What is Grave's Disease (GD)? Who gets GD? GD in Chilhood/Pregnancy Symptoms Laboratory Tests Treatment Options Alternative Med Radioiodine Ablation Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Graves' Ophthalmopathy aka Thyroid Eye Disease Subclinical Hyperthyroidism Subclinical Hypothyroidism Hashitoxicosis Goiter Lymphoma Other Autoimmune Diseases Environmental Causes Nutrient Deficiencies Provocative Links Favorite Links My Graves Disease Book My Articles on Suite 101 Sign My Guest Book View My Guest Book Contact Me About Me

Radioiodine Ablation RAI was first used to treat hyperthyroidism in the 1950's. Recent long-term studies show that RAI causes an increased risk of thyroid and small bowel cancers. Why is RAI still used most often to treat GD? Because it's the least expensive method, requiring few follow-up visits...only annual checkups for the resulting hypothyroidism. Radioiodine, usually I-131 taken orally, works by destroying thyroid cells, thereby reducing the amount of thyroid tissue capable of producing and releasing thyroid hormone. However, the thyroid is the victim in GD, not the cause. An immune system defect is responsible for symptoms in GD. Radioiodine can damage your salivary glands, causing symptoms much like those in Sjogren's syndrome. RAI can also damage your parathyroid glands. RAI is also known to trigger fibromyalgia. Learn all about radioiodine at Suite 101 Long-Term Effects of Radioiodine Effects of Radioiodine Health Effects of Radiation Yahoo Atomicwomen's Site Join atomicwomen at e-groups for the latest nuclear news Read how RAI cheated this woman of her health: Widebertha's Diary Thyroid cancer risk and RAI rai@egroups,Pro-RAI information site Post Cherbonyl Changes in Wheat Crops The latest on radiation induced mutations "Diagnosed with GD, I was told that I could suddenly go into thyroid storm. Now I know better, but then I rushed into having RAI ablation. For people with severe symptoms who are allergic to ATD's and who are surgical risks, RAI may be the only option. For me, it was the worst decision I've ever made. I'm now hypothyroid and I have pretibial myxedema. RAI affects other organs besides the thyroid. ATD's are capable of achieving remission in >90% of GD patients. Many people with mild to moderate symptoms have been successfully treated with alternative medicine." - Elaine Moore This site is for educational purposes only and is not intented as a substitute for medical treatment. This is a private site. Visitor information is not shared with any other groups or organizations. Copyright 2004, Elaine Moore.