really necessary to stop PTU before uptake scan?

June 28, 2003

Hi, I've been reading this board for awhile and I am currently

reading Elaine's book. I still have so many questions and I am not

even sure where to start... it's a long story. Most recently, went

to endo #2 who stopped my PTU completely so that he can do an uptake

scan. It's the usual story, I'm trying to find an endo who will

support my decision to try meds first. (Endo #2 is also angry that I

will not have RAI.) I had been taking 400mg PTU daily since April

7th, when I stopped last week per his instructions, it was 10.5 weeks

on 400mg/day. I was susposed to stop for 10 days and then start

again at 100mg/day. I was nervous about stopping so suddenly so i

took one PTU on days 1 and 2 of my " stop " days. Then, my

palpitations were so bad this week that I took another one on the

26th because i could not get in touch with endo #2. Now, I have been

told that I must completely stop the PTU for 10 consecutive days

before I can have the uptake scan and that even one pill will

interefere. I'm not sure how to get my question into the right

words... is this doctor trying to kill me? LOL - no, that's not the

real question. I am concerned about thyroid storm and I would like

to know how long is it safe to be off of the PTU? If I have to wait

for another 10 days from the 27th, that will be 18 days w/o PTU. I

don't feel too good.

I am normally very " in-tune " with my body but I can no longer " feel "

what I am as I could before. I knew when I was hypo, besides the

sudden weight gain, I felt differently. Now, I feel really different

but I cannot figure out which.

I am so confused.

Thanks for your understanding and for any help.

Sincerely,

Lucy

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