Three months ago I swallowed a little radioactive iodine pill. I did this because my hyperactive thyroid would not behave. Time to share a progress update!
I had no negative initial responses to the treatment at all, which was great (refer to the first link above for details). I did have a bit of a roller-coaster time though for a few weeks, as between the time I stopped my usual medication and the point where the radioactive iodine started to do it’s job, my thyroid took the attitude of “Free at last! Now I can do as I like!”. And it did. I do stress, every case is different – this is my personal experience and may not apply to anyone else.
Initial Reactions
Initially, I was pretty OK. By the time I had been off my usual medication for three weeks, though, I was not so physically fit! Remembering too, that my thyroid was already being naughty before I went off the medication, which I had delayed because I was attending the Pain Management Centre – so Ms Thyroid was already champing at the bit to let loose!
Prior to this change of treatment I had been building up my weights, slowly but surely. My target at the time for my leg press was 160 kg, I was sitting on 140 kg. No, not 1RM (one repetition max), that was sets. An amusing aside: a co-worker half my age and as healthy as had recently started a new training regime. We were chatting and I happened to mention the 140 kg. Knowing my medical challenges and age and gender he stared at me.
“That’s your 1RM, you mean?”
“No, three sets, ten reps. My normal. I’m aiming for 160 kg”, I replied.
“I’m lifting 140 kg”, he said, sounding somewhat demoralised.
He took that situation as inspiration and I believe his 1RM is now 275 kg. I don’t train him (he is healthy, doesn’t qualify!) but I’m glad I had a small part in spurring him on to greater heights!
Up to Two Months
Back to the topic at hand, my Ms Thyroid. My epsiodes of feeling I was going to pass out and having to lie down were becoming more frequent. I felt unwell all the time. A call to my endocrinologist and I was put back on my medication at half strength for seven weeks. Even so, when I hit the gym, I was made acutely aware my muscles were suffering. I did my usual, loading 100 kg onto the leg press for a warm-up set. I could not move the plate. Not an inch. Took 20 kg off (which meant simply removing the 10 kg weights, I clearly wasn’t going to be adding any more). 80 kg I could lift. That was a 60 kg loss. We won’t even talk about leg extensions – that was equally depressing.
It wasn’t just the weights. I had been swimming 1 km sessions. No, for healthy people that isn’t a lot, but I have to watch my shoulders. I had to stop at 500 metres. Just no oomph to keep going and I am very, very cognisant of the Boom/Bust cycle – to be avoided at all costs!
Third Month – 70% increase!
Never fear! All is not lost! It gets better!
At the two month mark I had the usual follow-up blood tests and consultation with my endocrinologist. Bloods were in the normal range and I stopped taking the medication at that point.
Shortly after that, so within the last four weeks, I got back up to my 140 kg leg press. For the last two weeks I have done 160 kg. so I have recovered my 60 kg regression and gained extra!
After that I celebrated. Yes, I had a protein shake as well, but the fresh fruit salad tasted wonderful!
My swim is also not a problem.
At this particular point I have increased my overall activity levels by 70% from where I was prior to the radioactive iodine treatment.
Before the radioactive treatment, working in an office three days and then one whole body strength workout a week and one swim, plus stretching and walking daily, was the limit of my physical activity without heading into a boom/bust cycle.
For the last three weeks I have done two strength workouts and two swims per week. I’ve dropped the duration of each session and am slowly building each back up. My aim is to double what I was doing. 30% to go!
My pre-treatment strength session was 60 minutes. I dropped it to 40 minutes, but did two sessions. I’m now up to two session of 50 minutes. I dropped my swimming to 700 metres, but did two a week instead of one session of 1 km. Now I am at one session of 900 metres and one of 800 metres.
My hair isn’t falling out and I am sleeping better. All great stuff!
I’m a very happy little Vegemite. For overseas readers, Vegemite is something we eat. Americans all hate it!
Prognosis
Some patients who undergo radioactive iodine treatment for hyperactive thyroid ultimately become under active – i.e. hypothyroidism. That is not expected to happen with me, which I am very happy about, but equally I am aware it could happen.
The full effects of radioactive iodine treatment materialise, generally, between the three and six month mark of swallowing that little pill. Therefore I don’t know if I can expect more improvements or if I’m maxed out at this point. I am feeling great, so if this is it, I’m happy.
I am finding I have to watch my weight more carefully. Then again, I have been socialising more than I used to because I feel so much better and have more energy. Also given my increase in strength training, there will be some body composition changes happening. I’m monitoring, not panicking. Yet. My clothes still fit!
Summary
I am very happy with the results. Apart from the short crappy period described above, the whole process was relatively straightforward, painless and easy.
If your endocrinologist recommends radioactive iodine treatment for you, based on my personal experience it is a good treatment option.
Every case is different and you should always listen carefully to your medical professionals.
Limberation 
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