[cath2284]

#1019794

Dear All,
I went to the endo today and since I am allergic to PTU as I posted about a few weeks ago we are shooting for RAI but the bad/good news is that my levels are a lot better now (I am not in remission but I am also not out of control). The bad news is that they might be so low now that I won’t have a high enough "uptake" to have the RAI be effective, but since I can’t take PTU anymore I guess if I don’t have a high enough uptake we will just keep monitoring me until my levels get bad enough again to make RAI effective. Does that make sense or am I understanding it wrong? At this point I am really hoping I have a good uptake because I would rather get the RAI done if I am going to have to do it sometime in the future, plus I would like to get pregnant again in the next few years and I keep reading that hyperthyroid can be really dangerous in pregnancy (especially if you can’t take any meds to help it) but then I have started reading that hypothyroid is bad during pregnancy too. So I guess I am just rambling here, but (1) am I understanding the whole uptake thing right and (2) if I want to have more children would it be better to try to have them prior to radioactive iodine or after (3) lastly I am an A-type personality attorney who usually has great attention to everything but lately things slip my mind all the time and I feel like a 100% space cadet; am I losing my mind or is "ditzy-ness" a side effect of Graves?

Thanks, Cath

[Ski]

#1074082

First, YES, "ditzy-ness" is definitely a symptom of hyperthyroidism, and sometimes it continues to some degree. Once again, I think ALL of us have identified ourselves as "Type A" in the past, and so we are used to juggling 4 or 500 balls at once. When that begins to be a challenge, we feel as if we are "failing," and that’s tough. When we’re still suffering from hyperthyroidism as well as healing FROM the hyperthyroidism, this is an extremely common symptom.

Your uptake may be low due to the PTU you took earlier (it blocks iodine from reaching the thyroid, I believe), so probably having an uptake done at least six weeks after you stopped taking the PTU will produce a higher number. Bottom line, RAI can be done for anyone, but the lower uptake indicates that they would have to give you much more in order to have "enough" settle in the thyroid. Speak frankly with your doctor about this ~ write down all the questions you have before you get into his office, and make sure you get each one answered to your satisfaction.

If you want to have more children, all I can say is that it’d be best to be HEALTHY and regulated before you attempt pregnancy. The less you have to worry about your thyroid hormone levels, the better. Pregnancy is enough of a strain on your body. Monitoring thyroid hormone levels throughout pregnancy is necessary, but the best position to start from is a good, stable point where you feel good.

[npatterson]

#1074083

The excess thyroid hormore acts like adrenaline, and makes our brains act as if they are teflon coated. Nothing sticks. You probably already use one, but use your Blackberry (I used to say Day-Timer) and write everything down. No abbreviations – you will forget waht they stand for–and no sticky notes. They get lost. Get your secretary to help become part of your frontal lobe. Good luck.

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