Ultra sound for Graves' after 3 months PTU

[Guest guest]

Hi AJ,

I just have a general impression that an ultrasound can show nodules, both

cancerous and benign, which is useful to know. The uptake scan is supposedly

most helpful in calculating the dosage for RAI. The way to identify Graves' is

by the TSI antibody test.

I never had any of these diagnostic measures so I'm considering trying to get an

utrasound for myself (TSI would be nice, too). My guess is that being on PTU

would only make it easier to scan the thyroid as it should have become less

swollen.

Best wishes,

B.

My MD has ordered an ultra sound of my " normal sized " thyroid. I

was diagnosed with hyperthyroid " most probably due to Graves'

Disease " last June. I've taken PTU since late July...ever decreasing

the amount as the T's plummet. Presently taking 12.5 mg PTU daily.

I told him I'd prefer an ultra sound to a " scan " .

What does the ultra sound show?

How does PTU effect the outcome?

Will it still comfirm Graves' disease after all this time?

...or mostly the event of cancer?

Ever hopeful,

AJ

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your response, ,

The 131 RA uptake scan showed 36% last June. But I'm told the scan

doesn't show nodules. The lab report didn't even have the size of

my thyroid...no picture at all...only RAI dose and that my thryoid

accepted more iodine than " normal " .

But my thyroid has never been large. (My endo keeps calling it

large. Sigh!) Mayo Clinic and my GP both say my thyroid is

not " normal " for a Graves' Disease diagnosis because it feels

healthy/normal. Mayo suggested the more specific scan and my GP

thinks it is a good idea. So he and I agreed on the ultra sound.

I'd sure like a TSI too, but not likely. My endo says NO. MY GP

asked what a TSI is. (The best news about my GP is he has seen

remission!!! My endo never has. It is also good he even asks.)

I am feeling real discouraged right now. I can just feel the wave

of " down " around me. No wonder docs begin to make apts further

apart. I don't want to even take the energy to go see her and " arm

wrestle " about my treatment options.

Soon I am going south. I hope I just forget the whole thing because

we will have so much fun.

Difficulty being ever hopeful,

AJ

> Hi AJ,

>

> I just have a general impression that an ultrasound can show

nodules, both cancerous and benign, which is useful to know. The

uptake scan is supposedly most helpful in calculating the dosage for

RAI. The way to identify Graves' is by the TSI antibody test.

>

> I never had any of these diagnostic measures so I'm considering

trying to get an utrasound for myself (TSI would be nice, too). My

guess is that being on PTU would only make it easier to scan the

thyroid as it should have become less swollen.

>

> Best wishes,

> B.

> My MD has ordered an ultra sound of my " normal sized " thyroid.

I

> was diagnosed with hyperthyroid " most probably due to Graves'

> Disease " last June. I've taken PTU since late July...ever

decreasing

> the amount as the T's plummet. Presently taking 12.5 mg PTU

daily.

>

> I told him I'd prefer an ultra sound to a " scan " .

>

> What does the ultra sound show?

>

> How does PTU effect the outcome?

>

> Will it still comfirm Graves' disease after all this time?

>

> ...or mostly the event of cancer?

>

> Ever hopeful,

> AJ

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

AJ,

Try to not get too caught up in the doctors and their ignorance. Thank

goodness we have information that we can use to help ourselves. If you need

to get TSI done, then perhaps you can find another endo, or perhaps educate

your GP (since they asked). If your GP is open to learning, then that would

be convenient. You might want to bring one of Elaine's articles, or

something of that nature, that is concise yet convincing.

At 12:24 PM 11/20/2003, you wrote:

>thinks it is a good idea. So he and I agreed on the ultra sound.

>

>I'd sure like a TSI too, but not likely. My endo says NO. MY GP

>asked what a TSI is. (The best news about my GP is he has seen

>remission!!! My endo never has. It is also good he even asks.)

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I'm doing better this

evening. For the most part, I have kept my spirits up, but every

now and then it I need a day " off " .

The idea of taking an article with me is appealing. Which one would

you recommend? I'll take it to the endo. My GP won't cross her

territory.

Eventually, my GP has agreed to monitor me, but not yet. He seemed

surprised yesterday when I told him there was a time limit and my

endo would want to destroy my thyroid between next June and

December. He has other patients who have weaned successfully off

ATD's and another who he put back on them recently. The endo who

treated them has moved out of town and is teaching in a medical

school.

I delayed my PTU due to my doc apt yesterday and have a pulse a

little elevated today. 85 ...usually in 60's and 70's.. I can't

tell, since I've had LOW T'S for months if this is a little high

for " normal " . I've taken a little higher dose today and will watch

tomorrow.

My GP says it is good I check my BP and pulse regularly to see how

I'm doing. I thought BP and Pulse were a good monitor and was glad

to hear his opinion on that subject.

The conflict between all the different views of treatment is

confusing sometimes. How to know which way to go...!!!

I do blood work Tuesday and am very curious how it will come out. I

am trying to " learn " how to read my body before each blood draw.

I'm also hoping my T'S are a little higher, but still " Normal " .

Your brighten my day. Thanks,

Ever hopeful,

Al

> >thinks it is a good idea. So he and I agreed on the ultra sound.

> >

> >I'd sure like a TSI too, but not likely. My endo says NO. MY GP

> >asked what a TSI is. (The best news about my GP is he has seen

> >remission!!! My endo never has. It is also good he even asks.)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi AJ,

Glad I could help.

As for articles, Elaine has a bunch (Articles 1-40) on Suite 101:

http://www.suite101.com/articles.cfm/9630. Home page is at

http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/graves_disease, and one article on TSI

is at http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/graves_disease/98200. You can

search around for what you need. For those docs who balk at the Internet,

you can bring her book in and point to the part(s) you want them to read

during your appointment.

At 11:17 PM 11/20/2003, you wrote:

>,

>

>Thank you for your words of encouragement. I'm doing better this

>evening. For the most part, I have kept my spirits up, but every

>now and then it I need a day " off " .