Medication
Once the doctor has decided that your Graves' disease is effectively under control, you will still need to have routine checkups to make sure that your thyroid levels remain within the normal range. It should be noted that most people become hypothyroid after taking radioactive iodine for Graves' disease.
Procedures
However, these medications should not be used for long periods of time, as they can lead to bone loss, muscle weakness, and weight gain. Vision problems and severe cases of eye protrusion can often be corrected through radiation therapy and surgery. A person who has Graves' disease should also see an eye doctor.
Therapy
Some Graves’ patients have achieved remission after years of therapy using anti-thyroid drugs combined with levothyroxine (modified block and replace therapy). [5] Some who underwent RAI treatment suffer from some degree of damage to the stomach, salivary, [6] lacrimal (tear) glands [7] and other organs, because those organs also collect iodine.
Nutrition
Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your Graves' disease-related health concerns Start Here The treatment goals for Graves' disease are to stop the production of thyroid hormones and to block the effect of the hormones on the body. Some treatments include: With this therapy, you take radioactive iodine (radioiodine) by mouth.
What should I expect after taking radioactive iodine for Graves disease?
What are the long term effects of radiation therapy for Graves'disease?
What is the treatment for Graves’ disease?
Can Mayo Clinic help with my Graves'disease-related health concerns?
What happens after radioactive iodine treatment for Graves disease?
Some people may have a feeling of tightness or swelling in their neck for a few days after treatment. This is more common if you still had a large part of your thyroid gland when you have radioactive iodine treatment. Some people also feel flushed. Rarely, people can feel pain in their neck.
How long does it take to feel better after radioactive iodine?
In almost all cases, your thyroid hormone levels will return to normal or below normal after radioactive iodine treatment. This may take 8 to 12 weeks or longer.
What precautions do I take after radioactive iodine treatment?
Do not share cups, glasses, plates or eating utensils. Wash items promptly after using. Other people may use items after they are washed. Do not share towels or washcloths.
Can Graves disease return after radioactive iodine treatment?
Abstract. The use of radioactive iodine (131I) in the treatment of Graves' disease results frequently in hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone supplementation. Relapse of Graves' disease months after inadequate treatment with 131I is well-recognized.
What are the long-term side effects of radioactive iodine?
NCI study finds long-term increased risk of cancer death following common treatment for hyperthyroidism. New study findings show an association between the dose of a common treatment for hyperthyroidism and risk of death from solid cancers.
Will I gain weight after radioactive iodine treatment?
Treatment of hyperthyroidism with RAI or anti-thyroid medications is associated with an increased risk of gaining weight and even developing obesity. This risk is slightly higher with RAI therapy compared to medications.
Can you be around someone after radiation treatment?
The radiation travels a very short distance, so the effects are mostly to the tumor. However, you may have to limit contact with other people for up to one week after treatment. It is especially important to avoid close contact with children and women who are pregnant.
What is the most common complication of radioiodine therapy?
The most common adverse reaction to medical therapy was a rash in 8 patients, followed by neutropaenia (neutrophils < 1.0 × 109/L) in 6 patients. LFT derangement was reported in 3 patients taking PTU and 1 patient taking carbimazole.
How do you clean your house after radioactive iodine?
The iodine-131 will wash out in the laundry. Vacuuming will pick up hair that is shed, which will have small amounts of radioactivity in it since our heads also sweat. The conservative approach would be to cover the chair with a sheet.
How do I know if my Graves disease is in remission?
These medications were discontinued if the serum TSH was within normal range for > 6 months on a very low dose of antithyroid medications. Remission was defined as maintaining normal thyroid hormone levels for > 1 year after stopping the medications.
How successful is radioactive iodine treatment?
Conclusion: Radioactive iodine treatment is an effective modality for definitive treatment of hyperthyroidism with long-term cure approaching 80%.
Will I have Graves disease forever?
Graves' disease is a lifelong condition. However, treatments can keep the thyroid gland in check. Medical care may even make the disease temporarily go away (remission): Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers, such as propranolol and metoprolol, are often the first line of treatment.
How to diagnose Graves disease?
To diagnose Graves' disease, your doctor may conduct a physical exam and check for signs and symptoms of Graves' disease. He or she may also discuss your medical and family history. Your doctor may also order tests including: Blood tests. Blood tests can help your doctor determine your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) ...
What tests are needed for Graves disease?
Imaging tests. If the diagnosis of Graves' disease isn't clear from a clinical assessment, your doctor may order special imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI.
Why does thyroid shrink?
Because the thyroid needs iodine to produce hormones, the thyroid takes the radioiodine into the thyroid cells and the radiation destroys the overactive thyroid cells over time. This causes your thyroid gland to shrink, and symptoms lessen gradually, usually over several weeks to several months.
How to treat Graves' ophthalmopathy?
Treating Graves' ophthalmopathy. Mild symptoms of Graves' ophthalmopathy may be managed by using over-the-counter artificial tears during the day and lubricating gels at night. If your symptoms are more severe, your doctor may recommend: Corticosteroids.
What is the procedure to remove the thyroid gland?
Surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid (thyroidectomy or subtotal thyroidectomy) also is an option for the treatment of Graves' disease. After the surgery, you'll likely need treatment to supply your body with normal amounts of thyroid hormones.
What is the blood test for Graves disease?
People with Graves' disease usually have lower than normal levels of TSH and higher levels of thyroid hormones.
Can Graves disease be treated with corticosteroids?
Your doctor may recommend this if your eye problems are worsening and corticosteroids alone aren't effective or well tolerated. Graves' ophthalmopathy doesn't always improve with treatment of Graves' disease.
What are Graves antibodies?
Second, you may still be dealing with Graves’ antibodies, which is a separate issue from not having any thyroid hormone production. The Graves’ antibodies are responsible for conditions like thyroid eye disease (TED) and disfiguring skin conditions (pretibial myxedema, acropachy).
What is Graves disease?
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that leads to overactivity of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). I have Hypothyroid Mom readers struggling with hypothyroidism now since treatment for their Graves’ with radioactive iodine (RAI) or thyroidectomy. I welcome Barbara Lougheed, author of the book Tired Thyroid: From Hyper to Hypo ...
How long does it take for antibodies to increase after RAI?
However, antibodies usually increase significantly during the first three months after RAI, then slowly decrease, but levels can still remain above the reference range even after five years. [3] . In some patients, as the antibodies regress, their Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) returns. [4] .
Does RAI cause damage to the stomach?
Some who underwent RAI treatment suffer from some degree of damage to the stomach, salivary, [6] lacrimal (tear) glands [7] and other organs, because those organs also collect iodine. I did not suffer any severe side effects from the RAI, probably because of the low dose (8 mCi) given to me.
Does destroying the thyroid cause antibodies?
Destroying the thyroid gland may have no effect on the Graves’ antibodies, since white blood cells produce the antibodies, not the thyroid gland. In a few unfortunate patients, RAI may actually increase the antibodies and worsen or induce thyroid eye disease, which can be painful and disfiguring. [2] .
What happens if you destroy your thyroid gland?
And, if you destroy your thyroid gland, it turns out that that may have consequences on your metabolism. Anectodally, you've probably already heard stories about people gaining weight after their procedure.
How to avoid weight gain after RAI?
Your best bet to AVOID weight gain after RAI is to go into your procedure with a normal weight and to maintain a healthy lifestyle both before and after. Just realize that you will always be in a 'sensitive' category and you will be more likely to gain weight compared to people with their thyroid intact. #3.
How long does radioactive iodine affect sperm count?
Important to men is the fact that radioactive iodine can cause short-term reductions in sperm count for up to 2 years after your procedure (8). This may or may not be important to you based on your age, your gender, and whether or not fertility is something you are interested in but, again, it's worth knowing about.
How long can you live after iodine treatment?
You can expect to live a fairly normal life after radioactive iodine treatment but your life will probably not be exactly as it was before your procedure. For most people, this means that you can expect to live at 80-90% of your 'normal'.
How long does it take for a RAI to fade?
The good news is that this radioactivity does fade over a short period of time (usually 5 to 7 days) but the bad news is that you need to stay under certain precautions during this time.
Can you survive after RAI?
You can obviously survive after RAI (otherwise they wouldn't do the procedure) but I want to teach you how to thrive afterward. And to key to getting there is to understand what happens to your body after this procedure and how it influences your thyroid function.
Can you take a thyroid pill every day?
There's no way for doctors to give you a pill once a day and for that pill to perform the exact same function that your thyroid gland does every minute of every day. Because of this, people may experience symptoms which may lead them to want to restore whatever thyroid function they can.
How to avoid radiation?
Here are some ways to minimize radiation risks to other people (and pets) after you have had RAI treatment: 1 Stay at least six feet away from other people, including members of the public, family members, and co-workers, for three to 11 days. This means avoiding public transportation, hotels, carpools, and in some cases, your workplace. 2 Sleep apart from adults by at least six feet (a separate bedroom is recommended) and avoid sexual activity. 3 Avoid sleeping in the same bed with a pregnant woman, infant, or child for a period of six to 23 days. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, infants and children should ideally stay outside the home for the recommended period. 1 4 To protect family pets, do not sleep with them for up to 21 days.
How to minimize radiation risks?
Keep Your Distance. Here are some ways to minimize radiation risks to other people (and pets) after you have had RAI treatment: Stay at least six feet away from other people, including members of the public, family members, and co-workers, for three to 11 days. This means avoiding public transportation, hotels, carpools, and in some cases, ...
Can you hospitalize after a RAI?
It is not common in the United States to hospitalize patients after RAI, but if you are receiving a particularly high dosage of iodine 131 and have no way to protect children or babies, it may be an option. A Low-Iodine Diet Can Make Radioactive Iodine Treatment More Effective.
What is Graves disease?
Graves’ disease is a common cause of an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Studies have shown that having Graves’ disease may have negative impact on patient’s quality of life. Graves’ disease is usually treated with antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery.
What is radioactive iodine used for?
Radioactive iodine: this plays a valuable role in diagnosing and treating thyroid problems since it is taken up only by the thyroid gland. I-131 is the destructive form used to destroy thyroid tissue in the treatment of thyroid cancer and with an overactive thyroid.
Is radioactive iodine therapy less desirable?
If these findings are confirmed in other studies in other countries, it would suggest that radioactive iodine therapy may be less desirable in the long term as compared to antithyroid drugs or surgery. — Sun Y. Lee, MD.
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