Re: radioactive iodine treatment

[Guest guest]

Deano, I've had the radiation treatment twice, and I feel so much better. I had no symptoms afterwards, I had my thyroid levels checked monthly for the last year after I received the radiation and I was in normal limits and don't need to be on anything for thyroid. When I go for my yearly physical they check for my thyroid and it's been 3 years now and I am considered by the Endocrinologist of being cured of Graves.

Your going to hear different views on this, some say radiation is the worse, to go with natural remedies, well sometimes you do need to take medical advice over herbal remedies. These people who are taking herbs now, are they cured, no, they are still having some sort of symptoms.

You do what you feel is best for you and I wish you the best of luck.

Sandy

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

I took meds for a few months when I was diagnosed w/Graves, but used

alternative methods to get well. I have been off meds and fine for 3 1/2

years now--my thyroid levels are totally normal. Other people on this board

who rejected RAI have gotten well also. RAI will cure Graves, as it destroys

the thyroid. However, most people become hypoT after a few years, and there

is no cure for this--just meds to take for life. Maybe some people do not

become hypoT--I would be interested to know how this could be, as RAI

destroys the thyroid. Maybe in some people some of the gland is still

functioning? Can anyone explain this to me?

Thanks,

AntJoan

[Guest guest]

>RAI will cure Graves, as it destroys the thyroid. However, most

people become >hypoT after a few years, and there is no cure for this-

-just meds to take for life.

>Maybe some people do not

> become hypoT--I would be interested to know how this could be, as

RAI

> destroys the thyroid. Maybe in some people some of the gland is

still

> functioning? Can anyone explain this to me?

Hi AntJoan,

Radioactivity only mutates and lately kills cells, so regretfully

radiation doesn't cure anything. It's only mutagenic, many

mutations leading to cancers. One can ask, why is it then used

against cancer when it actually produces it?. Because of its

stochastic effects. And what does this mean?. Stochastic effects are

effects that occur on a random basis with its effect being

independent of the size of dose. The effect typically has no

threshold and is based on probabilities, with the chances of seeing

the effect increasing with dose. Cancer is thought to be a stochastic

effect. So doctors use *high* doses of radioactivity against a

tumour, considering that this will surpass the stochastic effects.

Graves' is not cured either. It destroys, damages tissue, thus

with less thyroid cells to produce hormones, fewer hyper symptoms.

This is what doctors think, …as they also think that afterwords

" hypo is easier to control " , " one pill a day and

you'll be OK " , " T4

is exactly the same hormone your body produces " and " it's

all in your

head " .

These are official medical DOGMAS that we, yatrogenic (i.e. medically

caused) hypothyroid know by heart.

So, doses used for Graves' don't ablate the gland, like in

thyroid

cancer, but partially destroy its tissues. The destruction is

achieved with beta particles and high energy gamma radiation emitted

by I-131 on its decay.

And the amount of tissue actually destroyed depends on several

factors:

- iodine uptake by the gland

- bulk of tissue to be destroyed

- legth of time radioactive iodine is retained in the gland

- distribution within the tissue

- radiosensitivity of thyroid cells

- dose

- high iodine diet can interfere

- different opinions re. Thyroid blockers role

- degree of hyperthyroidism, etc

Many factors depend on the characteristics of the gland, that differ

among individuals. Given dose is also important, because it's

often very badly calculated. How many people have an eco-doppler

study done prior RAI?. Almost nobody!. How many have a iodine uptake

prior RAI?.Very few. More often than not, doses are given on an

" estimation " basis upon a supposed weight of gland. And even

two or

three protocols, depending on the dose, but there are a number of

doctors who opt for dosing at large to ensure quick hypothyroidism.

Among those who use lower doses, RAI doesn't instantaneously

eradicate the thyroid. It's a process that continues to progress

over several years. There may be a small number of patients that

don't become hypothyroid immediately, but it's been proven

that, within 10 years after RAI, 100% of RAI'ed people is

hypothyroid.

I know of some persons who feel better 1, 2 or 3 years after RAI,

specially because they feel relieved from hyper symptoms. I don't

want to rain over other's parade, but as soon as hypothyroidism

is present, most of them invariably miss and long for their old hyper

days.

There is some more information at AtomicWomen's site. You might

consider visiting it here:

http://www.suite101.com/myhome.cfm/atomicwomen

Regards

[Guest guest]

I want to send this to my doctor. Very informative and expressive too. I

think I knew most of this but you have clarified hwo it all fits together

for me.

THANK YOU

DAWN

>From: " " <j_alicia39@...>

>Reply-hyperthyroidismegroups

>hyperthyroidismegroups

>Subject: Re: radioactive iodine treatment

>Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2000 05:47:16 -0000

>

>

>

> >RAI will cure Graves, as it destroys the thyroid. However, most

>people become >hypoT after a few years, and there is no cure for this-

>-just meds to take for life.

> >Maybe some people do not

> > become hypoT--I would be interested to know how this could be, as

>RAI

> > destroys the thyroid. Maybe in some people some of the gland is

>still

> > functioning? Can anyone explain this to me?

>

>Hi AntJoan,

>

>Radioactivity only mutates and lately kills cells, so regretfully

>radiation doesn't cure anything. It's only mutagenic, many

>mutations leading to cancers. One can ask, why is it then used

>against cancer when it actually produces it?. Because of its

>stochastic effects. And what does this mean?. Stochastic effects are

>effects that occur on a random basis with its effect being

>independent of the size of dose. The effect typically has no

>threshold and is based on probabilities, with the chances of seeing

>the effect increasing with dose. Cancer is thought to be a stochastic

>effect. So doctors use *high* doses of radioactivity against a

>tumour, considering that this will surpass the stochastic effects.

>

>Graves' is not cured either. It destroys, damages tissue, thus

>with less thyroid cells to produce hormones, fewer hyper symptoms.

>This is what doctors think, …as they also think that afterwords

> " hypo is easier to control " , " one pill a day and

>you'll be OK " , " T4

>is exactly the same hormone your body produces " and " it's

>all in your

>head " .

>

>These are official medical DOGMAS that we, yatrogenic (i.e. medically

>caused) hypothyroid know by heart.

>

>So, doses used for Graves' don't ablate the gland, like in

>thyroid

>cancer, but partially destroy its tissues. The destruction is

>achieved with beta particles and high energy gamma radiation emitted

>by I-131 on its decay.

>

>And the amount of tissue actually destroyed depends on several

>factors:

>

>- iodine uptake by the gland

>- bulk of tissue to be destroyed

>- legth of time radioactive iodine is retained in the gland

>- distribution within the tissue

>- radiosensitivity of thyroid cells

>- dose

>- high iodine diet can interfere

>- different opinions re. Thyroid blockers role

>- degree of hyperthyroidism, etc

>

>Many factors depend on the characteristics of the gland, that differ

>among individuals. Given dose is also important, because it's

>often very badly calculated. How many people have an eco-doppler

>study done prior RAI?. Almost nobody!. How many have a iodine uptake

>prior RAI?.Very few. More often than not, doses are given on an

> " estimation " basis upon a supposed weight of gland. And even

>two or

>three protocols, depending on the dose, but there are a number of

>doctors who opt for dosing at large to ensure quick hypothyroidism.

>

>Among those who use lower doses, RAI doesn't instantaneously

>eradicate the thyroid. It's a process that continues to progress

>over several years. There may be a small number of patients that

>don't become hypothyroid immediately, but it's been proven

>that, within 10 years after RAI, 100% of RAI'ed people is

>hypothyroid.

>

>I know of some persons who feel better 1, 2 or 3 years after RAI,

>specially because they feel relieved from hyper symptoms. I don't

>want to rain over other's parade, but as soon as hypothyroidism

>is present, most of them invariably miss and long for their old hyper

>days.

>

>There is some more information at AtomicWomen's site. You might

>consider visiting it here:

>

>http://www.suite101.com/myhome.cfm/atomicwomen

>

>Regards

>

>

>

>

>

_________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

Thanks for a very informative post. You answered my questions, and then

some. I am so grateful I listened to my inner voice and refused to consider

RAI, as I have been cured for 3 1/2 years now. The doctors really push it,

though, which is why we need sites like this to counteract what the doctors

tell us. Those who read these posts and are considering RAI must remember

that, as said, although some may feel OK after RAI, by 10 years, 100%

of RAI victims are hypoT--and most become hypoT way before that. Because I

was lucky enough to be able to refuse this " treatment, " I consider it my

mission to prevent others from considering an option that is pushed down all

our throats (literally). I know everyone must make up her own mind, but

information like yours lets people know the truth when they are making this

all-important decision.

Here's to good health for us all.

Regards,

AntJoan

[Guest guest]

Can you tell me which alternative methods you used?

My husband has just been diagnosed and is facing a long relationship with

antithyroid drugs.

We haven't been able to find very much information on alternative treatments

for hyperthyroidism and don't know where to start.

Thank you.

Gillian

Re: radioactive iodine treatment

> Sandy,

>

> I took meds for a few months when I was diagnosed w/Graves, but used

> alternative methods to get well. I have been off meds and fine for 3 1/2

> years now--my thyroid levels are totally normal. Other people on this

board

> who rejected RAI have gotten well also. RAI will cure Graves, as it

destroys

> the thyroid. However, most people become hypoT after a few years, and

there

> is no cure for this--just meds to take for life. Maybe some people do not

> become hypoT--I would be interested to know how this could be, as RAI

> destroys the thyroid. Maybe in some people some of the gland is still

> functioning? Can anyone explain this to me?

>

> Thanks,

> AntJoan

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/16/2000 1:13:01 PM Pacific Standard Time,

motoi.gillian@... writes:

<< Can you tell me which alternative methods you used?

My husband has just been diagnosed and is facing a long relationship with

antithyroid drugs.

We haven't been able to find very much information on alternative treatments

for hyperthyroidism and don't know where to start.

Thank you. Gillian>>

Hi Gillian,

It's possible to recover from hyperT without drugs or RAI--through

nutrition. I have a lot of info at www.iThyroid.com.

[Guest guest]

Hi, -- Can you describe what you mean by " pretty severe TED for several

years " ? I'm interested in hearing TED stories. My TED was at the Stage V

point where we had to intervene quickly because the optic nerve was involved

and the next step would be vision loss. Fortunately (unfortunately?),

Prednisone acts as a miracle drug almost, but carries its own list of

horrible side effects. So the swelling has come down almost miracously and

my color vision is coming back.. I am due tomorrow to see a radiation

oncologist to see about having radiation to the muscles and, thence, on to

that marvelous old stand-by, decompression surgery.

In essence, could you tell me how " severe " your TED was? Were both eyes

involved? What treatment did you receive? I seem to be fortunate at this

point, anyway, because only my left eye is actively involved so I can still

use my right eye and function.

It is so hard to find others with the severe TED problem to talk to. If

you could tell me your experiences and what you went throught, I'd be very

appreciative.

Thanks so very much. Helen

[Guest guest]

Say Raven, aren't you being a little judgemental with ? I, too, am

completely against RAI and would move heaven and earth to avoid it.

However, each one of us has to make our own decisions, and I think we

should accept the fact that even though most of us on this site are

completely against having RAI, there IS the occasional success story.

While I, myself, would have RAI only under life or death

circumstances, I believe we should accept 's right to make her own

decisions.

So, I say, " Lighten up " . None of us has the definitive, final word on

this subject.

Helen in Philly.

[Guest guest]

Dear Gillian,

Please go to www.iThyroid.com for complete info on alternative treatments. I

used supplements, diet and acupuncture--info on these can be found at the

site. I also tried to figure out anything new I had been using prior to when

I got sick, and discontinued use--such as Ginseng and a different

multi-vitiman from the one I had been using before. I did research,

detective work, and listened to my body, and not to the doctors. I believe

it's much easier to reverse hyperT if you catch it right away. Also, maybe

mine had a simple cause which was easy to reverse--everyone is different.

However, Graves disease often just goes away after a period of time, so just

keep taking meds (anti-thyroid and beta blockers for the heart) and trying

the alternative remedies, until you find the combination that works for you.

Good luck.

Regards,

AntJoan

[Guest guest]

Dear Raven,

Most who take RAI go hypo in 1-3 years--I think it is something like 80%.

Most don't take nearly as long as 10 years. Others on this board know the

figures. I think it takes a while for the thyroid to be totally killed off.

It also takes a while for the damage from the radiation to reach the pancreas

and other organs.

AntJoan

[Guest guest]

Hi Deano,

I had RAI (after several years resistance) in August. So far so good. I had

pretty severe TED for a couple of yeaars and since RAI it hasn't gotten

worse. In fact, after having found an optho. who is very well grounded in

TED, my eyes may be better than they were prior to RAI. My labs are getting

steadily better and I've not gone hypo, not yet. We're watching carefully so

we can " head it off at the pass " should it go that far. WE are all different

and so I don't think it fair to condemn this treatment out of hand. I didn't

want it, nohow, but I was so sick I had no quality of life whatsoever. At

this juncture, I'm happy I did it. Will keep everyone posted.

Peace and Light,

' in FL

Re: radioactive iodine treatment

> Hi Deano,

> I had RAI for Graves' disease more than a decade ago, and consider it the

> stupidest thing I've ever done. I've had more problems from hypothyroidism

> than I ever had from being hyper. And by not addressing the underlying

causes

> of GD, the immune system dysfunction, I now have other autoimmune

diseases.

> Since, I've met many people who have gone into remission using natural

> medicine or anti-thyroid drugs for more severe cases. 10% to 25% of GD

> patients go into spontaneous remission each year. The trick is to learn

how

> to reduce your symptoms of hyperthyroidism and slow down the autoimmune

> process in the meantime. Ultimately, your decision is your own, but

please

> research it carefully before making any permanent decision.

>

> Visit my Web Site at http://daisyelaine_co.tripod.com/gravesdisease/

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Helen,

I don't think anyone is being judgmental of , as we all have the right

to make our own decisions. I know she struggled with her illness for a long

time, had a difficult time adhering to alternative protocols due to

difficulties in her life, and finally made the decision after weighing

everything carefully (I believe she recounted these events in her posts). I

wish her well, and cannot judge her, as I have not walked in her shoes.

However, I CAN judge the medical profession, and the merits and downsides of

RAI. It is being pushed by the medical profession, as it causes us to be

patients for life, and because non-alternative practitioners do not have an

understanding of nutrition and other factors that can cause the body to get

out of balance. This " treatment " is extremely toxic and dangerous. The side

effects might not show up for years, but studies have shown how real the

damage is to the organs and the rest of the body, and how most patients

become hypoT for life, with a long list of symptoms. This site was founded

as a way to explore natural ways to re-balance the body to cure this disease.

The medical profession, which we all have been exposed to, pushes its

approach, while here we fight for people to consider the alternatives--to

work with their bodies to reverse an illness that is reversable, rather than

destroying a gland that is really just a symptom to end up with an illness

that is permanent.

That said, all are welcome here. Those who have had RAI have experiences to

recount, need support, and can use 's site to help them w/hypo symptoms.

However, I am one of the original members, and I don't believe this site is

meant to be a balanced forum on the question of RAI, as started it as a

way to explore alternative treatments. Perhaps this site has evolved into a

two-sided exploration of the merits of alternative vs. conventional

treatment, but that is not my understanding.

AntJoan

[Guest guest]

Sorry Raven. I didn't mean to come across as testy. I guess e-mail points

out the inadequacies of the written words vs. the spoken word; wherein, you

don't get the tonal inflections and so on.

My apologies. Helen

[Guest guest]

,

Email us in ten years please

Raven

iel Brody wrote:

> Hi Deano,

> I had RAI (after several years resistance) in August. So far so good. I had

> pretty severe TED for a couple of yeaars and since RAI it hasn't gotten

> worse. In fact, after having found an optho. who is very well grounded in

> TED, my eyes may be better than they were prior to RAI. My labs are getting

> steadily better and I've not gone hypo, not yet. We're watching carefully so

> we can " head it off at the pass " should it go that far. WE are all different

> and so I don't think it fair to condemn this treatment out of hand. I didn't

> want it, nohow, but I was so sick I had no quality of life whatsoever. At

> this juncture, I'm happy I did it. Will keep everyone posted.

> Peace and Light,

> ' in FL

>

> Re: radioactive iodine treatment

>

> > Hi Deano,

> > I had RAI for Graves' disease more than a decade ago, and consider it the

> > stupidest thing I've ever done. I've had more problems from hypothyroidism

> > than I ever had from being hyper. And by not addressing the underlying

> causes

> > of GD, the immune system dysfunction, I now have other autoimmune

> diseases.

> > Since, I've met many people who have gone into remission using natural

> > medicine or anti-thyroid drugs for more severe cases. 10% to 25% of GD

> > patients go into spontaneous remission each year. The trick is to learn

> how

> > to reduce your symptoms of hyperthyroidism and slow down the autoimmune

> > process in the meantime. Ultimately, your decision is your own, but

> please

> > research it carefully before making any permanent decision.

> >

> > Visit my Web Site at http://daisyelaine_co.tripod.com/gravesdisease/

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hellen,

Did'nt mean to be mean at all I would like to know what happens in the next ten

years.

Raven

hkenton@... wrote:

> Say Raven, aren't you being a little judgemental with ? I, too, am

> completely against RAI and would move heaven and earth to avoid it.

> However, each one of us has to make our own decisions, and I think we

> should accept the fact that even though most of us on this site are

> completely against having RAI, there IS the occasional success story.

> While I, myself, would have RAI only under life or death

> circumstances, I believe we should accept 's right to make her own

> decisions.

> So, I say, " Lighten up " . None of us has the definitive, final word on

> this subject.

> Helen in Philly.

>

[Guest guest]

Too true, I'm really grateful that is sharing on this board. I was

beginning to mistrust the information on here because it seemed it had been

censored as far as RAI goes and that doesn't make sense if there is a

transitory improvement from it. Of course we won't all agree and of course

we will all have different experiences at different times and stages of

treatment... that's the whole point of sharing the INFORMATION.

I got so cross with the doctors for censoring the information they fed me, I

reallly don't want that to happen here.

Please keep in touch . If you do have any trouble following your RAI

you will need info and support about it and if you don't, I'm sure we'd like

to hear about it on this board as we are all seeking information, not just

validation of what we already know.

Raven, sorry this sounds like I'm " having a go " at you; I'm not, you're

obviously annoyed about RAI and I agree with you on that, but your reply to

e was a bit swift and had right or wrong, it would have me in tears

when I was at my most disfunctional! So I thought I'd just stick my oar in

and make sure doesn't disappear from here.

DAWN

>From: hkenton@...

>Reply-hyperthyroidismegroups

>hyperthyroidismegroups

>Subject: Re: radioactive iodine treatment

>Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2000 12:17:52 EST

>

>Say Raven, aren't you being a little judgemental with ? I, too, am

>completely against RAI and would move heaven and earth to avoid it.

> However, each one of us has to make our own decisions, and I think

>we

>should accept the fact that even though most of us on this site are

>completely against having RAI, there IS the occasional success story.

> While I, myself, would have RAI only under life or death

>circumstances, I believe we should accept 's right to make her own

>decisions.

> So, I say, " Lighten up " . None of us has the definitive, final word

>on

>this subject.

> Helen in Philly.

_________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

[Guest guest]

WWhhoops - shouild have read this one first! sorry about that...feel really

silly now!

DAWN

>From: john <raven@...>

>Reply-hyperthyroidismegroups

>hyperthyroidismegroups

>Subject: Re: radioactive iodine treatment

>Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2000 12:40:27 -0500

>

>Hellen,

>Did'nt mean to be mean at all I would like to know what happens in the next

>ten

>years.

>

>Raven

>

>hkenton@... wrote:

>

> > Say Raven, aren't you being a little judgemental with ? I, too, am

> > completely against RAI and would move heaven and earth to avoid it.

> > However, each one of us has to make our own decisions, and I think

>we

> > should accept the fact that even though most of us on this site are

> > completely against having RAI, there IS the occasional success story.

> > While I, myself, would have RAI only under life or death

> > circumstances, I believe we should accept 's right to make her own

> > decisions.

> > So, I say, " Lighten up " . None of us has the definitive, final word

>on

> > this subject.

> > Helen in Philly.

> >

>

_________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group. Antithyroid drugs cause bone marrow suppression in

approximately 1% of patients and many children are kept on these drugs until

their symptoms resolve. The more scientists learn about radioiodine, the more

doctors advise not using it on patients less than 50 years old. Keep

researching the subject until you are satisfied with the answers.

[Guest guest]

> Hi everybody:

>

> I'm following the RAI string closely, since my child is in a

situation

> where the Drs are saying RAI or surgery is the only way.

>

> Apparently, the TSD treatment can't be continued with him without

damage to

> the bone marrow. Anyone know about this??

>

Hola otra vez ,

If you have already seen chapter 15 of deGroot (thyroidmanager) text,

you'll have found which treatments are used for Graves' in children.

DeGroot quotes that PTU or MMI are the initial choice.

PTU in more severe cases due to its property of inhibiting conversion

of T4 into T3.

MMI, longer high life, fewer tablets to take.

And the addition of betablockers when there is cardio-vascular

activity.

He also makes an indication, as an alternative to decreasing the

dosage of thyroid-blockers, which is not very much used in USA for

adults (though it is rather used in Europe), and is the

supplementation with thyroxine (T3) to avoid hypothyroidism (some

people call this Block and Replace Theraphy).

He says: " The optimum duration of therapy is unknown. Approximately

50% of children will go into long term remission within 4 years, with

a continuing remission rate of 25% every 2 years for up to 6 years of

treatment "

The statistics he gives for side effects of drugs, are higher than in

adults, 5% to 14% of children, however they add " Most reactions are

mild and do not contraindicate continued use. In more severe cases,

switching to the other thioamide frequently is effective " .

..oOo.

Now, here you have another opinion. This is from Dr Ridha Arem, who

on page 252 of " The Thyroid Solution " says:

" One of the adverse effects of antithyroid medications that often

worries patients is agranulocytosis, a reaction in the bone marrow,

which suddenly stops manufacturing white blood cells. This

frightening complication, which occurs more frequently in the first

three months of treatment, should not cause you undue anxiety because

it is quite rare. One study showed that this complication occurs in

only 3 out of 10.000 people treated with medication each year.

Although physicians usually do not monitor your blood cell count, it

is safer if this is done each time you have your thyroid tested while

being treated "

On page 254, regarding radioiodine treatment, he says:

" One recent study, for instance, concluded that the incidence of

stomach cancer may increase years after the treatment, particularly

in younger people. Because these concerns are not quite settled yet ,

it is perhaps safer to treat children and adolescents with

medications first and consider radioiodine treatment for young people

as a last resort " .

On page 254, he adds: " I tend to recommend surgery for children and

adolescents who have not responded to the medication or could not

tolerate it. Surgery often cures the condition and prevents

fluctuation of thyroid levels and its detrimental effect on mood and

behaviour " .

..oOo.

One thing that stroke me when I read today deGroot's text therapies

for children (I have to confess that I was not in the details of

infant hyperthyroidism) was the amount of radioiodine they give to

children:

" Although a dose of 50 to 200 mCi of 131I/estimated gram of thyroid

tissue has been used, the higher dosage is recommended, particularly

in younger children, in order to completely ablate the thyroid gland

and thereby reduce the risk of future neoplasia.

The size of the thyroid gland is estimated, based on the assumption

that the normal gland is 0.5-1.0 gms/year of age, maximum 15-20gms. "

This doses are the ones used for patients with thyroid cancer.

I received 8 millicuries of I-131, for a normal size gland, let's say

20/25 grams weight (it was unnoticeable in my neck). So this dose for

a small 2 y.o. whose glands weight can reach 2 grams, 3 grams …

really made me chill.

So, José, you have several things to mull down:

In case your son is not having real problems, and Doctor's words only

reflect his concern about antithyroid use, you may choose going along

with meds while you introduce 's recommendations in your son's

diet, checking his blood count regularly.

Things to ponder are, as well, that thyroid glands in children are

pretty much sensitive to radiation than the adult's ones. There is

also an increased rate for getting cancer, and cellular damage which

can manifest in the descendants. Conventional doctors sometimes say

that " it has not been observed " , when in fact it has not been

researched. Data to rely upon, is given by Chernobil disaster, and

the effects of fallout in Bielorusian children, which have gone far

beyond all prior estimations.

Yet another thought: Aftr I-131 or surgery you boy will be

hypothyroid, and depending on lifelong thyroxine replacement therapy.

But this is not is not always fine tuned. There are quite many people

who can talk on this one. And a properly and millimetrically fixed

dose is very important for children, as thyroid hormones are

essential for the growth and maduration of many tissues, brain and

skeleton included.

Now, in another post, I'm sending you a recent abstract reporting how

Graves' in children in treated in Europe. You'll note a great

difference compared with the information above as 99% of European

doctors consider antithyroid drugs the way to go for treating

hyperthyroidism in children.

I really wish you and your wife strenght and good luck.

[Guest guest]

> Hi everybody:

>

> I'm following the RAI string closely, since my child is in a

situation

> where the Drs are saying RAI or surgery is the only way.

>

> Apparently, the TSD treatment can't be continued with him without

damage to

> the bone marrow. Anyone know about this??

José, here you have this abstract, dated 1994, regarding how Graves'

in children is diagnosed and treated in Europe.

Kind regards.

Eur J Endocrinol 1994 Nov;131(5):467-73

Diagnosis and treatment of thyrotoxicosis in childhood. A European

questionnaire study.

Perrild H, Gruters-Kieslich A, Feldt-Rasmussen U, Grant D, o E,

Kayser L, Delange F

Department of Medicine B, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen,

Denmark.

A covering letter and a questionnaire covering the diagnosis and

treatment of thyrotoxicosis in childhood was circulated between

October 1992 and February 1993 amongst 672 European members of the

European Thyroid Association (ETA) and members of the European

Society for Pediatric Endocrinology (ESPE).

Almost 50% replied to the letter and 99 individuals or groups from 22

countries completed the questionnaire.

A consensus was reached on the use of total thyroxine (T4) and/or

free T4 and thyrotropin as routine diagnostic tools.

Two-thirds included total triiodothyronine (T3) and/or free T3 and

32% used a thyrotropin-releasing hormone test.

Surprisingly, thyroglobulin autoantibodies were used as a routine

test by 78%; 63% included thyrotropin receptor antibodies and 60%

microsomal antibodies, whereas only 50% measured thyroperoxidase

antibodies.

For thyroid imaging, 40% performed a thyroid scintigram and 56%

measured the size of the thyroid gland by ultrasound.

Antithyroid drugs (ATD) were the basic initial treatment of choice

given by 99% of the respondents for children with uncomplicated

Graves' disease.

Carbimazole, methimazole and thiamazole were the most frequently used

drugs, with a median initial dose of 0.8 mg.kg-1.day-1.

Two-thirds added beta-blockers and a few used sedatives.

The ATD dose was adjusted for each patient by 39%, whereas 56%

combined ATD with T4 for long-term treatment; 84% gave treatment for

a fixed period (44% for 1-2 years).

Surgery was considered the treatment of choice in children with an

adenoma (83%), with a nodular (53%) or large goiter (16%) and

recurrence after ATD (14%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PMID: 7952157, UI: 95039865

[Guest guest]

> Can you tell me which alternative methods you used?

>

> My husband has just been diagnosed and is facing a long relationship with

> antithyroid drugs.

>

> We haven't been able to find very much information on alternative treatments

> for hyperthyroidism and don't know where to start.

Hi Gillian: You may wish to check out the following website. Read the

articles, follow the links, and be informed! Also read the information on

aspartame - very scary stuff!

Take care,

Me.

http://webhome.idirect.com/~wolfnowl/thyroid.htm

[Guest guest]

Hi Marcia.....I've been on ATDs (PTU) for four years and finally going into

remission. I considered RAI two years ago but discovered it can worsen TED

(thyroid eye disease) and decided to hold off. I'm glad I waited. You

should check the ithyroid.com website for additional information. Also

foods such a brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage are good for hypers. Reduce

your intake of fish, salt, and seaweed until his thyroid levels are stable.

" The Thyroid Solution " by Dr. Arem has lots of info too. Check out the

vitamin list at ithyroid too!

Remember, it takes time for the meds to stabilize the thyroid so be patient

and reducing his stress level will help too. Take care, Mona

Re: radioactive iodine treatment

> Can you tell me which alternative methods you used?

>

> My husband has just been diagnosed and is facing a long relationship with

> antithyroid drugs.

>

> We haven't been able to find very much information on alternative

treatments

> for hyperthyroidism and don't know where to start.

Hi Gillian: You may wish to check out the following website. Read the

articles, follow the links, and be informed! Also read the information on

aspartame - very scary stuff!

Take care,

Me.

http://webhome.idirect.com/~wolfnowl/thyroid.htm

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I had RAI and would never recommend it. Just have to wonder why you're not

trying Tapazole instead? It's rare for someone to react to both ATDs. Also,

the serious side effects associated with ATDs generally develop during the

first four weeks and not later. Most symptoms are also dose related.

You can read my web site for more info on treatment options and my

experiences with RAI. Take care, Elaine

Please visit my web site at http://daisyelaine_co.tripod.com/gravesdisease/