Surgery it is...

I have had an increase in symptoms lately and have come to the conclusion that I am playing with fire.

The Endocrinologist said she is not OK with me waiting until September (risk of congestive heart failure and worsening symptoms of hyperthyroid making surgery and RAI more complicated)

I really went back and forth between RAI (radioactive iodine) and Surgery..but it seems that longer-term surgery is the best bet (even though my doc thinks I am a good candidate for RAI)

The surgery is scheduled for July 9th... I will enjoy 4th of July weekend and then off I go to Mount Sinai....It is a 2-3 hour surgery and 24 hours in the hospital afterwards (to absorb calcium levels from parathyroids which can be affected during surgery)

Wish me luck...

As for what happens after - I will immediately go on Synthroid and stay on that for the rest of my life.  If I don't take it, I will be hypothyroid which has another set of issues that goes along with it.

I want to explore the homeopathic route as well - this disease is an auto-immune disease and my thyroid just happens to be the target (not the real issue), so I want to work at healing my body so it doesn't do these crazy things again... I am still staying gluten-free (because it actually makes me feel better) and seeing what homeopathic Dr's suggest to make me feel better..

I will keep you all posted...

Back to square 1

My "good news" was short lived..

The reason I had a "good" blood test was because I was taking iodine (to prepare for surgery)...  Apparently it lowers the levels temporarily, but doesn't work long-term.

I took a blood test this past Friday (two weeks after my "good" blood test) and my levels are even worse than they were in April and my liver enzymes are back up...My Endo is uncomfortable with me waiting until September..

To be honest, I do feel a little different.  More jumpy...More anxious...More "out of it"..

I am also reconsidering surgery vs. radioactive iodine.  The endo is really positive about radioactive iodine.  She said they do a study to see how your thyroid metabolizes and then they base the dose on that...  She said it is very little - not the same as totally removing your thyroid.

The plus side is there is a small chance (20%) I don't go hypothyroid and it is less intrusive...

Right now I am actually leaning towards RAI.

I feel like I am really flip-flopping on this decision..but it is a pretty serious one...