[Bobbi November 14, 2008 at 7:23 am Post count: 1324]

#1075411

First off — we cannot interpret blood test results. Actually, you should not rely on anyone online (unless you are emailing your doctor) to interpret blood test results. Each lab has its own set of procedures to run the tests, and those procedures may give different numbers than other labs. In the U.S. the labs put "in range" or "out-of-range" (often with "high" and "low") next to the numbers on their reports. I assume it’s the same in the U.K. but it might not be. We need our doctors, however, to interpret what those numbers mean for our health issues.

RAI has been used a lot in the U.S. to treat hyperthyroidism. I has been shown to be fairly safe — i.e. not leading to the development of cancers further on in life. One swallows a pill, or a bit of chalky liquid, and that’s it. The radioactive material is taken into the thyroid, and only the thyroid. Any that misses being taken into the thyroid is eliminated from the body, primarily in urine, but also in sweat and saliva, during the first three days. The only side effects at this point are the potential for a sore throat for a few days, and an elevation in the amount of thyroid hormone in the body about one week after we swallow the pill. The major drawback for RAI is that it takes time to work to it’s maximum — weeks, and sometimes months. And, if you have major eye disease along with it, RAI can occasionally (about 16% of the time) temporarily worsen your eye symptoms. There are ways around that (taking steroids), but it is an additional slightl risk.

Surgery acts rather immediately to lower thyroid hormone levels. In the hands of a well-qualified surgeon the risks are minimized, but there are risks of infection, damage to the parathyroid gland, and damage to the vocal cords.

As to which one you choose, you really need to discuss things with your doctor, who knows your specific health condition and issues. I know it isn’t an easy decision, but it is essential that your main source of advice be your own doctor.

Good luck,
Bobbi — Online Facilitator

[suzysue November 14, 2008 at 11:50 am Post count: 1]

#1019979

Hi One and All,

I am new to this site. I was diagnoised with overcative thyroid 8 years ago and am still on medication (20mg once a day) for the last 2 years. I am thinking of a more permanent solution to my thyroid problem as my liver reading came back abnormal.

Not sure which option I want to take as yet, RIA OR SURGERY…. Any adice would be great.

Please see blood below.

Thanks suzysue (from England)

Liver Function Test
Reading Range
AST Serum Level 22 iu/L (7-40)
Serum Total Protien 72 g/l (60-80)
Serum Albumin 39 g/l (30-52)
Serum Bilirubin Level 10 umo1/L (3-17)
Alk Phos 143 iu/L (40-100)

TSH 0.05 miu/L (0.4-6.0)
Free T4 28.2 PMO/l (9-26)
WBCs 9.5 10*9/L (4.0-11.0)
RBCs 4.39 10*12/L (3.80-5.80)
HB 12.7 G/dL (11.5-16.5)
Packed Cell Volume 0.378 (0.37-0.47)
MCV 86.1 fl (79-97)
MCH 29.0 (27.0-32.0)
MCHC 33.7 g/dL (32.0-36.0)
Red Blood Cell 12.4 (11.5-16.0)
Platelet Count 86 10*9/L (150-400)
Mean Platelet volume 9.2 fl (7.0-11.0)

Differential WBC
Neutrophil 6.04 10*9/L (2.5-7.5)
Lymphocyte 2.56 10*9/L (1.0-3.5)
Monocyte 0.51 10*9/L (0.2-1.0)
Eos 0.00 0.12 10*9/L (0.0-0.5)
Basophil 0.07 10*9/L (0.0-0.1)
Large unstained cell 0.24 10*9/L (0.0-0.5)

[npattersonModerator November 15, 2008 at 8:29 pm Post count: 398]

#1075412

Dear Suzysue,
1. We can e-mail you a brief overview of the three treatments. "nancyngdf@bellsouth.net". It will help you to initially evaluate the treatments left for you. Then you need to be talking to your doctor, a lot!
2. You might want to contact the British Thryoid Foundation (BTF) Janis Hickey is the President.
"j.l.hickey@btf-thyroid.org" . Their website is "btf-thyroid.org". They have support groups in many cities, and wold offer you an excellent network of support, information about physicians, and have the advantage of being on your side of the world!
You are most welcome to continue to read and post here, but since I know there are more resources for you, hope you will avail yourself of those, as well.

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