The next step

[Guest guest]

Well, I have been on the vitamin regimen for about 4 months now with

some improvement but my hormone levels are still high and my goiter is

still clearly visible. In addition I have been on PTU (12 x 50mg per

day) for almost a year. My symptoms are virtually gone as compared to

before my diagnosis as hyperT (because of PTU). Predictably, my endo is

adamant about the RAI treatment. The scan revealed that my thyroid is

quite large, 200 grams. I also tried the CMO treatment that some of you

may have heard of and it doesn't appear to have had any effect. Other

than the thyroid, my health is excellent (if that makes any sense). I

have some questions that the group maybe able to help me with:

1. Given that I have a high degree of self-discipline and I am willing

to do just about anything to cure this disease, do you think it is at

all possible to achieve a remission w/o RAI given the advanced state

of the disease?

2. Would it be worthwhile to see a alternative practitioner and does

anyone know one in the San , CA area?

3. Should I try herb therapy and are there any sources which outline

which herbs should be taken?

I almost underwent RAI, but changed my mind at the last minute. These

are the things that concern me about RAI (let me know if my reasoning

here is valid despite it's extreme simplicity):

1. I just don't believe that the radiation damage can be completely

isolated to the thyroid. I don't know how long the radioactive iodine

is present in the bloodstream, but obviously some is going to be picked

up by other organs while it is present and those cells will suffer

damage also. Granted in a healthy person that cell damage will be

repaired, but this nevertheless must be an enormous stress on the

immune system (especially considering that I would have to undergo 2 or

3 rounds!)

2. I am aware of the studies regarding RAI and cancer, but how healthy

are post RAI patients in general throughout their life? Are they more

likely to contract other auto-immune diseases? An in-law of mine lost

his kidney shortly after RAI. I realize there's now way to prove cause

and effect here but frankly it scares the hell out of me.

Thanks for the support,