Surgery or radioactive iodine?

[lucie1986]

I have a toxic nodule right lobe of my thyroid. I've reached to the point where i need surgery or radioactive iodine. My cousin had thyroid cancer last year. I am finding it hard to make a decision, which procedure is better choice long term?

[lucie1986]

Are you having weight issues? Or having a hard time finding the right dosage?

I would have a subtotal thyroidectomy, not the whole thing.

Thanks for the quick reply :)

[Red_Star]

Risk of permanent hypothyroidism:

Total thyroidectomy - 100%
RAI [radioactive iodine] therapy - 90%
Subtotal thyroidectomy - more than 70%

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Contraindications for RAI therapy are pregnancy [absolute], ophthalmopathy [relative - can aggravate thyroid eye disease], and solitary nodules

RAI therapy increases the life time risk of cancer including cancers of the blood system [leukemia], salivary gland, urinary system, gastrointestinal and others; risk of permanent saliva gland damage leading to a dry mouth and changes in taste; blood cell counts can be temporarily or permanently decreased; thyroid storm [rare].

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Thyroidectomy complications include bleeding; airway obstruction caused by bleeding; permanent hoarse or weak voice due to nerve damage [1 - 2%]; damage to the parathyroid glands causing hypoparathyroidism [temporary - approx 7%, permanent - rare]; thyroid storm [rare].

[lara1984]

i don t know about iodine but i know about thyroidectomy.i had last year and beleive  me its not easy to be without thyroid.