how soon after a total Thyroidectomy can I have RAI

Scared but Hopeful
Scared but Hopeful Member Posts: 10
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
Is it standard to wait two months to undergo RAI or can it be done sooner. I know I have to have it done and I just want to get it over with so I can see if the cancer is in any other part of my body.

Comments

  • FCT2010
    FCT2010 Member Posts: 21
    #2
    The standard seems to be 6 weeks between TT (or completion thyroidectomy) and RAI. The day after surgery, you will be put on either Cytomel or Synthroid/Levoxyl, etc. If you are put on Cytomel, you take it for 4 weeks, then the last two weeks you are on the low-iodine diet to prep for RAI. You are taken off the Cytomel for 2 weeks to raise your TSH to over 30, which is necessary before RAI.

    If you are put on Synthroid, Levoxyl, etc. it's a bit of a different process. I think you are given Thyrogen shots a few days before RAI, but you still have to do the 2 weeks of low-iodine diet.

    I'm not really sure why 6 wks are the standard, but it might have to do with stabilization after your thyroid is removed - give the meds a chance to bring you back to normal?

    We all want to get it over with (I start the low-iodine diet this week!), but since you have at least 6 weeks before RAI, take that time to make sure you recover fully from your surgery. Be informed about the process, but try not to get too far ahead of yourself. Follow up with your ENDO to see what meds you'll be on and for how long, when you are expected to start the low iodine diet, and when you will be scheduled for RAI. Pretty much your ENDO is in charge of how and when you will be treated since they order the tests, etc. for managing your thyroid cancer, so make sure you have an appt with your ENDO afer your TT. Good luck.
  • weberdns
    weberdns Member Posts: 154
    #3
    FCT2010 said:

    The standard seems to be 6 weeks between TT (or completion thyroidectomy) and RAI. The day after surgery, you will be put on either Cytomel or Synthroid/Levoxyl, etc. If you are put on Cytomel, you take it for 4 weeks, then the last two weeks you are on the low-iodine diet to prep for RAI. You are taken off the Cytomel for 2 weeks to raise your TSH to over 30, which is necessary before RAI.

    If you are put on Synthroid, Levoxyl, etc. it's a bit of a different process. I think you are given Thyrogen shots a few days before RAI, but you still have to do the 2 weeks of low-iodine diet.

    I'm not really sure why 6 wks are the standard, but it might have to do with stabilization after your thyroid is removed - give the meds a chance to bring you back to normal?

    We all want to get it over with (I start the low-iodine diet this week!), but since you have at least 6 weeks before RAI, take that time to make sure you recover fully from your surgery. Be informed about the process, but try not to get too far ahead of yourself. Follow up with your ENDO to see what meds you'll be on and for how long, when you are expected to start the low iodine diet, and when you will be scheduled for RAI. Pretty much your ENDO is in charge of how and when you will be treated since they order the tests, etc. for managing your thyroid cancer, so make sure you have an appt with your ENDO afer your TT. Good luck.

    6 weeks is standard
    My endo said that you need 6 weeks to let your thyroid heal after your surgery. Since RAI can affect your immune system they want to be sure that you are completely healed before giving you the RAI. I know that you want it done quickly, I know how bad you want the results of the scan, but rest up and heal, and then deal with the RAI and the scan!
  • Scared but Hopeful
    Scared but Hopeful Member Posts: 10
    #4
    weberdns said:

    6 weeks is standard
    My endo said that you need 6 weeks to let your thyroid heal after your surgery. Since RAI can affect your immune system they want to be sure that you are completely healed before giving you the RAI. I know that you want it done quickly, I know how bad you want the results of the scan, but rest up and heal, and then deal with the RAI and the scan!

    Thank you both for the input...
    I think you're right I was just getting ahead of myself. I saw my endo today and He's sending me a nice big fat package of "light reading" with all the information and schedule of treatments. Healing is good... I guess it would be a nice gesture to my body to give it a little break in between all these surgeries and treatments, huh? I still haven't even recovered from my initial surgery. I think I'm going to take a breath and take one day at a time and be thankful for every day I feel good! Thwnks for the support!
  • weberdns
    weberdns Member Posts: 154
    #5
    Scared but Hopeful said:

    Thank you both for the input...
    I think you're right I was just getting ahead of myself. I saw my endo today and He's sending me a nice big fat package of "light reading" with all the information and schedule of treatments. Healing is good... I guess it would be a nice gesture to my body to give it a little break in between all these surgeries and treatments, huh? I still haven't even recovered from my initial surgery. I think I'm going to take a breath and take one day at a time and be thankful for every day I feel good! Thwnks for the support!

    Hugs!
    Rest, be kind to yourself and enjoy each day....with more days to come after the RAI. Life is a gift and enjoy each day in its finish before thinking about what tomorrow will bring for you! I know how you feel....you were me in March.....but so many wonderful things happened to me in the 6 weeks before my RAI and the many weeks after it to help me to realize just how much I am blessed, and to learn the many things that I have learned about myself! We are here if you need us! Hugs!
  • Scared but Hopeful
    Scared but Hopeful Member Posts: 10
    #6
    weberdns said:

    Hugs!
    Rest, be kind to yourself and enjoy each day....with more days to come after the RAI. Life is a gift and enjoy each day in its finish before thinking about what tomorrow will bring for you! I know how you feel....you were me in March.....but so many wonderful things happened to me in the 6 weeks before my RAI and the many weeks after it to help me to realize just how much I am blessed, and to learn the many things that I have learned about myself! We are here if you need us! Hugs!

    It's amazing how much the hugs help!
    Thank you for the hugs. Just being able to talk to people that are going through (or have gone through) what you're going through, makes a huge difference. As supportive as my family is and I know they would do anything to comfort me, it's not the same. I'm starting to calm down now. This must be the next stage of acceptance. It's a gorgeous day out there, I'm going to get out there and enjoy the day with my son. I'll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow! Enjoy the day, and Thanks again!
    Sue
  • nasher
    nasher Member Posts: 505 Member
    #7
    Scared but Hopeful said:

    It's amazing how much the hugs help!
    Thank you for the hugs. Just being able to talk to people that are going through (or have gone through) what you're going through, makes a huge difference. As supportive as my family is and I know they would do anything to comfort me, it's not the same. I'm starting to calm down now. This must be the next stage of acceptance. It's a gorgeous day out there, I'm going to get out there and enjoy the day with my son. I'll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow! Enjoy the day, and Thanks again!
    Sue

    well i had the the 2nd part
    well i had the the 2nd part of my thryorid removed on mar 9th and radio-iodine treatment on may 5th so about 2 months is what they did for me

    yes it is so your body has time to heal from the surgery before they give you the iodine

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