radioactive iodine treatment

I am 43 year old female that's been suffering with hyperthyroidism for years. I have been taking tapazole for over 2 years. The doctor has teetered the dose up and down, but we can't seem to get the thyroid to stop being high.

We have also tried high doses of tapazole with a small dose of synthroid. It has been a nightmare.

I have been suffering with fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, anemia, hot all the time, fatigue, paper thin fingernails, dry skin, unhealing rash on scalp for a year, hair dry and just feels different, etc.

I do have an ileostomy and also suffer with gastroparesis. Even though I have hyperthyroidism, I have GAINED weight, not lost weight.

My main concern has been the air hunger.

After much debate and reading, I have decided to take the radioactive iodine pill on December 31.

Is there anyone that has done this? My best friend thinks I'm making a big mistake.

I have tried ptu also, years ago. My doctor thinks I will always suffer with hyperthyroidism without taking the next step, radioactive iodine.

I'm scared and very very tired of having multiple medical problems!!!

Judy, I've also just recently had high blood pressure and high glucose level in my blood work. I am so terrified of having type 2 diabetes. I had gestational diabetes with 2 of my kids. I have 4 and 1 of them weighed 11 lbs at birth.

I'm taking the radioactive pill Wednesday. I'll keep you posted. I usually hang in the ostomy room since I have an ostomy.

Thanks for responding.

I took the radioactive iodine pill yesterday and I feel OK. My tongue feels a little sore, but that's it. I hope this is the answer for me and I can get back to a normal life soon.

All I did was go to the hospital and this technician went over a lot of paperwork. Mainly to stay away from other people, to sleep alone, to flush the toilet twice, dispose of my trash separately, etc. She said to really stay away from people for 72 hours.

She also made sure I knew I would need to follow up with my endocrinologist and that I would more than likely end up with hypothyroidism.


I'll keep posting updates for anyone else who might be considering RAI treatment.

I needed to get my thyroid levels down fast because I was waiting for urgent surgery, but no anesthesiologist would touch me when I was so hyperthyroid. My Endo put me on a thyroid suppression drug after the RAI because the levels weren't going down enough. Even with both treatments it took about six weeks for my levels to get down into the safe range. So it may take some time for your symptoms to ease.

Yes indeed, hyperthyroidism can affect the heart and so does hypo, but hyper affects the heart more badly !

After taking the RAI you will eventually become hypo, this can take a while, but if the treatment is successful, you will become hypothyroid and need to be placed on Levo.

Did your doctor told you when to have a thyroid blood test? TSH and FT4 .

Once on Levo, ask to be put on brand name and not generic Levo, this will keep your dose consistent.

Good luck and keep us updated .

I got the blood work from Monday and the TSH level was 0.038. This was my primary care physician that took the blood Monday. I don't have the rest of it as I left it on accident at my GI doctor's office.

I guess this is still too high since they said they wanted me to follow up with my endocrinologist.

How long will it take to get hypo or at least normal?

Thank you Judy.. That's what I figured. I figured it was too soon to see any difference.