[RhondaG4]

#1019222

Got a question for someone. I had my levels done right before my RAI. The T4 and TSH were within normal limits. I went ahead with the RAI because I did test positive for the GD antibodies. So my question is….until I go hypo…how do they know that the RAI worked? My levels haven’t really been bad, even when I was first DX and my antibodies were only 19 and they consider it positive at 16 or above at Mayo in MN.

Another question that may or maynot be GD related. When I was Dx, they did alot of tests. Now 6 months later, my ANA is positive with titers and a speckeld pattern. My ESR and CRP are off the charts now, but didn’t even show up right before my DX. I know they are looking for other stuff, but could these tests be related to the GD? Thanks for any insight. I go back to the Hemo doc in July, but have some results now and you know how us GD ers can be….gotta look at all the possiabilties to not be blindsided again. Hugs Rhonda

[Ellen_B]

#1070194

I can see why you have a lot of questions about the activity of your thyroid. Your doctor should provide the answers. I hope your doctor will give you a chance to ask and give you answers.

I do know that many people are put on antithyroid drugs prior to being given a RAI treatment. The purpose is get the thyroid hormone levels down towards normal so that if a considerable amount of thyroid hormone is released from the thyroid with RAI treatment, the effects will be minimized. If you had taken antithyroid drugs, then a more normal TSH would be expected just prior to RAI treatments.

You spoke of a range of normal for antibody tests at the Mayo Clinic. Is that where you had the antibody tests done? Did you travel all the way from Casper Wyoming to MN to have the tests done? Of course you know each lab has its own range of normal so you must look at the range of normal at the lab where the antibody test was done. The interpretation of the antibody tests you would have to get from your doctor.

You might be interested in some facts about antibody tests for Graves’ disease. The TSI (the thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin) or the TBII (the thyrotropin binding inhibitory immunoglobulin) are positive only in Graves’ disease –but positive in only 85-90% of patients and may be negative if the hyperthyroidism is mild.

How do you know if the RAI has worked? How long has it been since you had the treatment? Has it been a month or 6 months? Ask your doctor if a TSH or free T4 would tell. I believe it takes sometimes a month or two for the pituitary to get going again so other thyroid hormone tests other than the TSH test are helpful. Ask your doctor if a radioactive iodine uptake test (RAIU) would indicate whether your thyroid has slowed down or not. The RAIU test measures how efficiently your thyroid gland absorbs iodine.

[npatterson]

#1070195

Dear Rhonda,

Some people DO get higher ANA levels, and it does seem to have something to do with Graves’. They also seem to normalize on their own. Most doctors will give something like Prednisone to help you deal with the symptoms(inflammation in particular, which causes pain). Treat the inflammation–help the pain in the process.

However, you mention other things, and I don’t even know what they are! That may make your situation completely different.

[Author]

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