Mary Shomon is a writer and hormonal health and thyroid advocate. I am on NP with an additional Synthroid to balance me out. For this reason, its ideal to try and lose weight prior to the procedure as opposed to after. The last person put me on methazolo and I read the awful side affects. Dr.DanielleWeiss is the founder of the Center for Hormonal Health and Well-Being, a personalized, proactive, patient-centered medical practice with a unique focus on integrative endocrinology. I must admit I feel like a lab rat at times with all the tests and trials. Researchers estimated a 12% increased risk for death from breast cancer and a 5% increased risk for death from . Because the hair is sealed off during the BK treatment the color might not be able to penetrate into the cuticle. Your TSH should always drop as you increase your thyroid dose and you should aim to get that TSH around the 1.0 range (which is considered normal in healthy adults). Like the effects of chemotherapy, hair follicles and new hair are more delicate and prone to . So, I need to have an exercise program, vitamin and minerals that may help, food intake regulated to progress to increasing bone mass and weight loss. Im planning on RAI in the next 2 weeks. is this a side effect of this proceedure. I still have to work a few more years, so Im looking and applying for other jobs that arent as stressful, that are day shift Mon-Fri, with weekends, holidays and nights to myself. RAI Treatment and Hair Color - Thyroid cancer - Inspire Radioactive iodine is created when the unstable atoms of radioactivity is piggybacked onto iodine so it will be absorbed by the body. I moved doctors in 2016 and my new GP immediately put my dosage down to 125 despite my protestations that I felt absolutely fine on 150. What Color Should I Dye My Hair? Take Our Quiz - StyleSeat 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 . Before they killed my thyroid and before it was even diagnosed the heat affected me something terrible and would just take my breath away. fresh bread. best army base in germany is dr abraham wagner married is dr abraham wagner married Iodine is essential for proper function of the thyroid gland, which uses it to make the thyroid hormones. Not to mention the radiation! Radioactive iodine. I feel horrible. Are you thinking about getting radioactive iodine treatment? Most of the radioiodine in your body will come out through the urine and stool. I would actually think about taking chances with the cancer instead of gaining weight. Thinning hair. I eat three meals with three snack times. Have you ever heard of this before? It is worth pointing out, however, that some other tissues can take up the radioactive iodine such as the beta cells in your pancreas (2) though it isnt clear how much damage exists (if any) in these other cells. You can eat the following foods because they contain very low levels of iodine: fruits and vegetables including potatoes. 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. And that training tells me I wont be ready to go back to work that afternoon. Improving gut function can be done through diet and supplements. He just does my blood work and adjusts my medicine as needed. I have a quick question. Consuming excess iodine: If you're at risk for hyperthyroidism and consume too much iodine (through your diet or medications), it can cause your thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Mary Shomon is a writer and hormonal health and thyroid advocate. After radioactive iodine treatment - Cancer Research UK Since then I have suffered most every day with severe chemical sensitivity. I had an RAI about three years ago, due to hyperthyroidism. Hi, Another doctor wants my temp and glucose readings, temp shes ok with once or twice during the day. And was doing well on a vegan/plant based diet. 1. Claim Your Free eBook Now. General Information. Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Thyroid Cancer: Outpatient Treatment Prior to discovering the bump, I had reversed my Diabetes and had consistent HA1C readings of 5 or lower. #3. The interesting part was the B12 level was normal at 737 but methylmalonic acid slightly high(319) and homocysteine at 13.9. 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. If you find that your TSH is high or that your free t3/free t4 is low, then this may be the cause of your symptoms. So I stopped going. It doesnt appear that the first treatment was sufficient to destroy the hot nodules (or there is some other issue). Small amounts of I-131 may also leave through your saliva, sweat and feces. I am in a gym 3 days a week I do water therapy/aerobics 3 days a week and I still cant lose weight I try to eat a low calorie Healthy diet Mostly either paleo or keto and no matter what I do I still cant lose the belly fat. Since I was at the office a week ago complaining about what PTU was doing to my body I feel nervous about calling the endocrinologist again. 5. I had a miscarriage about a year after the RAI treatment. Dont let this be of major concern to you, though, because in most cases these symptoms can be managed. Credit: iStock. You can find some tips and tricks on how to find the right type of doctor here: https://www.restartmed.com/thyroid-doctor/. The most common reason for RAI is the autoimmune condition known as Graves disease (6). Radioactive Iodine. Thyroid Ultrasound: A thyroid gland impacted by Graves' disease is often enlarged and may have increased blood flow; both of these elements can be visualized by thyroid ultrasound. They ran many tests including an cerebral angiogram to check for a brain tumor which I doubted. I had radiation treatment for my thyroid 5 days ago to shut down my thyroid. (former Osteopathic Physician). After you get the dose, the scanner checks your entire body for signs of radioactivity. I have been diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse, asthma, arthritis, allergies, MCS, auto-immune thyroid disease, etc. Radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support Prior to that, I always weighed in the 125-130 lb range (normal for my height). Radioactive Iodine 131 (I-131) | Stony Brook Cancer Center Most thyroid patients who receive RAI treatment eventually end up hypothyroid and will need to take thyroid hormone replacement drugs indefinitely. Just have my RAI 2days ago. How radiation therapy may affect your daily routine He may be the one with that piece of paper that says he can prescribe and administer that damned pill, but I have a gut feeling hes too cavalier about it all. Im worried more about loosing my hair than my life. Radionuclide Basics: Iodine | US EPA If your overactive thyroid symptoms persist 6 months after treatment, you may need a second dose. Most people who get radioactive iodine treatment do so because they are considered to be hyperthyroid (sometimes people get RAI for thyroid cancer (5) but most people get it for hyperthyroidism). Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is a common disease of older cats. Iodine-131 (I-131) is radioactive. The best course of action is to contact the doctor that was responsible for your procedure and let them know about your symptoms. I had RAI about 39 years ago and every year Im tested for my TSH level which always seems to be in the normal range. And in addition to going back to surgery for the left lobectomy, to expect to be on the Radioactive Iodine therapy. If this occurs, it is usually goes away as the body heals. He is now smelling smoke, all the time. 7 Natural Ways to Dye & Color Your Hair without Chemicals 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. Radioactive dye side effects | HealthTap Online Doctor In this procedure, you are intentionally given Iodide, I-131, which emits radiation. So, if papillary or follicular thyroid cancer has spread to any other part of the body, we can still use this therapy to find and destroy it. But my surgeon palpated three nodules and pathology report confirmed PTC, so a completion surgery was scheduled and performed this past April, and that lobe also showed cancer nodules on pathology report as well as some tissue purposely left because some cancer nodules had invaded my vocal chords. Radioactive iodine (RAI) is a treatment method for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. Yes, absolutely. After your treatment, you won't be able to go home using public transportation, such as buses, the subway, trains, or a plane. I would say many of your symptoms are unusual but this article highlights some of the routine side effects that may be experienced. I know they are going to try to drop me further. Certain 'hair supplements' should be avoided as they may contain iodine or interfere with levothyroxine . I am already over weight and working on losing it. Thyroid Hormone Resistance: What is it & How to Diagnose it. Some doctor told me to move to the mountains, which I did to avoid toxic chemicals. Your doctor should monitor you for symptoms of hypothyroidism after RAI treatment. My TSH is very low but my free T3 indicates my body isnt using T3. Center for Hormonal Health and Well-Being, Information for patients administered radioactive iodine (I-131), Fact sheet: guidelines for patients receiving radioiodine I-131 treatment. If it was, then you will most likely need to start thyroid medication relatively soon (within the next days to weeks). After reading all the comments I feel worried about the side effects.I saw in the report that they give me I-131 15mcl for hyperthyroidism. This is usually put into pill form for patients to ingest. I think that she was supposed to maint. I know some people contribute this Iodine and Hair Loss. Will you be able to lead a normal life? RAI is a form of radioactive nuclear medication that permanently destroys thyroid tissue. Neck tenderness and swelling. Having an Exam That Uses Contrast Dye? Here's What You Need to Know Thanks. Just realize that you will always be in a sensitive category and you will be more likely to gain weight compared to people with their thyroid intact. And to key to getting there is to understand what happens to your body after this procedure and how it influences your thyroid function. Hair follicles, which can influence hair shaft structure, length, and color, are known to respond to hormones including TSH. Gadolinium-based Contrast Material. I'm Westin Childs D.O. I keep telling them that I dont feel so good flaking nails, dry skin, fatigue, weight-loss resistant with brain fog. Radioactive Iodine for the Treatment of Thyroid Cancer There is nowhere else to go tricare insurance is awful. With that in mind, lets jump into what you should expect after your procedure. Thank you. Instead, you are now hypothyroid (7) (meaning you dont produce enough thyroid hormone on your own). Contrast Dye - Side Effects and What You Should Know And, if you destroy your thyroid gland, it turns out that that may have consequences on your metabolism. Along with a pain and numbness in my right hand. They do this by either stopping your oral thyroid medication or giving you thyrogen. I was normal weight and now frustrated to be 30 pounds overweight. These symptoms are not caused by the procedure itself but rather a consequence of the damage of the thyroid gland and the inability of your body to produce thyroid hormone. Therefore, it may be found in varying amounts in all food and beverages. FSH was :4.33(1.50-12.40) I have AFib and concerned for my heart about going into the obese stage. The real concern with radiation exposure to others in your family has more to do with them coming into contact with actual contamination. cooked green vegetables. Leave a Comment Cancel Reply . He also told me something about an injection of something, as well as being on some sort of thyroid hormone replacement therapy for the remainder of my life. So, I have to laugh at your 80 to 90% back to a normal life. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. So, I ate what I could and left the rest. I had RAI in 2010 and was eventually started on a regime of 150 Levothryroxine daily, about 8 weeks post treatment. Radioactive iodine is absorbed and concentrated by the thyroid gland. 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. I have my EMG the end of the month and take things from there. A single injection is given subcutaneously (i.e. I eat a diet free of inflammatory foods and exercise 3-5 times a week, but I cant get my weight to budge more than 5-10 pounds. Hey! These effects include a warm, flushing sensation, a salty or metallic taste in the mouth, a brief headache, or nausea. Reply. Radioactive iodine does not produce hair loss. Because of this, people who undergo RAI (meaning those who destroy their thyroid gland) need some type of thyroid hormone replacement. Do you lose your hair with radioactive iodine treatment? - FindaTopDoc my husband had the iodine radiation, for Graves disease. Will you be able to maintain your current weight? . A better option might be to try just a partial thyroidectomy or to take out just the half of the thyroid with the cancer. 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. I am now 54 years old. #4. not the treatment of choice for them. 8PM HS snack and VS and glucose readings. Hello Dr .Child depression, brain fog and other symptoms for years now. 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. After years of somewhat of a normal feeling with the Naturethroid I received a letter saying they were taking it off the market. Radioactive iodine may also be helpful for people with certain types of thyroid cancer. Thyroid hormone regulates the metabolic rate of an animal. If we extrapolate out this data then it means that on average 30% of all people who undergo RAI can expect to gain some kind of weight. I feel more like a ping pong ball being bounced back and forth! I used to be bubbly, and interactive with people. Patient Safety - Contrast Material - Radiologyinfo.org If I have all of these symptoms and have had levels increase so much, is it worth seeing another dr due to my history or do you think this is normal? Ultrasound can also be performed if . Although caffeine-containing shampoos are popular they are not useful. Iodine and Hair Loss: What's the Connection? | hims Radioactive iodine treatment. Hi As it turned out, my fears, or premonitions were right. This ThyCa has kicked my Gluteus Maximus but good! I forgot to mention, I was on nature Throid and changed to NP thyroid because of the dosage I need. Symptoms of a moderate or severe reaction that require urgent medical care include: Severe vomiting. If weight loss is your primary goal then I would take a look at my weight loss program here: https://www.restartmed.com/hormone-mastery/. Doctors use nuclear medicine to diagnose, evaluate, and treat . I dont have any definitive results/reports as yet, however, I do have that gut feeling. I had RAI treatment done 10 years ago. Radioactive Iodine for Thyroid Cancer - EndocrineWeb I have Hypothyroid Mom readers struggling with hypothyroidism now since treatment for their Graves' with radioactive iodine (RAI) or thyroidectomy. Iodine is also sometimes prescribed as a topical treatment for certain conditions that cause hair loss on the scalp. She said I am normal and not to worry. To increase the effectiveness of your upcoming radioactive iodine therapy, you may be prescribed a low iodine diet. I am gaining weight! Theres a higher risk that the cancer comes back but its also a way to preserve some thyroid function. The good news is that not every single person who gets RAI will necessarily gain weight. Can Hashimotos Be Reversed? TSH. 2 capsules of T3 Conversion Booster daily (important if you take T4 only medication!) My only option for help is the ER which is somewhere I dont want to go with all the crap a going around. 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. This means avoiding public transportation, hotels, carpools, and in some cases, your workplace. Can you dye your hair after radiation? - Cancer Survivors Network https://www.restartmed.com/weight-loss-after-thyroid-removal/, Hello I had the rai treatment 33 years ago and I have never felt good since then , more recent they ultrasound my thyroid gland and the lady who did the ultrasound kinda freaked out saying to me where is your thyroid gland hat did they do it it, I was in the hospital with pancreatitisNo dr has told me there could be a reason for getting pancreatitis with hypothyroid and how can my blood tests say my thyroid is producing hormones and is low which means high . What Are The Side Effects Of Contrast Dye After A CT Scan? Is it healing and producing its own thyroxine now? One study looked at 157 people and tracked them both before and after their procedure. Since then, each year various GPs have looked at my thyroid function test results, focused solely on the low TSH reading and have now reduced my levothyroxine down to 100 despite my arguments to the contrary. Radioactive iodine for cats - is it worth it? - Vet Help Direct The highest sources (and those to be avoided) are iodized salt, grains and cereals, some breads . Radioactive iodine is a treatment for papillary and follicular thyroid cancers. Fact sheet: guidelines for patients receiving radioiodine I-131 treatment. What type of cancer is treated with radioactive iodine? https://www.restartmed.com/product/t3-conversion-booster/ Your hair should be colored before a BK treatment. I underwent RAI 14 years ago for Graves disease. rice and dries pasta. Its even more important to test free thyroid hormone levels if you no longer have a thyroid gland. OR IT WILL BE GIVE ME PROBLEM? I also used Nioxin shampoo. How to Clean After Radioactive Iodine Treatment - wikiHow Question. The good news is that you can fairly easily identify these symptoms and you can order tests to determine how well your thyroid is functioning. Results were. 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). Potassium Iodide (KI) | Radiation Emergencies | NCEH | CDC So I had the ablation without much research on my own, and now Im at the highest weight of my life and miserable. Many doctors recommend that women avoid becoming pregnant for 6 months to a year after treatment. Its the working hard for absolutely nothing that I dont want to do! Graves' Disease: Life After Radioactive Iodine Treatment - HealthMatch You may also experience nausea and vomiting, as well as a decrease in appetite. Told to me by each and everyone whos never had this cancer! Theres no way to tell if your eye symptoms are related to your thyroid without first trying to optimize your TSH (which should be your next step). When they injected RAI contrast dye through an IV for the test, I went in shock and they stopped the testing until later that day. A large study found an increase in some cancer types in people who had radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism compared with the general population. I has RIT approx. Here are some ways to minimize radiation risks to other people (and pets) after you have had RAI treatment: Stay at least six feet away from other people, including members of the public, family members, and co-workers, for three to 11 days. 3 days after that I started to become sick after I ate an unable to sleep. Swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands. 12 noon, lunch and VS with glucose readings. Please give me your thoughts. Because of this, people may experience symptoms that may lead them to want to restore whatever thyroid function they can. who gave me 150 of Synthyroid. Your Doctor will be able to help determine how much of your gland was destroyed. One thing I didnt see in your article is the correlation of Thyroid to Diabetes and CTS. What Is a Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test? It targets VEGFR, BRAF, and RET tyrosine kinase and inhibits the proliferation and angiogenesis of cancer cells. Take care in washing, treating and grooming your hair. I would take a look at this article for more information on why people gain weight after RAI: https://www.restartmed.com/hyperthyroidism-weight-gain/, You can also find some tips for weight loss in this article (even though it is more specific to thyroidectomy): https://www.restartmed.com/weight-loss-thyroidectomy/, After the treatments, How fast do the weight begin to add in the pounds. Its definitely possible it just takes more time and the weight loss is slower. I know I shouldnt be so vain, but honestly I am on this. I wish I had found it weeks ago, but I didnt so I have to move on. To protect family pets, do not sleep with them for up to 21 days. The radiation will pass out of your body through your urine within days. But, I am having a lots of rashes all over my neck and scalp, it got swollen and bumps. But over the past month I see my weight dropping a half to a pound daily. Now I cant stand the heat and I used to go to the beach all the time. To further avoid exposing others to radiation:. Hyperthyroidism: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Medication Contrast Dye Allergy: Symptoms, Treatment, General Info - Verywell Health Iodine, an essential mineral, may affect hair health and hair growth through its effects on thyroid function. You have Graves' disease and had Radioactive Iodine (RAI) or a I had RAI treatment 4 weeks ago 29.9 mci due to hyperthyroid hot noduals. Please help! I have noticed more and more symptoms within the past 5 years That lead me to believe i May have become hypothyroid. I would like to try some of your supplements, but not sure which ones I should be looking at. Is it 10 days? 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. Iodine - Consumer - National Institutes of Health #2. Memory loss. I dont want radiation therapy especially as she hasnt even told me what caused this. It may sound counterintuitive, but youll understand why you might want to after your procedure. Even at this age, I still want to feel and look pretty. I HAD MY RAI LAST SEPTEMBER 12, NOW IM ALREADY 2 MONTHS AFYER MY RAI. For most people, this means that you can expect to live at 80-90% of your 'normal'.