Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Thyroglobulin positive after thyroidectomy

2005 had a complete thyroidectomy, yearly scans have been negative but thyrodeglobulin level is positive.  Have already had two years of treatment and still testing positive?  What next?  
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
158939 tn?1274915197
PET scans are not very effective scans for the two most prevalent types of thyroid cancer (papillary and follicular).  They just don't detect the small size of the cancers well.  

Thyroid tissue absorbs iodine much more effectively than the glucose-based radiation that a PET scan uses.   Your followup scans should be I-123 or (less desirable) I-131 scans and if a recurrence is detected a large "treatment" dose of I-131.  Based on your thyroglobulin numbers you need to talk to your endo about another "treatment" dose of I-131.
Helpful - 0
1218568 tn?1266625321
I just had a negative PET scan result after a TT last February and RAI in June.  My thyroglobulin levels 2 weeks ago were 4.9 and last week they were 6.6 and we just took them again with Thyrogin injections so we'll see what the actual numbers are next week.  Did you have a positive PET scan or did your endo just diagnose your recurrence because of the rise in your thyroglobulin?  What was your course of treatment?  Thanks so much in advance for your thoughts!
Helpful - 0
158939 tn?1274915197
According to my endo (who specializes in thyroid disorders), it's not the number but the trend in the numbers on the thyroglobulin that are worrisome - as long as everything stays below "7".    My recurrence was found from my thyroglobulin going from 1.7 to 2.1 to 3.9 to 5.2 over the course of about 8 months and -- sure enough -- I had a cancer recurrence.   It's all in watching the trend.    I always show "positive" at a level of around 2 now and we just watch to make sure that there is no increase in the trend.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community

Top Thyroid Answerers
649848 tn?1534633700
FL
Avatar universal
MI
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.