[sjhunter]

#1059096

Hi, I just read about this new treatment – thyroid arterial embolization – for Graves Disease/Hyperthyroidism. They’ve been doing it in Canada & China since 2008. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has had it done & if it helped them at all? I’d definitely consider it as an alternative to RAI or surgery. Here is a link to the article for more information: http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/87/8/3583.full
Thanks, Samantha.

[Kimberly]

#1172103

Hello – I have not heard much about this process, although the link that you provided came from a credible journal.

One thing that stands out to me in this study is that the authors note that the results are similar to that of a subtotal thyroidectomy. That practice has fallen out of favor in recent years, due to a higher recurrence rate of hyperthyroidism vs. total thyroidectomy.

I would be interested to read more about the possibility of recurrence — along with any other potential risks — of this treatment option.

[Bobbi]

#1172104

And, the thing that struck me about the study you presented is that it only took into consideration 22 people. That’s a really small number. Since the study took place in 2002 (I think I remember), there should be follow up studies which reproduce the results in the past ten years. Single studies do not always hold up under subsequent scrutiny. So, before you press for the procedure, you should probably do more homework. And talk with your doctors.

[James]

#1172105

Interestingly enough I had been in communication with Dr. Wong a couple of years back on this very procedure as he is a researcher from my Canadian city. I looked through some of my archived e-mails and actually found a few relating to this procedure although the information dates back to late 2009.

At the time the procedure had been successfully done on one Canadian Patient who had been in “remission” without any complications 5 years post-op (that was about two and half years ago). At the present time (at least in Canada), the cost for this procedure is an issue given the long term experience the medical community has with RAI and Surgery. Although some in the medical community agree that there is a definite need for such a procedure/option, it doesn’t seem to be something that will be avidly pursued by our health care system. It is still very much experimental , although with the passage of time, there should be some longer term results to report on the few people who have had this done. I’ll see if I can find some up to date information from the key researcher and report back.

James

[Author]

Posts