Thanks look forward, Yes! I would like to try some of your supplements, but not sure which ones I should be looking at. Some people, however, may have further trouble after their treatment and suffer from weight gain, hypothyroid symptoms, and other issues. He just does my blood work and adjusts my medicine as needed. 1. Reply. I have a quick question. Thank Sharon. P.S. And in addition to going back to surgery for the left lobectomy, to expect to be on the Radioactive Iodine therapy. Also I drink 100 ounces of water plus other hydrating fluids and food per day. Your Doctor will be able to help determine how much of your gland was destroyed. my husband had the iodine radiation, for Graves disease. Hopefully, you're now a lot closer to figuring out what color you should dye your hair. Radioactive iodine treatment is a therapy that your veterinary surgeon may recommend if your cat is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. But if you're having radiation to the head and neck area and experience hair loss, it's best to wait a few months after your hair has grown back. The permanency can be seen as a benefit as patients condition will become stable and symptoms can be more easily controlled. of radiation.But I wonder after that if I can dye my hair.Unforuntly it is coming back completly gray.I will be thankful to have hair.But I don,t look good with gray either.I know some people do.Someone said they thought you had to wait a year.I hope their wrong.Thanks for your replys. Since then I have suffered most every day with severe chemical sensitivity. I know, I know, I shouldnt be so vain. Hives. He is now smelling smoke, all the time. I had an RAI about three years ago, due to hyperthyroidism. 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. Not only can doctors NOT find a thyroid replacement that works for me due to side affects, Ive lost 70% of my hair and have to wear wig, Ive gained more weight than ever before in my life, Im constantly fatigued, in pain, moody, still have a very fast heart rate between 110-130, anxiety (like Im still hyperthyroid, but Im not.) I had RAI in 2010 and was eventually started on a regime of 150 Levothryroxine daily, about 8 weeks post treatment. My TSH is very low but my free T3 indicates my body isnt using T3. For example, uranium has thirty-seven different isotopes, including uranium-235 and uranium-238. The only other condition that causes heat intolerance that comes to mind is menopause and perimenopause. Does Taking Thyroid Medication Cause High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)? My supplements can help but they will not take the place of thyroid medications like levothyroxine. Men should sit down when urinating. This is usually put into pill form for patients to ingest. No ill effects have been noted in the children born to parents who received radioactive iodine in the past. Everybody tells me that my thyroid being killed should have nothing to do with the heat affecting me like it does. Hyperthyroidism is a condition where your body produces too much thyroid hormone so the treatment is to destroy your thyroid gland and stop that production. Now I cant stand the heat and I used to go to the beach all the time. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) and Thyroid Health: Is it Safe to Use? Doctors tell cancer patients that the thyroid is the only tissue which takes up iodine, thus making this a safe form of cancer treatment that will not . My hair has been a part of me for many years, it is waist length, and Im wondering if having it cut off and sent to make a wig for myself would be best or just wait and see if I do in fact loose my hair. Dr. Yash Khanna answered. SHBG :43 (16-55) Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism cause intolerance to heat and cold respectively, so that isnt uncommon but what is uncommon is to experience those symptoms after RAI. I read your list of vitamins all NINE of them, and the only thing I could think of is NO! This is probably not what you want to hear, especially if this is a procedure that is necessary for your health, but its still important to know about it. How is this happening? The highest sources (and those to be avoided) are iodized salt, grains and cereals, some breads . Instead, you are now hypothyroid (7) (meaning you dont produce enough thyroid hormone on your own). Since the science is inexact there are two ways of approaching the treatment. Are you thinking about getting radioactive iodine treatment? I had radiation iodine therapy in late September. I am in the military, stationed in Fl. I welcome Barbara Lougheed, author of the book Tired Thyroid: From Hyper to Hypo to Healing - Breaking the TSH Rule. Its the working hard for absolutely nothing that I dont want to do! Will it . No. It sounds like you are being underdosed based on your TSH level. A high uptake of radioactive iodine suggests Graves' disease. Calculating the half life of radiation, it will be a couple months before I can be around nursing home residents and pregnant women, and each and every nursing home has several pregnant women on each unit and each shift. Use disposable dishes and place them in a specially marked plastic bag for disposal. Information for patients administered radioactive iodine (I-131). A large study found an increase in some cancer types in people who had radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism compared with the general population. The entire goal of the procedure is to put radioactive iodine molecules into your body with the sole purpose of destroying your thyroid gland. I had RAI treatment year 2010, and now I am taking levothyroxine for my hormonal replacement since I am considered as hypothyroid patient. Catnip works for lighter colors. It is worth pointing out, however, that some other tissues can take up the radioactive iodine such as the beta cells in your pancreas (2) though it isnt clear how much damage exists (if any) in these other cells. I know some people contribute this 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. #2. Not everyone gains weight after RAI, if thats what you mean by treatment but if you are going to, it will start within 4-6 weeks of the procedure and may continue for several months. I HAD MY RAI LAST SEPTEMBER 12, NOW IM ALREADY 2 MONTHS AFYER MY RAI. Anecdotally, youve probably already heard stories about people gaining weight after their procedure. Now they are suggesting a second treatment at a higher dose. Its even more important to test free thyroid hormone levels if you no longer have a thyroid gland. Theres a higher risk that the cancer comes back but its also a way to preserve some thyroid function. Is there anything I can do to protect myself as I am driving her. Like the effects of chemotherapy, hair follicles and new hair are more delicate and prone to . The relationship between your thyroid to your hair growth aside, iodine . This was published id a study by dr brunelli fro. #4. Most thyroid patients who receive RAI treatment eventually end up hypothyroid and will need to take thyroid hormone replacement drugs indefinitely. More important than how the procedure works is how it will affect you afterward. To lighten hair dyed that is too dark with vitamin c powder, mix together 1 tablespoon of vitamin c powder with 1/2 cup of water. About 25 years ago they killed my thyroid with radioactive iodine. can i color my hair after radioactive iodinehtml5 interactive animation. The next person to tell me how easy this cancer is, Im going to pull their toenails out threw their nostrils then tie them in a knot out their but hole. Have you ever heard of this before? I had the motto: Ive never met a stranger, they are just the friends I havent met yet. Now, I would rather not talk to anyone, and if Im forced to, I keep it to bare minimum. Perhaps the most concerning of all of the issues after RAI is weight gain. Now the top of my hair is thick and fine and the back of my hair is thick and curly it has a little bit of wire feeling to it. But, I am having a lots of rashes all over my neck and scalp, it got swollen and bumps. Researchers estimated a 12% increased risk for death from breast cancer and a 5% increased risk for death from . Radioactive iodine may also be helpful for people with certain types of thyroid cancer. I was normal weight and now frustrated to be 30 pounds overweight. You get it in liquid or pill form. These are just a few of the questions that I want to answer in this article. Radioactive iodine therapy is a type of internal radiotherapy treatment for thyroid cancer. You're given a drink or capsule that contains iodine and a low dose of radiation, which is . #3. Is it 10 days? A better option might be to try just a partial thyroidectomy or to take out just the half of the thyroid with the cancer. I had a lot of hair loss right after my thyroidectomy. Foods to Avoid if you Have Thyroid Problems: Ive found that these 10 foods cause the most problems for thyroid patients. This shouldnt stop you from trying natural therapies (as long as they are relatively inexpensive and not harmful) but you should have reasonable expectations as you do so. Then PCP wants B/P readings and daily weights. I dont feel like I have gone back hyper after being off my meds for 4 weeks. To protect family pets, do not sleep with them for up to 21 days. I hope this post is still active. So when you take radioactive iodine your body will automatically take it up and store it in the thyroid gland. Your hair should be colored before a BK treatment. Its impossible to predict how any one person will react to any given treatment or operation but the available research suggests that those who go into the procedure overweight are more likely to gain weight afterward. non dairy spreads such as Vitalite, Pure and non dairy Flora. It can be an iodine-based material, barium-s ulfate, gadolinium, or saline and air mixture that can be swallowed or injected intravenously. Many clinical studies have also confirmed that weight gain after RAI is a real risk. I had RAI treatment 4 weeks ago 29.9 mci due to hyperthyroid hot noduals. can i color my hair after radioactive iodine. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Prior to my RAI my level was .03. Is this normal? Hyperthyroid Symptoms Checklist Do you Have an Overactive Thyroid? My eyes improved for a while but now seem to be getting worse. Severe reactions occur in 0.04% to 0.02% of people receiving contrast, with a death rate of one person in every 170,000. They said it was After all, didnt the radioactive iodine work to reduce your overall thyroid hormone production? I was tested in 6 weeks and my thyroid numbers were still high so I was not tested again until Feb. 2019. Radioactive iodine is a procedure that is often used to treat hyperthyroidism. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Not to mention the radiation! MY DOCTORS ADVICE ME TO STAY UNTIL MARCH OR APRIL FOR FURTHER CHECK UP.. Its probably a good idea to stay close to your doctor until your dose of thyroid medication is optimized. If we extrapolate out this data then it means that on average 30% of all people who undergo RAI can expect to gain some kind of weight. This is an extension of what weve already discussed but its worth spending some time on this specific point. What can I be looking at regarding weight gain. Warm shades on cool undertones can make you look washed out or dull. But, if I was being honest, I think that most people should not rely on the possibility of restoring much thyroid function after their procedure. Another doctor wants my temp and glucose readings, temp shes ok with once or twice during the day. If you are unable to avoid direct or indirect contact with infants and young children, ask your healthcare provider about the possibility of hospitalization. Some people may have a feeling of tightness or swelling in their neck for a few days after treatment. Hi, doctor, I am in a lot of pain I stay cold 100 percent of the time with body aches sleepless nights. What will you really expect after your RAI, side effects Yes I took the radation iodine pill five days ago what can I take for itchy skin I got some cortisone will that help. They have already said I would need to take the radiation iodine treatment. I have not lost any weight. 12 noon, lunch and VS with glucose readings. The amount of iodine taken up by your thyroid is then measured. My endocrinologist said he never heard someone like that after RAI, but i asked my cousin who is a family doctor back home that you will expect that will happened to you. Do not share any towels, razors, toothbrushes, cups, spoons, forks, or dishes. Certain 'hair supplements' should be avoided as they may contain iodine or interfere with levothyroxine . Once your thyroid is destroyed, it will no longer work exactly as it used to. Thank you for any advice! Gadolinium-based Contrast Material. The answer is maybe, and it depends on the person, how much damage was done to their thyroid, and other factors that arent always in your control. Lowered heart rate. So I had the ablation without much research on my own, and now Im at the highest weight of my life and miserable. I underwent RAI 14 years ago for Graves disease. Thank you and God bless! Because of this, people who undergo RAI (meaning those who destroy their thyroid gland) need some type of thyroid hormone replacement. what is the normal amount of time a person needs to be off thyroid supplemental medication before the radioactive iodine treatment is done? <0.01 I also happen to formulate the best supplements on the market (well, at least in my opinion!) In your case, these would be best: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroidectomy-rai-bundle/. My endo physician would not increase the dosage so I went to my G.P. A swollen or tender neck and feeling flushed. Radioactive iodine ( 131 -I) is a radioactive isotope that is administered orally, in a liquid or capsule form. can i color my hair after radioactive iodine. Hair that is not being treated directly with radiation can be dyed. It doesnt appear that the first treatment was sufficient to destroy the hot nodules (or there is some other issue). Many people undergo radioactive iodine treatment (RAI) without really understanding what is happening in their bodies. Check out my thyroid supplements. Mary Shomon is a writer and hormonal health and thyroid advocate. If it was, then you will most likely need to start thyroid medication relatively soon (within the next days to weeks). The hardest time I had and have with my diet is getting hospital dietitian to understand that vegan/plant based does not mean fish and chicken are allowed. Results were. I'm Dr. Westin Childs. #1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22914564, #2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5413587/, #3. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/thy.2010.0090, #4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5455212/, #5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28545679, #6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336179/, #7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851449/, #8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18832945. If you find that your TSH is high or that your free t3/free t4 is low, then this may be the cause of your symptoms. We know that that still leaves lots of options if your heart isn't already set on a color. Or longer So, when I get up at Midnight unless I stay up that late, I get a full set of VS plus my glucose readings, and take my Levothyroxine. I am considering following up with the endocrinologist in the morning. Life has been very difficult as I basically go very few places now and live a life with little social contact. My health is anything but wonderful. If your overactive thyroid symptoms persist 6 months after treatment, you may need a second dose. These are the questions that I want to focus on today and hopefully answer many of the current questions that you already have. Memory loss. You can eat the following foods because they contain very low levels of iodine: fruits and vegetables including potatoes. It is a measurement of thyroid function, but does not involve imaging. I had RAI treatment done 10 years ago. My problem now is my hair loss and I cant help get rid of this problem. I ordered the dutch test so have those results but I cannot read it and I am not sure what it all means. The best course of action is to contact the doctor that was responsible for your procedure and let them know about your symptoms. You may also experience nausea and vomiting, as well as a decrease in appetite. Will you be able to maintain your current weight? Cats can receive a second treatment, if necessary. The thyroid gland relies on iodine to make the hormones necessary for the growth of healthy hair, teeth, and bones. Im worried more about loosing my hair than my life. My question is what if I do radiation while my thyroid isnt hyperactive? 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. I was experiencing heart palpations, diffuclty breathing while lying down, weight gain. The majority of radioactive iodine, therefore, will be absorbed by any remaining thyroid cells. Prior to discovering the bump, I had reversed my Diabetes and had consistent HA1C readings of 5 or lower. The problem is that once you destroy your thyroid gland you are no longer considered to be hyperthyroid. Claim Your Free eBook Now. I eat three meals with three snack times. It is also called radio iodine. The other 20% may require additional testing and the use of other thyroid medications which contain T3 thyroid hormone. It probably wont be an issue if you left but you wouldnt want to find yourself in a situation where you are unable to get your thyroid medication and your symptoms are poorly controlled. You wouldnt want to use a steroid on it unless you know what it is. I had RAI about 39 years ago and every year Im tested for my TSH level which always seems to be in the normal range. Radioactive iodine treatment. Your concerns should be taken seriously and evaluated. Image: Shutterstock. Its definitely possible it just takes more time and the weight loss is slower. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Mary Shomon is a writer and hormonal health and thyroid advocate. Taking a safe nascent iodine supplement may boost hair health and growth in the . I was exercising and my nutrition intake is organic most fruits, vegetables, meets grass fed etc. Free T4. New study findings show an association between the dose of a common treatment for hyperthyroidism and risk of death from solid cancers. I am 67 years old and just wonder how many years I may have either way. Radioactive iodine may also affect a woman's ovaries, and some women may have irregular periods for up to a year after treatment. Be wary of home-use products, and use recommended professional products for dye, highlights and conditioning. Then she said I would have to have iodine radiation if these pills didnt work. under the skin, like a vaccine) and the radioactive iodine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. 3 Anaphylaxis is a type of allergic reaction. 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. It really depends on whether or not your entire thyroid gland was destroyed. A single injection is given subcutaneously (i.e. Strange I know. Radioactive Iodine. For my surgery in April, I had a double whammy because a week prior to my surgery I had a molar tooth extracted with surgical dental sedation, and was still on a soft diet, so that was easy, they supplied me with baby food pureed fruits the entire time I was in the hospital. current snow totals midway airport,