Hi, Steve and welcome to the board:
No, it isn’t a crock, but it is a best guess estimate. It sounds like your doctor opted to “ablate” the thyroid (eliminate enough of it to assure hypo and replacement hormone needs), and expects you to be on replacement hormone treatment sooner, rather than later. It will take time to balance out the replacement hormone therapy, so there can be some ups and downs for a period of time. Some people get there sooner than others. But RAI treatment works for about 90% of the people who receive it, the first time around, so the odds are in your favor. Anyway, I know, personally, LOTS of people who are taking replacement hormone, and are living healthy, productive lives. Keep the faith.
One thing to keep in mind as you read this board is that most of us are either new to the disease or are in the smaller percentage of Graves patients for whom there are ongoing problems (like with the eyes). Once people get healthy again, they tend not to continue posting here on a regular basis, so the focus on the board is more with ongoing problems, rather than with health.
Wishing you luck, and good health.
Bobbi
