Re: Low TSH value one week before treatment

[Guest guest]

Dear Lilia,

I went in yesterday to have my TSH count done, and too, was concerned that my

count would be below 30 because I thought I should be feeling worse than what I

am. My doctor assured me that I am SEVERELY hypothyroid. He actually had to

pound twice on my arm for it to even raise for a response. I guess I thought I

wouldn't be functioning at all, but I think I bought into all this stuff: be

grateful you have this cancer thing; it's no big deal. But you know what, it

really is.

Glad you are faring well. I'm scheduled for my RAI of 150 mCi on Monday. Nice to

know I've got someone on the same time schedule.

Take Care,

Sandi, hypo 29 days

RAIk k150 mCi 3/31/03

TT 1/27/03

PAP

Low TSH value one week before treatment

Hi,

I am scheduled for my I131 treatment this Tuesday, but have not yet

got back the TSH results from my test last Tuesday. I don't feel

hypo, so I am concerned my TSH level is not high enough.

1) If my TSH value one week before treatment is below 30, should I

postpone the treatment? Or if it is above a certain level (e.g.

10,20,25,29?), is it assumed that my TSH value will be over 30 a week

later. What is that level?

2) If the TSH value turns out to be low, should I redo the TSH test

the day before the treatment (assuming I find out the results early

enough)? I was told I could do it " stat " at the hospital, and they

could have the results back 24 hours later.

Thanks,

Lilia

[Guest guest]

Hi, Lillia -

Unfortunately, there's no way to determine how fast your TSH goes up,

although once it starts rising, it does tend to keep on going up. My

TSH last May 21st was 27.6. I was concerned, since I was getting my

scan dose on the 24th. It was close enough that the nuc med doctor

and folks here reassured me it would almost certainly be high enough.

Sure enough, a TSH done on the 24th was 44 (I didn't get the results

of that test till I got my ablative dose the following Tuesday, and it

was a great relief - I must say I would have been a happier camper if

I'd known before then).

If my TSH had been a lot lower, I would personally not have been very

willing to risk taking the dose and not having it be as effective. I

don't know any magic number that I'd use to say " give me another blood

test before you give me any dose tomorrow " . If it was only 10 the week

before, I'd definitely want another test, if it had been 29, I'd feel

pretty confident it was just fine.

They absolutely should have those results from last week. I'd be on

the phone first thing Monday morning to get them from the hospital or

the doctor so you have some time to get another test should you feel

more comfortable with that.

Let us know how it goes!

Cheers,

Alisa

Currently - TSH 0.09, 140mcg Levoxyl

2/15/2002: Nodule found 2/27/2002: FNA

3/4/2002: Hysterectomy/oopherectomy-possible ovarian cancer - BENIGN!!

4/9/2002: TT - Stage 2 pap 2.5 x 2 x 1.6 cm nodule, dx Hashimotos

5/28/2002: 100 mCi RAI

12/16/02: WBS (5 mCi): clean scan - no thyroid tissue in body!!!

Age: 49 -- Location: near Seattle WA --- Check out my posts:

Radioactive Girl - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/19472

My LID - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/15872

My RAI - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/15873

LID stuff - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/25430

> Hi,

>

> I am scheduled for my I131 treatment this Tuesday, but have not yet

> got back the TSH results from my test last Tuesday. I don't feel

> hypo, so I am concerned my TSH level is not high enough.

>

> 1) If my TSH value one week before treatment is below 30, should I

> postpone the treatment? Or if it is above a certain level (e.g.

> 10,20,25,29?), is it assumed that my TSH value will be over 30 a

week

> later. What is that level?

>

> 2) If the TSH value turns out to be low, should I redo the TSH test

> the day before the treatment (assuming I find out the results early

> enough)? I was told I could do it " stat " at the hospital, and they

> could have the results back 24 hours later.

>

> Thanks,

> Lilia