I have a question and hopefully someone can answer. I was diagnosed in 2000 with hypo and began synthroid. I currently am not taking it anymore. My doc seems to think I need to go back on it because of symptoms but all my levels are coming back normal and the ultrasound was normal also. The doc wants to do an uptake (I have no idea what this is). Could someone tell me what this entails and I am beginning to wonder if I really ever had hypo!!! Thanks for any info!!!! I have learned so much from this board... Kudos to all of you!!!
I have been on Synthroid for 26years and plan to be on it,or some other, for the rest of my life. I don't stop it for any reason! The radioactive iodine uptake test determines how hungry the thyroid is for iodine.This is done more for Hyper-T.This is not done for Hypo-T, blood test are required. This info is from"The Thyroid Sourcebook" by Rosenthal.I don't see how anyone could have the symptoms of Hypo-T and not know what it is http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/hammer.gifWell,other than the doctors,that is! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif
The uptake you are talking about is RAIU(Radioiodine uptake)
Here is a very simple explanation of what RAIU is:
They give you radioactive iodine so that it 's collected to your thyroid and after a few hours they take a picture of your thyroid.
On this picture they can see the concentration of the iodine on the different areas of your thyroid and thus make a diagnosis of a thyroid dissorder.
As for your doc the symptoms etc...
what exactly are your symptoms ??
Do they have changed from the original ones you had 2 years ago??
And of course ....blood tests ...it's impossible for anyone to give you any advice or write some thoughts without the numbers of your blood tests..
GET the numbers ..post them so that somebody can say his opinion on your matter.
And i dont get this thing ...of docs not saying to patients the numbers of the blood tests...it's unbelievable...i hope you get the numbers and post them.
Oh and if i were you i would ask a second opinion from a doc who would talk with me more time and would have the time to explain and answer to me any question that i would have.
------------------
That which does not kill us makes us stronger.
__________________
That which does not kill us makes us stronger.
I had this test back in 1994 I think. my report says "radionuclide thyroid scan and uptake". If I remember correctly, I had to take a pill...the iodine..and come back to the hospital the next day and this xray type machine was pointed at my neck while I had to sit with my head back and remain very still while it scanned my thyroid glad. Basically, my report stated that there was "abnormally low uptake of less than 1%...expected normal range 10-30%. Imaging demonstrates no visible uptake of radiopharmaceutical by the thyroid gland. Ultrasound demonstrates that the gland is small. Findings suggest acute superimposed on chronic thyroiditis." I've been on thyroid medicine ever since for hypo. The test was painless.
I wish I had a doc like yours! I have so many symptoms, but normal blood tests(I've confirmed the values as such). I can't get my doc to put me back on Synthroid. I have been off meds (doc's orders due to lab values) for 3 years now. I had success w/ Synthroid for 6 yrs. Why don't you want the meds? The crap I've been feeling for the past few years is so much worse than having to take a little pill a day.
You know I am beginning to wonder if I ever really had hypo. The doc did put me back on Synthroid 100 mcg and when my tests came back fine he took me off of it. The thryoid ultrasound came back fine also. I, too felt better on the med but now he won't put me back on it until we found out what is going on. He is currently on vacation so I can't post my levels because no one is in the office. He wants to schedule an uptake as soon as he gets back. I feel like I am going crazy!!! I can't get enough sleep and don't have energy to do a thing. Hopefully we can all get everything lined out and feel better soon!!!
I think i said my opinion before on your matter...change doc m8
Your doc will have you take a RAIU without even say to you your blood levels or discuss your prob with you.
Docs who do not speak with their patients and they just give orders/tests/medication are not worth your money or your time.
Docs have to speak and discuss with their patients all the time
------------------
That which does not kill us makes us stronger.
__________________
That which does not kill us makes us stronger.
has this happened to anyone else? 
I have been on Synthroid for 26years and plan to be on it,or some other, for the rest of my life. I don't stop it for any reason! The radioactive iodine uptake test determines how hungry the thyroid is for iodine.This is done more for Hyper-T.This is not done for Hypo-T, blood test are required. This info is from"The Thyroid Sourcebook" by Rosenthal.I don't see how anyone could have the symptoms of Hypo-T and not know what it is 
