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Anyone have radiation iodine (RAI) Therapy after Thyroid Lobectomy?
Has anyone received RAI Therapy after only having a thyroid LOBECTOMY?
From my research it's not as affective when you have a remaining lobe left. The potential good lobe is not only getting harmed/damaged but is taking up iodine which could rob the cancer cells from taking up their full potential of iodine which destroys them. So, I'm not really sure if they offer RAI therapy to those who have one lobe remaining because medical professionals may see two negatives (useless). If someone is trying to preserve a lobe than why go for RAI therapy; on the other hand, if you're gonna have RAI therapy then you my as well get rid of the other lobe.
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@mift24, good questions. I'm tagging fellow members @tessa0703 @lbrockme @kevinmk @hello2 and @cherylharder2001 to see if they have experiences to share.
Mift, have you considered getting a second opinion?
my wife had RAI after a complete thyroidectomy and about 7 months after RAI her tear duct drains stoped working and tears would run down her cheeks if she didn't dab them with a tissue. recently had surgery to install tubes for drains from corner of eye to the sinus cavity. this worked for the left eye which now drains normally . currently scheduling a second surgery to fix the drain in the right eye which is still not draining.
the RAI also affected taste buds, reducing their sensitivity. the RAI affected her saliva glands which swell and get sore once in a while. we understand now that these side effects from RAI are possible and vary a great deal from person to person,....but cancer free after two years.
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3 ReactionsI was diagnosed with Grave's Disease. I had side affects from the medication I was on. Since I already had 4 nodules on my thyroid, which had to be tested once they were big enough, I decided to have the thyroid and nodules removed. Well I made the right decision. They found cancer. It's been 2 1/2 years. As of this past spring I am cancer free. Yes I had the RAI treatment twice. No problems. Food doesn't taste as good to me though. But I can live with that. But during this time I hade Lupus and didn't know it until November 2023. The Lupus damaged my nerves.
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2 ReactionsI think you have great questions. You have done some research. Now it's time to take that research to the doctor and ask those questions. I would hear them out, take notes for future reference. I also woukd consider a second opinion as well from a experienced endocrinologist and ongologist. When you have questions it's worth hearing what different opinions are.
I hope you get answers to help you
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2 ReactionsHad RAI after total thyroidectomy and central neck disection. Surgery in December 2023 and RAI in February 2024. Everything looked good on scan. November 2024, markers went up and biopsy confirmed PTC in right lymph node. CT showed 10 x 10 x 15 mm right level IV lymph node with internal calcifications, likely involved. It also showed an
8 x 5 x 8 mm right level IV lymph node, indeterminant. I am having a right lateral neck disection tomorrow. All right side lymph nodes will be removed. I am not sure what treatment after. My doctor is meeting with the tumor panel. He is leaning against RAI this time. He is afraid it won't be effective. It depends upon type of metastasis, if it evolves into something different, etc. RAI is usually effective for missed margins. My doctors said they were very surprised my the spread. My PTC was on my left lobe and 2 center lymph nodes. Nobody wants to go through this let alone twice. Praying they get it all for you and treatment is successful, whichever type you do.