[Anonymous]

#1022123

Hi there. Thought I’d pop in and tell everyone how I’m doing. A little background. I was diagnosed nearly a year ago with Graves. Had RAI in August, 2004. Went into hypothyroid and started taking levoxyl at 100 mcg on Nov. 2004.
I went to the doctor yesterday and he was pleased that my condition had improved since he increased my dose. I told him that I was feeling fine though I still tire easily which I really think was expected for my part. My endo decided to increase my dose a little since he said that I might go hypo again in a month or so even though my levels were normal now. Has anyone had their doctor do the same for them? Not that I doubt my endo since he’s been really great. But I’m just curious if that’s really possible for me to become hypo even though I’m doing ok with my dose now. And how is it possible? I guess I should have asked my endo but I forgot. Can anyone help? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

#1081969

Yes your levels could still dip down again since you are in an adjustment period. Many of us doing those months after RAI can go up and down. Also he may have been going on the fact that you still feel tired.

Diane B On-Line Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1081970

I can address the “how is it possible” part of your question. My endo has never tried to anticipate dose changes. But I have needed a consistently larger and larger dose of replacement hormone over the past six years since my RAI took hold. I went from being on the smallest pill to now taking 150 mgs with a few upticks in between. We assume, as patients, that the ablative dose of RAI destroys all, or most, thyroid tissue. It may not. It may destroy just enough to assure that you are no longer hyperthyroid, but there can still be significant thyroid tissue left. The remaining tissue can be stimulated to produce more excess hormone by increases in antibody action, and can also eventually be destroyed by antibody action. The normal progression of the disease is for the antibodies to wear the thyroid cells out over time.

Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1081971

Andrea,

Try getting your GP to call. When the nurses in the office called the endo for my first appt., they were told it would be at least 3 months. This was not acceptable to the doctor because I was in very bad shape, my #’s were over double the highest range and I was suffering with a-fib.

He called back and demanded to speak with the endo even though the “guard” staff tried to put him off. I was one of the lucky ones – I had an appointment 3 days later. Now, my endo released me as soon as I went hypo after RAI, but I could be managed by a GP at that point. She had actually worked me in on my initial visit on her lunch break.

It’s not likely that you will get one that quick unless your #’s are really high and you have other contributing factors, but it may help. 5+ months is just too long to wait, I don’t care where you live. There has to be other endo’s within a reasonable driving distance.

Trish

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