Anyone have a Thyroid Scan ?

[Sierra pachie bars]

I have to get one in two weeks. I can't eat soy, sea food and my muti- vitamins. I asked alot of questions was only told my numbers were VERY low. I have Graves and always had problems keeping weight on. Now I gained 30 pounds and none of my eating habits have changed. I thought the weight gain was from all the medications I have been on to try to control my FMS. Could be both who knows. I use to always be cold now I am always hot which is a change even my husband noticed.
I know the pill is radioactive , I then go home then have to return for a scan. Then I go home then return following day for another scan. Anyone ever have one ? And what exactly are they looking for ? I am worried because I was asked if I had any family history of thyroid cancer? Which I don't. I'm only 35 and I just feel like I am falling apart

 

[baldie]

I have never had one personally but my sisters best friend has thyroid cancer. They just did another scan recently because her #s were up again. She is only 28 years old. She is in remission now and is on meds to regulate what her thyroid used to do. I have googled it and it seems it is a pretty curable cancer as long as they find it soon enough. Hopefully everything will be okay and it is not that.

 

[Judy]

Yeah, keep good thoughts. Whatever they find, there are excellent treatments available, and you will almost certainly feel much better when they get the diagnosis done and proper treatment started. I know the wait and anticipation are no fun.

Hang in there.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

What kind of thyroid scan? I recently had a CT scan (with dye) of my thyroid gland. Painless. Does that help?

Hope everything is fine. When my doctor said he was sending me for my CT scan due to a "lesion" on the right lobe of my thyroid, I kind of freaked out a little in my head. Turns out, after 2 ultrasounds of it in addition to the CT scan, and a visit to an endocrinologist, they still don't know exactly what that lesion is -- but they aren't worried about it. I go back to the endo in a year for a follow-up ultrasound. Hopefully yours is nothing.

 

[insiderart]

I've had them. They make you sit in a chair (at least at our hospital) and the scan takes a baseline either before or some small times after you take the radiation. You take the tablet and then come back 24 hours later and they scan again.

They are looking for iodine uptake by the thyroid. Is your issue nodular in origin, diffuse (graves is diffuse), etc. They look for hot spots etc.

My scan showed diffuse thyrotoxic goiter, no nodules. So it was "off with it's head and I131 for me because I was allergic to the 2 antithyroid drugs approved in the US.

Usually they will always scan before offering surgery or radiation because you have to make sure of the origin (nodular hyperthyroid often does not respond to radiation, so surgery is the only option, for graves you can have radiation or surgery depending upon your Dr.) and make sure it's isn't indicative of cancer. So really they have to scan to make sure how to treat the issue.

HTH!

 

[Sierra pachie bars]

Well they aren't telling me to much. I was on a PTU for almost two years and went into remission. My thyroid was normal. I refused radation. I just talked with my husband and we decided to see if I would stay normal. But it seems like now my thyroid is going hypo. I seem to be going hyper then hypo.

 

[insiderart]

I tried PTU and actually I liked it, except for the um.. huge hives!

They just want to see what is going on with your thyroid. Why has it changed.. what tactic to use next.

 

[maplesky7]

I know what it's like to be 35 and be sick.

You will get through this. Lean on your friends and family and church if you have one. That's what they are here for. And byc friends are always here too.

hugs,
gretchen

 

[HennysMom]

Quote:
Yes, its exactly like this ..but it can also vary a bit. I didnt have to come back the next day, I had all mine done in 1 day. It depends on what type of iodine / nuclear updake they use.

Also was on the PTU as well from 1993-1998/9 when I finally had to get the I131 (radiation) to destroy my thyroid. I did the same thing you did MS - kept it at bay for a while until it could no longer be kept at bay. I too have Graves. I also developed Graves Eye disease oddly enough - 3 years after I was irradiated. Some people get it..some dont. Wish I didnt

If you should choose to be iridiated (and it sounds like that is the next step since PTU isnt working any longer and you're flipping about) they can use small amounts and only kill off SOME Of your thyroid vs. the entire thing, making it so you can still have your thyroid functioning and some not functioning. You wont need meds if they do it this way. On the other hand, stranger things have happened (like to me...) where that was supposed to have been done, my body reacted differently and that small dose instantly killed my entire thyroid off in a matter of 6 weeks where it should have taken at least a year - on top of that, even if I had opted for a full iridiation at that point, it should have taken about 9 months to a year to kill the thyroid off before I needed medication (syn. thyroid); it didnt. I went for another uptake scan within 6 weeks and I was completely dead

So started Thyroid meds immediately. Not too big of a deal..but I'd of preferred to keep my thyroid vs taking a pill - my body had other plans however. I uptake quickly so if they do an iodine uptake on your first - it should be able to tell them how FAST you uptake...and they should adjust accordingly on the I131 if you want to try to keep part of your thyroid.

Same note: with taking I131 - you will be radioactive for approx. 3 days so no drinking, eating, etc off of what everone else does (get disposable dinnerware) as well as avoid children and pets as best as you can (close contact, kissing, etc). When you use the restroom, it comes out in your urine so make sure you scrub the bathroom down each and every time. (Sorry..I know TMI..but..it is what it is).

Other than that... its just swallowing a pill.. its just getting the right dose that is the biggest concern. Make sure you talk to your doctor in depth... try to keep your thyroid working if you can vs. going on synthetic meds. It can be done....

 

[cockadoodlemom]

I have a cyst on my thyroid and I am guessing I will have some more test on it. I think one of my docs said I need a sono of it done but not sure.
I am 37 and I have been living with a lot of illness since I was 20. I got really sick after 3 months of marriage and my dh has been by my side. I know how you feel and it stinks to be sick all the time. I sometimes scream "I'm sick of being sick" but when you stop and think about others it could be worse-that's what keeps me going.