[vanillasky]

#1058891

Sorry for the brain-storming here, but I was thinking about RAI and it’s effect on the parathyroids? Can it cause hypocalcemia? If the gland is destroyed, what happens to the parathyroids?

I also was told I am very, very low on Vitamin D. My value is “7” and it should be at least “30.” What should I do?

thanks in advance!
Karen

[Bobbi]

#1170718

Hi, Karen: No, RAI does not destroy the parathyroids. Nor does it damage them. This is one of the benefits of RAI over surgery. It seems to me, too, that it is an indicator of how benign, in some respects, the RAI is. If it doesn’t damage the organ attached to the thyroid, but destroys the thyroid, it’s a pretty specific “tool” for our hyperthyroidism.

As for the Vitamin D, you should talk with your doctor about what to do. Mine recently (well, a couple of years ago) put me on a daily dose of it — 2000 whatever units. But Vitamin D is one of those vitamins that gets stored in fat cells, and can become toxic at the wrong levels, so I would suggest getting your doctor to weigh in on what to do and not try dosing yourself.

[Talley]

#1170719

I’ve had my vit D checked over the years due to other immune diseases, but my endo called last week to tell my my levels were low. my pcp put me on 50,000 capsules 2xweek.
I would call your primary doc and see about an Rx

[vanillasky]

#1170720

thank you for the info. I will!

[Naisly]

#1170721

I’m not a doctor, only a Graves patient.

RAI destroys the funtion, not the structure. But it can cause Transient Hypoparathyroidism, or Hyperparathyroidism.

Also, cancer of the parathyroids is practically unknown outside exposure to radioiodine – yet it should be noted even though its only a couple cases out of a few thousand.

My internist mentioned that all adults who live on the 47th parallel and above, should have 1000UI daily and 2000UI for Graves Patients in the winter months. I live on the 49th parallel.

Like the last posts have said, talk to your doctor because too much Vitamin D can be toxic.

~Naisly

[Carito71]

#1170722

How interesting. Thank you for the link Naisly.

Here is another interesting article about RAI, its effects on eyes, ovaries, and bone marrow.

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/thyroidcancer/detailedguide/thyroid-cancer-treating-radioactive-iodine

There is no treatment without risks.

[Kimberly]

#1170723

@Carito – Keep in mind that the above link is specific to patients who are treated with RAI for thyroid cancer, which involves larger doses than would be used for treating hyperthyroidism.

The following thread includes links to some studies that are specific to RAI treatment for hyperthyroidism:

http://gdatf.org/forum/topic/42443/

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