Thyroid Scan

[KellyWilson]

I just had a Nuclear Scan on my thyroid where I took 2 pills of I-123 Iodine and my results were zero uptake on both scans.

What does that mean? I know its not normal, way below in fact.

I have hypothyrodism.

[KellyWilson]

Yes I am on thyroid meds and the Endocrinologist has set the dose and the kind of thyroid meds I have been on for years because for the nuclear scan I had to stop taking the thyroid meds for 4 weeks in order for them to perform the test the nuclear dept said. Now I am just back on the meds and it will likely take two or more weeks for me to get back to normal levels. Aaaaa I long for a normal thyroid levels LOL.

[Barb135]

I don't know if the radiation is a factor in thyroid cancer or not; however, cancer is something that we can never predict. I've never had cancer, but am well aware of the fact that it can pop up at any time.

I think the most important thing is to get your thyroid levels right.  Are you on thyroid medication?  If so, which med, at what dose?

[KellyWilson]

Yes I have been diagnosed with Hashimotos. In fact almost everyone on my mothers side of the family has been diagnosed with Hashimotos including the men.

Thanks for your response. It helps to clear some things up.

So do believe that I can still get cancer of the thyroid because I had radiation to the brain when I had Leukemia when I was young and I have had 4 basal cell carcinomas removed from my head and neck. I believe I have two more spots that need to be removed and I'm afraid that the radiation might one day be a factor in thyroid cancer.

[Barb135]

Yes, a thyroid that no longer produces hormones (dead) could have thyroiditis, which is simply inflammation, not a virus infection.  

We believe my thyroid be, basically, dead, too, But I still get bouts of inflammation (i.e thyroiditis) from the Hashimoto's.  

Do you know if you have Hashimoto's?  

[KellyWilson]

Do you think that a dead thyroid can have thyroiditis a virus infection? Because that's what my Endocrinologist believes is on my right hand side. Like I said when I push on it it hurts.

[KellyWilson]

My doctor thought I might have a cyst on my thyroid because it hurt when I pressed on the right hand side of it.

Thanks for the info. I think you are correct.

[Barb135]

I'm not an expert on Nuclear Scans, but I'd say that pretty well indicates that your thyroid is basically dead.

What prompted the scan?