Hyperactive Thyroid

I had radioactive iodine treatment about 20 years ago. It's very easy, just take some pills, then come back the next day (or two, I don't remember exactly) for another scan. They may tell you to stay away from babies and young children for a few days, although not all doctors feel that is necessary.

The pills you take contain irradiated iodine. Because virtually all the iodine you ingest naturally (in salt, seafood, whatever) is taken up by your thyroid, this is a good means to get the radiation to your thyroid and only to your thyroid. That radiation will destroy all or part of yout thyroid gland, but will not affect you otherwise. No burns, no hair loss, no sickness as you see with radiation for cancer, because it specifically targets the thyroid and the dose is very small.

After this treatment, you will slowly become less hyperthyroid and eventually you will likely become hypothyroid because the destroyed gland can't produce hormones. Then you will be prescribed replacement hormone to take in a pill every day. For most of us life continues unchanged after the levels are regulated. This can take six months to a year in some cases, so be prepared to be patient. The important thing is that you will gradually be feeling better and better.

Good luck, and feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

At the time I had my therapy, it was the overwhelmingly most common method in the US when radiation was used for hyperthyroidism. Radiation can also be given by external radiation beam (the same as for cancer), but I'm totally unfamiliar with that method.

Saw the endocrinologist for the first time today. The prescribed methimazole 30 mg morning and night. Just took my first dose and hoping to feel better soon. All they can talk about is cooling me down. I would be happy to just sleep through the night.

KHOOD, please get copies of your labs. Every time you get them. Keep them in a binder.
This is an EXTREMELY high dose. 30 or maybe 45 is given for every active Graves except for extraordinary circumstances. Even though Tap. has a longer half life than PTU, I would consider splitting your dose in thirds, i.e. taking 20 mg. every 8 hours give or take, without disrupting your sleep. Of course, check with your doctor.
I don't know what your doctor's schedule is for you but insist on getting labs no later than four weeks on this dose, a full panel. Do NOT let him keep you on this dose if your T3 and T4 are moving, TSH can stay suppressed long into treatment. It is not unusual to have the starting dose halved at this point.

My apologies if it sounds like I'm dispensing medical advice but this is very disconcerting, without further info.