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RAI Treatment

Posted , 7 users are following.

Sue1247
Sue1247

I've had Graves disease for some 9 years and couldn't be stabilsed.  Any stress would set it off again although I even went into remission once.  I felt awful for most of the time even though on carbimazole and was unable to make plans as I'd never know how I was going to be feeling. I'd tried all the alternative methods with supplements etc. 

On 1st February I had RAI and  can only say I wish I'd done it sooner.  I went hypo very quickly with a TSH of 42 (even than wasn't as bad as being hyper) and was prescribed levothyroxine 75mg.  I quickly started to feel better and I can now honestly say I have had a life changing experience.  Even my swollen eyelids have gone and I have twice the energy I had.  If there is anyone considering it and resisting for whatever reason I can only say go for it.  You may swap feeling awful to feeling good as I have.  

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  • debbiecul
    debbiecul Sue1247

    Posted

    Hi I have been in remission with my hyperthyroid since stopping block and replace last November. I have been having symptoms again and found out last week I am hyper again Tsh 0.05 T4 38. I have been offered Rai or surgery. Are these the only options I feel like they are very final decisions. Any advice would be appreciated
    • Guest
      Guest debbiecul

      Posted

      The other option would be to start taking antithyroid medication again in the hope that your thyroid stimulating antibodies reduce over time.

      Should you take this route then make sure that your TSH receptor antibodies are tested before stopping the antithyroid medication. This applies even if your other thyroid tests are normal.

      Btw, in the UK, TSH receptor antibodies are not routinely tested after the initial diagnosis of Graves' disease. That's why I had this test done privately.  

      I would also recommend reading up on supplements like L-Carnitine or Acetyl-L-Carnitine. These are peripheral thyroxine antagonists and may speed up your recovery. Some older posts on this forum relate to this topic e.g. https://patient.info/forums/discuss/l-carnitine-and-grave-s-62121

       

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