk of recurrent disease.  The larger the primary tumor, the higher the risk.  In your age group (under 45 yo) the risk is relatively low, even with having a positive lymph node.  The recommended dose would be as low as 30 mci or as high as 100.

Question 7

what are the risks of radio iodine treatment? as i don't know whether to choose that or thyroidectomy.

Accepted Answer

Works: It's the treatment of choice for graves. It's usually successful. It can't be given during pregnancy but there's no problem with a later pregnancy after treatment is complete. Be aware that you will almost certainly need to take a thyroid supplement for the rest of your life afterwards.

Question 8

should i consider radioactive iodine therapy for regrowth of tissue after -partial, then total thyroidectomy?

Accepted Answer

It depends : That would depend on the original diagnosis and reason for thyroidectomy. If it was for benign modular disease or goiter then it shouldn't be necessary. If it was treatment of cancer then it is probably advisable but there are other factors that would need to be explored with your doctor.

Question 9

what are the risks of radioactive iodine after total thyroidectomy for cancer?

Accepted Answer

See list: -metallic taste in your mouth.
-dry mouth.
-sore throat.
-neck pain. Radioactive iodine treatment can make your neck swell up or hurt.
-nausea or vomiting, which is usually mild.
-constipation or diarrhea.
-fatigue.

Question 10

is radioactive iodine a fairly safe treatment after total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer? i'm 42 years old.

Accepted Answer

Do it: This is routine after surgery for certain types and stages of thyroid cancer, is standard of care, has contributed to the fairly high cure rate even when these are quite aggressive, and if this was recommended to you by scientific physicians, you should do this without fear that there is anything they are not telling you.

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Doctor answers about:

Iodine supplements after a complete thyroidectomy

A member asked:

I take 75 synthroid (thyroxine) after a thyroidectomy. would an iodine supplement help? how would i know if i were iodine deficient?

A member asked:

How long after a complete thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine until you get your stamina back? my surgery was october 19, 2010 and ri was done nov 30

A member asked:

Radioactive iodine versus partial thyroidectomy, explain please?

A member asked:

Had a succesful total thyroidectomy last week, and i let my brother clean the incision, he is a nurse, he used iodine, is it harmful?

A member asked:

How safe is radiation iodine treatment after a thyroidectomy.

A member asked:

To ablate remnant tissue after complete thyroidectomy(initially had multiple noduls, 1-ca node), what maximum dose of radioactive iodine be taken?

A member asked:

What are the risks of radio iodine treatment? as i don't know whether to choose that or thyroidectomy.

A member asked:

Should i consider radioactive iodine therapy for regrowth of tissue after -partial, then total thyroidectomy?

A member asked:

What are the risks of radioactive iodine after total thyroidectomy for cancer?

A member asked:

Is radioactive iodine a fairly safe treatment after total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer? i'm 42 years old.

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