|
|
THE WELLNESS BLOG |
|
Welcome to the Elaine Moore Wellness Blog. It focuses on autoimmune and related diseases, with special emphasis on autoimmune thyroid disorders, and includes the latest alternative and conventional research, diagnostic, and treatment news. My goal in writing this blog is to educate and empower patients and help them on their road to healing.
All blogs written & copyrighted by Elaine Moore © 2011 |
|
Arterial Embolization for Graves' Disease
Oct
22
Written by:
10/22/2008
I recently heard from a patient who had arterial embolization for Graves’ disease performed in China by Dr. Xhou earlier this month. In 2007, Dr. Xhou published a study in which twenty-eight patients with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease were enrolled to undergo thyroid arterial embolization and followed up for 12-22 months.
In the study, twenty-two patients had three thyroid arteries embolized and six patients two arteries. Serum thyroid hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and autoimmune function were tested before and after embolization in all patients.
RESULTS: Of 28 patients, 22 (78.6%) became euthyroid, five improved (17.8%), and one had temporary improvement followed by recurrence (3.6%). No serious complications occurred. Compared with the pre-embolization values, serum concentrations of thyroid hormone increased temporarily on day 3 post-embolization, dropped substantially after 1 and 2 months, and returned to nearly normal at 6 and 12 months post-embolization.
TSH dropped on day 3, increased after 1 and 2 months, and returned to normal after 6 and 12 months. Thyroid antibodies TGAb and TPOAb declined on day 3 to normal range, rose after 1 month, dropped to normal again after 2 months, and were slightly increased at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Unfortunately, TSI levels weren't measured.
The patient I heard from is the first American to have had this procedure done. She reported that Dr. Xhou is willing to train other physicians in this procedure, which is currently not approved for use in the United States. She is also willing to answer questions from other patients.
6 comment(s) so far...
Elaine, this is fascinating. It's too bad that they didn't measure TSI and/or TRAb as a baseline with follow-up. I assume when they say in Months 6-12 that the slight increases in TPOAb didn't exceed their baseline TPOAb. That wasn't clear to me. In any event, I'm really curious about this and hope there will be further follow-ups on how these patients do over time. The most remarkable things is TSH returning to normal after 6-12 months. Can I assume that all of them were off other treatments post-op (ATDs, etc.)?
By Valerie on
10/27/2008
|
Hi Valerie,
The patients were off all other treatments in this study.
The lady who had the procedure done in China gave me some really good information and I plan to write an article on the topic later this week. She said Dr. Xhou would really like to come to the U.S. and teach others how to do this procedure. In her case, she couldn't tolerate meds and her hyperthyroidism was too severe to consider more aggressive therapies. She said the procedure's value is in people like her who can't use meds to achieve remission. Her email is [email protected] and she's willing to tell her story to others with an interest.
Total cost of the procedure and hospital stay was $7,000 and she's still working with her insurance company to see what part would be covered.
I agree that TSI or TRAb are needed to see if there's sufficient reduction to offset the risk of developing TED. It would be good too to see long-term effects. I'll contact Dr. Xhou to see what follow-ups there have been since the study. You might want to interview the patient for an AHSTA column.
By emoore on
10/27/2008
|
Hi Bredia,
I'm not a doctor. I'm a medical technologist and I should have paid more attention to what I was having done when I consented to having RAI. That really was the worst decision I've ever made.
You're absolutely right that it makes no sense to destroy a perfectly good organ, especially when RAI worsens the immune system problem. Keep us posted with your outcome. It sounds like you have a great handle on things. Best to you, Elaine
By emoore on
11/3/2008
|
Elaine,
I've made a note of the vstella address for a possible interview. Maybe we can combine a live patient interview with some medical insights from Dr. Xhou.
Valerie
By admin on
11/12/2008
|
Hi Bredia,
The stress of bereavement is known to trigger and worsen symptoms in Graves' disease. I sympathize with your loss. Hopefully your doctor will increase your ATD dose temporarily. Best, Elaine
By emoore on
11/18/2008
|
Hi Valerie,
That's a great idea to interview Ms. Stella for AHSTA.com. It would be wonderful if Dr. Xhou found a connection where he could train doctors at a medical center here. He trained a team in Canada, but when the radiologist retired there was no one trained to take over that role. Keep us posted, Elaine
By emoore on
11/18/2008
|
|
|
|
TO USERS: Comments made to blogs are moderated by Elaine Moore and are visible to all readers. All comments by default are not to be considered that of medical professionals unless otherwise indicated. Users must provide information which is true and correct to the best of their knowledge as well as provide sources or references to any health / medical information if not taken from personal experience. All users including the moderator must behave at all times with respect and honesty. The moderator or site administrator has the right to ban users with or without warning for not following the basic rules of this site. As sole moderator, Moore has no conflicts of interest in the sponsorship of this blog.
|
|
HOME | ARTICLES | BOOKS | BLOG | Q&A | RESOURCES | ABOUT | CONTACT | SUPPORT
ELAINE-MOORE.COM
Elaine Moore Graves’ Disease and Autoimmune Disease Education
Copyright © 2008-2011 by Elaine Moore. All Rights Reserved.
These pages and their content, including all articles and images are not to be copied, reproduced or printed without written permission. All articles are copyrighted. All images are copyrighted or licensed to use.
SITE LAST UPDATED: MAR 10 2012
ABOUT THIS SITE
This site is self-funded exclusively by Elaine Moore. Moore has no other external sources of funds and receives no monies from government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, Amazon, or other commercial entities to operate this site. There are no conflicts of interest in the operation of this site.
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
DISCLAIMER
The information at this site is true and correct to the extent that all information contained herein about the benefits or performance of any diagnostic or treatment are backed up with scientific evidence such as medical journals, reports, articles, and other relevant materials.The educational information provided within is designed to help users better understand the nature of disease and the solutions available. Nothing contained on this website should be construed as or is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Under no circumstances is a particular treatment recommended and in all cases it is recommended that a physician be consulted for any treatments. Reference to any specific commercial or noncommercial products, services, processes, companies or trademarks does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Elaine Moore does not host any form of commercial advertisement, does not sponsor or endorse any products or services that may have been mentioned at the site. This excludes mention of her own copyrighted materials, articles, and books. The opinions, views and recommendations of individual registered members of this website, specifically as it pertains to personal inquiries at the Q&A forum or comments made to blogs, are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Elaine Moore.
|
|
 |
|
|
|