Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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.

Question 7

6 weeks after thyroidectomy tall cell free t4 2.1 tsh 0.71 tg less than 0.1 tgab less than 1.8 have not had radioactive iodine. are these numbers good and is it normal to have these numbers if no rai? 8mm tumor 2 nodes of 2 taken distant metastisis?

Accepted Answer

: We would have to be given the normal values for these levels to answer your question.  Since radioactive iodine with or without hormone therapy is rather standard treatment for metastatic thyroid cancer ,I wonder if it is going to be administered to you. I assume you're being treated and followed by the head&amp; neck surgeon as well as by an oncologist with an interest in thyroid cancer treatment

Question 8

i had a partial thyroidectomy and the radioactive iodine treatment for the other side due to goiter-nodule with small cancer. synthroid (thyroxine) reduced-why?

Accepted Answer

For RAI to Work: The overall treatment is a little confusing as cancer is usually surgically removed, but there are a few reasons to lower your Synthroid (thyroxine). It may be held for a while so your left over thyroid tries to work and will suck up the RAI. The other reason is when the thyroid cells die they will release thyroid hormone. This could temp make you hyperthyroid. Eventually your dose will be adjusted again.

Question 9

what are symptoms of getting radioactive iodine from a patient?

Accepted Answer

Radio active: Wrong question. You need to work hard to avoid that happening. If possible don't share a bathroom or toilet for a week after getting the radioactive iodine. If not feasible one of you must wait an hour or longer before sharing toilet facilities.

Question 10

is it safe to be near a person who has had radioactive iodine for?

Accepted Answer

Yes: As long as you're at normal conversational distances, there's really almost no risk. There is a risk, however, to a small child or infant that is held close to your neck for an extended period of time. The radioactivity level drops down quickly in usually about 2 days.

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Doctor answers about:

Thyroidectomy vs radioactive iodine

A member asked:

Radioactive iodine versus partial thyroidectomy, explain please?

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:

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:

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.

A member asked:

6 weeks after thyroidectomy tall cell free t4 2.1 tsh 0.71 tg less than 0.1 tgab less than 1.8 have not had radioactive iodine. are these numbers good and is it normal to have these numbers if no rai? 8mm tumor 2 nodes of 2 taken distant metastisis?

A member asked:

I had a partial thyroidectomy and the radioactive iodine treatment for the other side due to goiter-nodule with small cancer. synthroid (thyroxine) reduced-why?

A member asked:

What are symptoms of getting radioactive iodine from a patient?

A member asked:

Is it safe to be near a person who has had radioactive iodine for?

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