thyrogen vs going off cytomel

crys6586
crys6586 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
I need help. My doctor has given me a choice. He said that I can go off Cytomel for 2 weeks prior to the scan or go on the thyrogen injections. He said the biggest risk with injections is that they are not sure of the long term effects. What has everyone else done? I had half thyroid removed at the end of March and had to go in a week later to get the other half removed. I have papillary and follicular. He is pretty certain that I will need the RAI treatment after the scan. I need help in deciding. Anybody out there been through wither way? Reponses appreciated! Crystal

Comments

  • FenwayS
    FenwayS Member Posts: 11
    #2
    Hi Crystal,

    I went through surgery and ablation last year and was hypo for about 6 weeks. It was pretty difficult. I just went through all of the one-year-mark testing and opted for Thyrogen. I still had to be on the low-iodine diet but only for about 10 days. The injections didn't hurt at all but I did have about a day or two of feeling hypo. It was strange because I didn't know that was going to happen. I kept wondering why I felt so bad and when I looked up the side-effects for Thyrogen that explained it all. But, the yuck feeling only lasted about two days and then I was back to myself. It was so much easier than going hypo. So much easier! So, I don't know if that helps in your decision but that's my story. ;-)

    Fen
  • times3
    times3 Member Posts: 5
    #3
    Hi crys.
    I've done both. I guess you already made your decision because it was 2 weeks ago. I am going through it again and insist on the thyrogen. The hypo is too hard . I've not had a thyroid for twenty years and so have been through all they have to offer, cytomel,thyrogen no syntroid. a regular buffet of choices.I agree with FenwayS
  • bethmt
    bethmt Member Posts: 1
    #4
    This is my first visit to this website. I had a total thyroidectomy 7/5/06 and have been taking cytomel. Have any of your doctor's expressed concern with thyrogen causing decreased sensitivity with picking up cancer. Is being hypo really that bad to justify the risk of not catching the cancer cells during testing and gambling with the long term effects of the drug. It seems that it is (which is making me nervous)...since most of you have suggested it. I will ask my doctor about it on monday when i get my stitches out. Hope everyone is doing well.
  • cravtap
    cravtap Member Posts: 11
    #5
    hi crys
    Going thru a simalar situation right now. My pulmonary specialist wants to use thyrogen for my scan and my endo feels that using thyrogen will make any kind of treatment depending on scan results more difficult. I hope this is helpful for you I have no idea how I am going to feel once off the cytomil and being hypo for awhile.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
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