[Anonymous March 16, 1997 at 10:16 pm Post count: 93172]

#1163700

Are they telling you that RAI is okay in kids? Why not PTU or surgery?
Is this a new trend we’re seeing?

[Anonymous March 16, 1997 at 10:29 pm Post count: 93172]

#1163701

I don’t mean to frighten off anyone whose children are getting RAI
treatments. I don’t know of any dangerous long-term effects. But it is
a definite cultural change in treatment, and I wonder what info you
were given. We need to hear more from you on what explanations of the
various treatment options you received. You can educate us all.

[Anonymous March 16, 1997 at 10:41 pm Post count: 93172]

#1163702

My daughter had RAI treatment when she was 8. She went into an immediate
hypo state. She has had trouble in school since, but basically her
health was okay until she entered puberty. Her synthroid has been
slow to adjust to her changing body. My daughter Katie wishes that she
would have stopped growing. She is about 5’5″ and wears a size 11 shoe.
She is a competitive swimmer and exercises everyday. Her diet is very
strict – her own way to control weight gain. The weight seems to come
on very easy but it is very difficult for her to lose. Hope this helps
with your question. I would tell your friend to be careful and to be
sure to do a lot of research before she tries this treatment.

[Anonymous March 17, 1997 at 12:36 am Post count: 93172]

#1163703

Dear Anna,
I had recently been telling folks here on this BB about an excellent
article out of the Washington Hospital Center, DC written in ’96
by the Med Dept Chair and prof of meds at several Universities,
Leonard Wartofsky,MD The journal id called Hospital Practice.

In this article all three treatments for graves are discussed…
it is positive whenever it can be, honest, realistic….valuable.

Following several positive paragraphs re: the efficiacy, safety
and cost-effectiveness of RAI the article goes on to
state that….Nevertheless, certain restrictions are prudent.
I generally reserve use of radioiodine for patients over the age of 21…..
although some investigators advocate abandoning age limits, experience
with radioactive fallout in WWII showed that the thyroid is highly
sensitive to radiation damage in childhood……..It goes on in this vein giving
examples and concludes….hence the principle candiates for
radioiodine therapy in my practice are OLDER patients,
those who have had a reoccurance after thyroid surgery, and patients in whom
antithyroid drug therapy has failed.

I don’t know if this physician could be contacted…I don’t see why not.
clearly this young person is in a very complicated and difficult
medical crisis which might make the attention of multiple specialists
consulting and conferring together highly desirable. This family
should at the very least know that whatever is ultimately deemed
the best treatment option ( is it still an option when it is down
to one?) has truly been considered by truly involved experts in the
field. wishing you and your friends the very best.

Jeannette

[Anonymous March 17, 1997 at 2:06 am Post count: 93172]

#1056539

I need some information/life experience sharing about iodine treatment. A friend’s 13 year old daughter who has both Grave’s disease and Insulin dependent diabetes was told by her doctor that he wants to give her the radioactive iodine treatment. He also told her she would stop growing as a result of the treatment. Anyone knows how the two diseases respond to the iodine? We would appreciate any information, ideas, support.
Thank you all, wishing you good health,
Anna

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