My conclusions on this discussion - RAI and studies

[Guest guest]

FWIW.

I'm a bit puzzled, maybe disconcerted, by the tone of some of the recent

postings (and I won't quote lines or say who because thankfully I have

been blessed with a mind like a steel sieve so it's all a bit fuzzy

already).

I was going through some files of postings and information I've gleaned

from this list and reread a long message from someone else who had RAI

last year after doing a lot more research than the average bear and I

found that he and Liang had a few things in common:

- they are both scientists and had extensive knowledge about

radioactivity, access to scientific and medical sources, and the brain

power to do the research and draw reasonable conclusions. Most laypeople

aren't in this position.

- they are both men and have less than women to worry about when it comes

to being hypo (infertility [which may actually be an issue for men too, I

have no idea], PCOS, etc.).

- based on their extensive research, while they felt that the long-term

risks were negligible they still took EXTENSIVE precautions that they

were not told were necessary, but which they were convinced were in fact

necessary.

I've pretty much said this before this week but want to recap for the

benefit of Cindy from MI and other newbies who are trying to assimilate

everything:

Far too many doctors will not give their patients adequate information to

make an informed decision. As we've seen from testimonials from members

of this group (testimonials aren't scientific but I've been around this

group and others too long not to take them seriously) for some

inexplicable reason endocrinologists are able to get away with profoundly

sloppy work..

As Liang said, of course it's preferable to have an intact thyroid, and

some of the studies he's shared with the group agreed (IIRC it was the

one from Spain). ATDs are probably the best, most straightforward, and

most likely to be covered by insurance (as opposed to alternative

medicine) way to go. A few months on ATDs will buy you time to do the

research and if properly administered will likely lead you to opt for

them as the treatment choice.

Key areas of research are:

- learning how ATDs are best administered and monitored to maximize the

possibility of success

- grilling your endo and radiologist about post-RAI precautions, and not

at the last minute. If either are dismissive of this stage I think it's

likely they will not be the best messengers to bring about your healing.

- grilling your endo about how s/he treats and monitors hypothyroid

patients.

The last two areas may not be necessary for someone who rejects RAI

outright. They are crucial for someone considering RAI, or who just

wonders if all that we've been saying is true, or if this list is made up

of several hundred neurotic/paranoid people. Really. GD messes up our

heads enough that being confronted with the reality of endocrinology as

practiced in the 21st. century can make anyone suspect his/her sanity,

especially people who've been raised to have absolute trust in their

medical practitioners.

All this just my $.02 and food for thought. Take care, Fay

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