[Ski]

#1019383

sidhjs wrote:
I have been recently diagnosed with Graves, and I don’t know anything about this.
I am presently on anti thyroid medicine, but I need to choose radiation therapy or surgery fpr graves.
But I cant decide. Kindly provide pros/cons of these both solutions.
Presently my gland size is almost double than normal.
Please post my message in suitable bulletin board.

Hi Sidhjs,

Responding to your message ~ the pros/cons of these treatments are many, and pros for some are cons for others, so it’s difficult to quantify for you specifically. If any of the three treatments available to us were far and away better than another, I suppose 100% of us would choose it, but in fact it seems to me (based on years here on the board) that our opinions are pretty evenly split across all three. The MOST important thing is doing your research and finding out what feels right to YOU, so you’ve begun that process, and that’s a good thing.

All I really feel I can contribute to your decisions right now is to say that the ATDs (anti-thyroid drugs) can be taken long term unless you’re experiencing some of the more serious side effects, so I am curious to know why you say you need to choose RAI or surgery right now.

Your thyroid should shrink as your levels drop back into normal ranges (though the goiter can return if you go hypothyroid ~ the swelling comes along with either imbalance). If it is uncomfortable, for instance it’s in the way while swallowing, talk with your doctor about ways to relieve the pressure.

Get some good, basic books on thyroid disease, autoimmunity, and Graves’ in particular. You can find a list through our main webpage, and many of the books will be available at your local library or bookstore. During this time, while you are on ATDs and after you have reached normal levels, it’s the best opportunity you will have to sit back and make your choice. Do NOT let anyone railroad you into something you are uncomfortable with. If your doctor has a strong opinion one way or another, ask questions about why (is it because of your personal history, or the doctor’s history with former patients, for instance), and take all that into consideration, but your doctor is not "the boss of you" and cannot dictate the treatment you choose. You cannot choose NO treatment, but after that, the choice should be up to you.

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