Personally I doubt that what you describe is RAI-related because it is ongoing and (in my experience) reversible and because iodine does not have an obvious connection with hair follicles, whereas thyroid axis hormones . What should I do after this treatment to restore my metabolic functioning and gut biome? Im having my RAI tomorrow, and my oncologist said I could go back to work right after. I would actually think about taking chances with the cancer instead of gaining weight. IM HAVING A HARD ENOUGH TIME WITH WHAT I TAKE NOW! A better option might be to try just a partial thyroidectomy or to take out just the half of the thyroid with the cancer. My blood work prior was A large study found an increase in some cancer types in people who had radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism compared with the general population. Graves' Disease: Life After Radioactive Iodine Treatment - HealthMatch I am going in for radioactive iodine treatment next week and wanted to ask what the best diet plan is that can stop me gaining more weight and help me to reduce my bmi. American Thyroid Association. Since then I have suffered most every day with severe chemical sensitivity. I am on my own taking more precautions, and going at this as a Haz Mat Tech, Yes, Im that too, as I am a volunteer fire fighter/EMT/ and wear many other hats as well as Haz Mat Tech and am certified in Decon operations. to covid weight, but now the hair loss! So, fast forward to February of this year, all blood tests were negative for signs of cancer, so no fine needle biopsy was done, and at that point it was just a simple goiter, and was supposed to simply have a partial right side lobectomy, and after a couple weeks return to work and life goes on. Calculating the half life of radiation, it will be a couple months before I can be around nursing home residents and pregnant women, and each and every nursing home has several pregnant women on each unit and each shift. No ill effects have been noted in the children born to parents who received radioactive iodine in the past. Thanks Doctor please, I had private clinic blood test after RAI sir this was the result:17 may 2017 :DHEA:11.020(0.44-13.00) my husband had the iodine radiation, for Graves disease. Flush the toilet two times after each use. Urinary iodine excretion after contrast computed tomography scan So when you take radioactive iodine your body will automatically take it up and store it in the thyroid gland. Potassium Iodide (KI) | Radiation Emergencies | NCEH | CDC It sounds like you are not being treated adequately. My weight seems to be of no concern to him as long as my blood work looks okay. P.S. My hair has always been my pretty part of me, the one thing that makes me feel like a pretty girl. Swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands. I had radiation iodine therapy in late September. I can barely eat . Will it cause you to gain weight? You usually have radioactive iodine as a capsule or a drink. In earlier forms of Iodine contrast, people with Myasthenia gravis faced an increased chance of exacerbation of the disease. olive oil, vegetable oils and nut oils. Havent met yet my endoc after the RAI. Before you or any family members have RAI treatment, it is strongly recommended that you read up on post-RAI guidelines and speak with your healthcare providers about how they should be applied to you. OR IT WILL BE GIVE ME PROBLEM? Are you thinking about getting radioactive iodine treatment? Last week labs getting better with a methylpro supplement. These are the questions that I want to focus on today and hopefully answer many of the current questions that you already have. Because it changes how you should be thinking about your medical condition, it changes the types of natural treatment options that may be available to you, and it changes your treatment. Very small amounts of iodine may also be taken up transiently by . If you are unable to avoid direct or indirect contact with infants and young children, ask your healthcare provider about the possibility of hospitalization. I had RAI treatment nearly 2 years ago, and deeply regret it. My TSH is very low but my free T3 indicates my body isnt using T3. rice and dries pasta. After years of somewhat of a normal feeling with the Naturethroid I received a letter saying they were taking it off the market. I had RAI 1 month ago. Because of PTC, I had a total thyroidectomy two weeks ago and now on Levo. Iodine is used in the care and feeding of animals and as a stabilizer and/or safety element in food processing. In regards to diets that can help, please see this article: https://www.restartmed.com/hypothyroidism-diet/. Hi Radioactive dye side effects | HealthTap Online Doctor My eyes improved for a while but now seem to be getting worse. The only other condition that causes heat intolerance that comes to mind is menopause and perimenopause. My hair has been a part of me for many years, it is waist length, and Im wondering if having it cut off and sent to make a wig for myself would be best or just wait and see if I do in fact loose my hair. Call (800) 542-1123 or visit www.labtechinc.com to learn more about protecting your home against radioactive iodine. You can obviously survive after RAI (otherwise they wouldnt do the procedure) but I want to teach you how to thrive afterward. Recently also diagnosed with B12 deficiency and had exhibited most of the symptoms! But what if you only destroy 30 to 40% of your gland function? Some people may have a feeling of tightness or swelling in their neck for a few days after treatment. Any suggestions? I had RAI 20 plus years, I am 56 and my numbers are good. 4. Radioactive iodine therapy: 9 things to know - MD Anderson Cancer Center So, I ate what I could and left the rest. Thank you and God bless! Anecdotally, youve probably already heard stories about people gaining weight after their procedure. And was doing well on a vegan/plant based diet. It's permanent; once you take the iodine capsule there is no changing your mind. Radioactive iodine is a treatment for papillary and follicular thyroid cancers. Sleep apart from adults by at least six feet (a separate bedroom is recommended) and avoid sexual activity. If your head and scalp are exposed to radiation (usually after a brain tumor surgery), it can affect the hair follicles and cause hair loss while the rest of the body may be unaffected. Image: Shutterstock. I'm Dr. Westin Childs. the tests after 3 weeks showed my TSH to be 12.920 and now she wants to increase the meds to 175. Several of my siblings make fun of me and say I am hiding but dont even know what Graves disease is and I was not around them and did not share my health issues until recently with them. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It is a good idea to increase your fluid intake after an imaging exam involving an iodine-based contrast material to help remove the contrast material from your body. Although hair dying can be an artifact on the postablation . Why have millions of patients been treated with Radioactive Iodine I have been diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse, asthma, arthritis, allergies, MCS, auto-immune thyroid disease, etc. 1. I had a miscarriage about a year after the RAI treatment. Researchers estimated a 12% increased risk for death from breast cancer and a 5% increased risk for death from . However, all of these symptoms are also part of the menopause for which I now take HRT. As so many of you, I too was very unaware of the many causes of having your thyroid removed can have on a person, or the underlying affects that can be caused by the I-131 RAI "therapeutic" radioactive iodine treatment. For most people, this means that you can expect to live at 80-90% of your 'normal'. Where should you stay after radioactive iodine treatment? Because of this, people who undergo RAI (meaning those who destroy their thyroid gland) need some type of thyroid hormone replacement. Whatever touches your skin will pick up a small amount of radiation. While you cant control this side effect 100%, you can do your best to mitigate (or reduce) any weight gain by going into your procedure at a normal and healthy weight. For radioactive iodine treatment? - egszz.churchrez.org As I am not a doctor, my specific question is why does the level of levothyroxine I require change if my thyroid was destroyed? FSH was :4.33(1.50-12.40) Will you be able to maintain your current weight? Here is my story: A year ago I felt a bump on the right side of my neck, so on a routine follow up visit with my PCP for diabetes, I mentioned it to him. But why would you want to restore thyroid function to your thyroid gland if you had it destroyed because you were already producing too much? Muscle pain or weakness. This is an extension of what weve already discussed but its worth spending some time on this specific point. Be wary of home-use products, and use recommended professional products for dye, highlights and conditioning. But, if I was being honest, I think that most people should not rely on the possibility of restoring much thyroid function after their procedure. Told to me by each and everyone whos never had this cancer! This comes in the form of a simple hormone medication that you can take each and every day to help normalize your thyroid hormone levels. And Ive become Flat with my emotions now. Fortunately, most patients experience reduced symptoms about a month after treatment. Its the working hard for absolutely nothing that I dont want to do! I am 67 years old and just wonder how many years I may have either way. I know, I know, I shouldnt be so vain. Just have my RAI 2days ago. The doctor started me on .50 of Synthroid, and taking the first dose my eyes cleared the next day. There is a paucity of literature on the minimum interval between contrast administration and RAI therapy. The amount of iodine taken up by your thyroid is then measured. I had RAI treatment 4 weeks ago 29.9 mci due to hyperthyroid hot noduals. If you need to add red tint to your hair, then using carrot juice is one of the easiest ways to do it. There isnt a specialist in the area of hormone balancing but you can use the resource above to help you find someone who can help you. Your best bet to AVOID weight gain after RAI is to go into your procedure with a normal weight and to maintain a healthy lifestyle both before and after. Hi, I also happen to formulate the best supplements on the market (well, at least in my opinion!) Radioactive Iodine for the Treatment of Thyroid Cancer So I had the ablation without much research on my own, and now Im at the highest weight of my life and miserable. Hi Dr. Childs, Fact sheet: guidelines for patients receiving radioiodine I-131 treatment. 5PM supper with VS and glucose readings. Generally, yes. I had a partial thyroidectomy a week ago, (Right lobectomy) With this my Dr. noticed hard bumps in the tissue, and sent to pathology and cancer was found. Radioactive iodine treatment is a type of radiotherapy is used to destroy the cells in the thyroid gland, reducing the amount of hormones it can produce. You wouldnt want to use a steroid on it unless you know what it is. Some doctor told me to move to the mountains, which I did to avoid toxic chemicals. They all tell me Thyroid Cancer is the easy cancer. Can you use hair dye before radioactive iodine treatment? Within the first 2 years I gained 15 pounds with no diet/lifestyle change. So for the last 6 mos Ive had to take Levothroxine. I am now 54 years old. Pls.can u explain about this. RAI Treatment and Hair Color - Thyroid cancer - Inspire In some radiation emergencies, usually nuclear power plant accidents, radioactive iodine may be released into the environment and enter the body through breathing or eating it. My entire life has been turned upside down. June 7, 2022 . Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Hyperthyroidism is a condition where your body produces too much thyroid hormone so the treatment is to destroy your thyroid gland and stop that production. Tips for Eating and Cooking While on a Low Iodine Diet. is this a side effect of this proceedure. It is a measurement of thyroid function, but does not involve imaging. One doctor wants a monitor of pulse five times daily, hes concerned about para thyroid damage. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease that leads to overactivity of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). However, I havent been placed on any med after treatment what is your professional opinion. I was being treated for hypothyroidism and graves . Radioiodine treatment avoids surgery, anesthesia, and anti-thyroid drugs. Is there anything I can do to protect myself as I am driving her. Please help! Now that you are considered to be hypothyroid there is a world of potential therapies, supplements, regimens, and protocols that are available to you. The radiation will pass out of your body through your urine within days. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. The researchers found that the proportion of overweight people increased from 9.6% to 18.5% (almost double) and the proportion of obese patients increased from 6.4% to 21% (almost quadruple) (4). Endocrine Today | A 25-year-old woman was referred for radioactive iodine remnant ablation for multifocal micropapillary thyroid carcinoma. The following recommendations will give you an idea of precautions to take to avoid exposing other people (as well as pets) to iodine 131, which may be present in bodily fluids or occur as a result of close contact. cooked green vegetables. No. The good news is that this particular side effect doesnt last very long (compared to some of the other issues we will be discussing next). You can expect to live a fairly normal life after radioactive iodine treatment but your life will probably not be exactly as it was before your procedure. Severe reactions occur in 0.04% to 0.02% of people receiving contrast, with a death rate of one person in every 170,000. Warren Janowitz Radiologist Miami, FL. This particular visit, my HA1C was up to 6 point something, and caused alarm as I am strict with my diet, admit though at that time I allowed myself a free day to eat as much and all the treats I wanted or craved. Radioactive iodine for cats - is it worth it? - Vet Help Direct Doctors use nuclear medicine to diagnose, evaluate, and treat . Fifteen years ago diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and had RAI. And to key to getting there is to understand what happens to your body after this procedure and how it influences your thyroid function. Many thanks in advance for any help. There is nowhere else to go tricare insurance is awful. Total testosterone was :10.47(7.60-32) low My GP at the time liked to keep me on that level despite blood results as he said it was better for patients to be at the higher end of the scale in case they needed a metabolic boost when ill. Doctors made me think it was my only option at the time. Radioactive iodine is a type of iodine that is radioactive - iodine 131 (I-131). NOT GOING TO TAKE MORE PILLS! Some on the list I cant take to begin with, iron is one, when I take it, no matter how strict I am about taking it so many hours before or after other meds and meals, I still puke it up about fifteen to twenty minutes after taking it. For example, uranium has thirty-seven different isotopes, including uranium-235 and uranium-238. And I cry at the drop of a hat now too. 3 weeks after I was taken off of PTU. For most people, this means that you can expect to live at 80-90% of your normal. Radioactive Iodine Treatment for Cancer - webmd.com If I take a snack is determined on what my glucose reading was. and seriously lethargic?! She enjoys giving lectures and writing articles for both the lay public and medical audiences. Dont let this be of major concern to you, though, because in most cases these symptoms can be managed. Not everyone gains weight after RAI, if thats what you mean by treatment but if you are going to, it will start within 4-6 weeks of the procedure and may continue for several months. But over the past month I see my weight dropping a half to a pound daily. The other 20% may require additional testing and the use of other thyroid medications which contain T3 thyroid hormone. 20 Can Hashimotos Be Reversed? Free T3. My symptoms include very dry skin, heart problems, severe pain, muscle problems, joint issues, sometimes brain fog, hair is brittle and dry, constipation, stomach issues, basically nothing is right since the treatment. And in addition to going back to surgery for the left lobectomy, to expect to be on the Radioactive Iodine therapy. Because the radioactive iodine used (known as iodine 131) may expose those around you to the effects of radiation (and theoretically negatively affect their thyroid glands), you will be given guidelines on how to prevent such exposure. You can read more about my own personal health journey and why I am so passionate about what I do. If you destroy the entire gland then you will definitely need to be on thyroid medication. I had RAI treatment for severe Graves disease in 1993. This may or may not be important to you based on your age, your gender, and whether or not fertility is something you are interested in but, again, its worth knowing about. If you are unable to get ahold of them then it may be necessary to go to the ER. You should have your thyroid lab levels tested to see if you need medication. I had the motto: Ive never met a stranger, they are just the friends I havent met yet. Now, I would rather not talk to anyone, and if Im forced to, I keep it to bare minimum. Does Radiation Therapy Cause Hair Loss? Here's The Truth! - STYLECRAZE Its normal in the sense that ALL post RAI patients will become hypothyroid but abnormal in the sense that you should NOT feel poorly if you are treated properly. ordinary table salt and sea salt. If it was, then you will most likely need to start thyroid medication relatively soon (within the next days to weeks). I must admit I feel like a lab rat at times with all the tests and trials. It Depends on These Factors, Add Back Therapy for Graves & Hyperthyroidism: When to use Levothyroxine, Hashimotos and Hyperthyroidism: Why it Happens & What it Means, How to Prevent Thyroid Surgery and Radioactive Iodine Ablation Therapy | Dr. Osansky and Dr. Childs. Affected cats produce too much thyroid hormone. Any idea Sir ? I HAD MY RAI LAST SEPTEMBER 12, NOW IM ALREADY 2 MONTHS AFYER MY RAI. Nevertheless, hair loss can be associated with changing levels of thyroid hormone, and may be experienced by some patients with hypo or hyperthyroidism. I was originally on Synthroid for a while and as I got older my body changes and T3 was required for optimal levels. Radioactive iodine is created when the unstable atoms of radioactivity is piggybacked onto iodine so it will be absorbed by the body. If you have any thoughts, I would appreciate those. Radioactive iodine therapy is a type of internal radiotherapy treatment for thyroid cancer. Now the top of my hair is thick and fine and the back of my hair is thick and curly it has a little bit of wire feeling to it. I had severe and sudden weight loss along with many other troubling symptoms. Hair that is not being treated directly with radiation can be dyed. can i color my hair after radioactive iodine I also noticed my left leg larger than my right, so I do a daily measurement at mid calf before I eat or drink anything. Yes, radiation therapy causes hair loss. I am a former Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (no longer practicing) that now focuses on producing the information you see here while also formulating some of the best supplements on the market (in my HUMBLE opinion) :). You probably will not feel sick during this time, but these precautions are in place to prevent you from accidentally harming another person! The highest sources (and those to be avoided) are iodized salt, grains and cereals, some breads . Because your thyroid has been ablated, you will most likely need thyroid medication for life. The interesting part was the B12 level was normal at 737 but methylmalonic acid slightly high(319) and homocysteine at 13.9.