[snelsen]

#1063726

Krystal, there are so many really good, recent posts from people who have had both in the past few months.
Use the search engine, type in RAI, surgery, and see what you get.
It is my understanding that the goal of both RAI and thyroidectomy is to have no thyroid circulating (as opposed to leaving a little bit of the gland to continue producing thyroxin. My experience is not typical for today, for when I had my surgery, they did try to leave a little gland left to produce thyroxin. As a result of this, I did not need any Synthroid for 30 years or so, nor did I feel hypothyroid. I felt fine. At some point, my labs changed, and at the same time, I was a little more cold than usual, and more tired than usual. Ever since then, I have been on Synthroid, followed with labs every now and then, and how I feel.

It is my understanding that we always have Graves’, but we certainly are not always hyperthyroid, the goal of everything is to get normal again. Being hypothyroid is no picnic, and I had a recent experience to testify to that! I agreed to reduce my Synthroid, for my TSH has remained suppressed for a long time, even though I felt fine. When it was reduced several steps, I felt terrible, and did not want to get out of bed, was so cold, all the signs of hypo. So we increased it, despite what the labs say.

I am looking forward to your getting a lot more emails, plus reading the prior replies.
Welcome to the board, it is great
Shirley

[Kimberly]

#1063727

Hello – *Best* case, it probably is easier to treat hypO than hypER. I am on Anti-Thyroid drugs to treat hypER. I get labs done about every three months to check my levels…and I am always aware of the potentially serious side effects of the ATDs. Oh the other hand, patients who are stable on replacement hormone often only need to get levels checked annually.

But I think that many docs neglect to mention that it takes time to find the correct doseage of replacement hormone after TT or RAI – instead, they make these treatment approaches sound like quick fixes. In reality, there are posters here who are a year or more out from RAI or TT and still working to find that “sweet spot” of replacement hormone that will keep them feeling good.

That’s why it’s so important for us to do our own research, get input from our doctor, and ultimately make the choice that our head and heart say is right for us.

As to whether GD ever goes away, I have heard doctors use the word “cured” in response to patients who have been through RAI or TT. However, the eye disease can still occur at any point…and in very *rare* cases, thyroid tissue can grow back and eventually cause another cycle of hypERthyroidism. So personally, I don’t agree with using the word “cured”. In fact, there was a very “spirited” debate about this topic at last year’s conference. It will be interesting to see if it comes up again this year! ” title=”Very Happy” />

[Krystal25]

#1018282

So I have been newly diagnosed with GD. I am currently taking Methimazole and haven’t been on it for more than a week. I am currently trying to research a more permanent option, if the medication doesn’t seem to work. I am wondering if I have a thyriodectomy or the RAI tx if that means that I no longer have GD, since my thyroid can no longer over produce and I would become hypothyroid? Can anyone share there own personal stories or experiences with RAI tx or surgery? I’d greatly apreciate it as I am trying to find the best solution for myself. Is it true being hypothyroid is easier to maintain levels than being hyperthyroid?? Thanks for you help!

-Krystal

[Bobbi]

#1063728

I have heard the term "cure" used by doctors with respect to hyperthyroidism when the thyroid has been removed. In other words, you can permanently stop/cure hyperthyroidism. Since that is what makes us so very ill, having that type of perspective can be helpful, I think. But GD — the autoimmune situation — must be looked upon as "permanent" or "chronic" as well. We must forevermore have our thyroid levels checked because of the possibility of becoming ill again if we have a thyroid, and because medication doses might need adjusting. We do indeed regain our health typically regardless of how we choose to go about treating things. It’s sort of a "is the glass half empty or half full" type of situation. How you, individually, choose to evaluate things is important to whether or not you will ever feel "cured." Personally, I feel cured. So I look at the half-full glass.

[Rivergirl]

#1063729

I just discovered this interesting foundation and this discussion board. So I thought I’d add my own experience to this post. I was diagnosed with GD in the mid 1980s after several stressful events had occurred in my life that I believe triggered my GD. I was told by my endocrinologist at Cornell Medical Center in NYC that if you treat GD at a certain age when you’re in your 20’s, it will more likely be put into remission without RAI or surgery. I never had either procedure, but was instead put on Methimazole. I was tested every 3 months for my levels. And eventually under the direction of my doctors, I stopped taking the medication and have been without symptoms for all this time. I am 51 years old now and approximately each year I have my thyroxin levels checked, but I haven’t had problems so far. I’m not sure what doctors today would think about this. Maybe those with more experience can say.

[Ellen_B]

#1063730

Krystal, it is known that even after treatment (either RAI or thyroidectomy) the antibodies may remain in your blood.
Evidence of this is seen in individuals who received say in their late teens or early twenties RAI or a thyroidectomy and ten years later say get pregnant — they still have the antibodies in their system that can cross placenta and cause (sometimes—not always) the baby to be hyperthyroid in the womb and even hyperthyroid for a short time after the baby is born. The hyperthyroidism in the baby is not permanent because in a matter of weeks the antibodies disappear. The mother can have an antibody test (thyroid stimulating antibody) to assess the risk that the fetus will be hyperthyroid. Many times the mother- to-be (since she feels well) forgets to tell the doctor. Fortunately the baby can be monitored and if necessary treated. The mother is treated with antithyroid drugs which also cross the placenta.
So yes you still can have Graves’ (antibodies) but more important you can be made well.

Ellen Brightly
Administrative Assistant
Graves’ Disease Foundation
Toll-free – (877) 643-3123
400 International Drive
Williamsville, NY 14221
Email: Gravesdiseasefd@gmail.com
Website: http://www.NGDF.org <http://www.ngdf.org/

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