Did you Mom has RAI?? It could explain your thyroid problems...

March 10, 2005

(The following is an excerpt from a site which explores RAI and was

written by Elaine . My mother had RAI. Janie)

If you're thinking of becoming pregnant, you don't want to have RAI.

Recent studies show that chromosomal changes caused by radioiodine

can be passed to the next generation. Like DES and other hormonal

disruptors, the effects are stronger and more significant when

passed on to children, and often, these changes aren't evident for

30 years or so. Also, several recent studies show a slight but

significant risk of increased cancer mortality for several types of

cancer in patients who had RAI. I had RAI which I regret and now

have an atrophied pancreas. One study shows an increase of

pancreatic cancer after RAI.

Also, the antibodies which increase after RAI persist for years and

may be transferred to the fetus, causing transient thyroid problems.

Eleven years after RAI, I have high levels of thyroid antibodies and

mitochondrial antibodies. See Dr. Stoll's site for examples of what

happens when you don't address the underlying causes of

autoimmunity. Remember, the thyroid is the victim, not the cause.

You do, however, need to get your thyroid levels under control

before you become pregnant since there is a chance that your

symptoms will worsen in early pregnancy and in the postpartum

period. For the most part, pregnancy brings relief of symptoms since

there's immune system suppression.

ATD's can be used during pregnancy, but there is a slight risk of

fetal hypothyroidism, especially with Tapazole. If you can at least

lower your dose, it would help, and there are many things you can do

to help in this regard. Diet and stress reduction seem to be the

most important. Eat plenty of goitrogens, foods which act like ATD's

(cabbage, cauliflower, almonds, peaches, soy, peanuts, etc.) Reduce

your dairy, saturated fats, sugar, and iodine. GD is associated with

many nutrient deficiencies, particularly free fatty acids, vitamins

C, E, B, copper, magnesium, etc. See 's supplement list on

this site.

Stress reduction methods, either meditation, tai chi, or yoga and

energy healing, like acupuncture, etc. are all of great value.

Sometimes, though, there's lots of stress involved with trying to

get everything right. Then, surgery is a viable option if your

symptoms seem to be life threatening.

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