How long should it take to regulate my thyroid after a thyroid eradication ? i took the radiation pill a year ago in december and my thyroid is still not regulated. i have blood work done every 6 weeks and my pills keep changing.

It : It usually takes 3-6 months to get the thyroid regulated after i-131, but it may take a year or more. Reasons for difficulty getting the thyroid regulated include 1) not taking the medication on an empty stomach 2) taking antacids or medicines like Zantac (ranitidine) or Prilosec which decrease absorption of the thyroid 3) taking calcium or iron at the same time you take the thyroid, 4) checking labs too frequently and 5) relying on inappropriate lab tests. If you have a TSH level in the normal range, and you are feeling well, then you are regulated.

Radioactive : Radioactive iodine is a common treatment for grave's disease, a form of hyperthyroidism. Generally, the treatment works very well. But the treatment takes time to have its full effect. The first signs of successfull treatment may take months to occur, and the thyroid blood test may not settle down for a year or more. That said, there is a failure rate with this treatment of about 10%, in other words, about 1 in 10 patients will need another dose of iodine. Finding the right dose of thyroid replacement takes patience too. Everyone's thyroid replacement is different and can change as the years go by. By doing the blood test regularly your doctor is keeping a close eye on the situation.