[Ski]

#1063452

Hi Jen,

There are a few elements to this calculation. The first thing doctors consider is that, as the radioiodine that is NOT taken up in the thyroid leaves the body, it leaves for the most part in the urine, and the urine passes by the ovaries, so any eggs that were just reaching maturity *may* be affected. That’s why we’re told to drink lots of water and urinate often, so there’s no high concentration of the RAI being flushed out at any one time. The better you follow those instructions, the better. I’ve heard that six months has been the routine period of time recommended in order to be sure any egg that is fertilized has not been affected in any way, and my understanding is that many doctors believe that to be on the VERY cautious side, so in certain circumstances, they may shorten that window. I do know some people have posted here who got pregnant sooner than six months after their RAI, and ended up with beautiful, healthy babies, so this may be something you need to discuss frankly with your doctors so you can work together to come up with a plan that works for all of you and addresses all the issues.

You are right also when you suggest this has something to do with getting your levels right and healing from the hyperthyroidism. The upside is that, as you are getting your levels right and healing from the hyperthyroidism, look at that, maybe six months have passed. ” title=”Very Happy” />

Downside is that you can’t be sure that will be fully achieved within six months. Typically the RAI does most of its work in the first six weeks, but according to my original radiologist/oncologist, can continue affecting the thyroid for up to six months to some degree. Higher doses have the potential to shorten the period of time before you are measurably hypothyroid, so if you haven’t had the RAI yet, you may want to have a discussion with both your doctors (the endo and the radiologist/oncologist) to make sure you are aiming for rapid ablation. If that water’s under the bridge, then you might want to ask the doctors what their goal was, when they figured out the dose. I understand that the new "conventional wisdom" is to give higher doses because of better treatment success rates at those doses, so it’s likely that your dose was calculated with that rationale in mind already.

You will have an easier pregnancy if you are feeling well and if your body is stable, so of course that’s the optimum situation. I would recommend getting a team together as you come nearer to trying to conceive ~ include a high risk obstetrician and pediatric endocrinologist, as well as your "regular" doctors, and you may need to be the person taking questions one to another, unless you can get them to speak with each other (typically a little challenging, but it does happen sometimes). ” title=”Very Happy” />

Let us know how things are going for you!!

[SwanLake]

#1018236

Hi!

I am looking for information about the time that "should" elapse between RAI (13 mCi) and conception. I am 40 so I’d like to find that "sweet spot" between not waiting any longer than I "have" to.

Is the time period driven by 1) need to get rid of radioactivity or 2) getting healthier or 3) perfecting thyroid levels? What are real risks to me/baby if the time period is shortened? Are the risks high?

Thanks so much. So thankful for this resource!

Jen

[pinky35]

#1063453

My doctor told me current rule of thumb is to wait 6 months. He did tell me he’s had patients who have gotten pregnant sooner then that, and been fine–but stressed that 6 months is the typical wait period. My reproductive endocrinologist told me that it’s best to wait until my thyroid levels are leveled out. I had my RAI 5 weeks ago, and my thyroid levels haven’t moved at all yet, so I can imagine that could take a while for some.

I am 35 and anxious to get pregnant, but after 2 miscarriages, I am playing this cautious and will wait until I’m told it’s safe to try.

Good luck to you!

[Ski]

#1063454

Levels typically don’t change much for the first six weeks, since it takes that long for the excess thyroid hormone that existed prior to treatment to flush out of the bloodstream. After six weeks go by, you should be very vigilant about symptoms, because we have a similar "ramp up" time period while taking replacement hormone, before we really feel the effects of the replacement, so it’s good to catch your hypothyroid status as soon as possible and get started on replacement. Keep a list of classic hypothyroid symptoms and get your labs done when you can say absolutely you are experiencing 4 or 5 of them regularly. Really nice to have an open order at the lab during this time, but make sure you don’t abuse it, or the doctor may revoke it.

[pinky35]

#1063455

Good advice Ski! Thank you. I was at my endo’s office today for an appointment and will have labwork done in 3-4 weeks before my next one. I will ask at that time about getting a standing order, if possible. The good news is, my heart palpitations have already almost completely vanished, so I’d say I’m getting closer to feeling better!

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