total thyroidectomy and Rai

[TiagoMontana]

Hello lovely people, last year I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and I had a total thyroidectomy followed by Rai treatment 8 months ago. My question is, is it okay to go back to diving. Thank you in advance for your help

 

[JMBL]

Hi,

I can give you half an answer : my thyroid was removed in 2000, not for cancer though. The medical advice was : wait until your treatment with levothyroxine is settled and you'll be ok to dive.

Your personal physician should be be able to help you with the answer to your question, or refer you to a specialist, if he's out of his depths.

Hope it helped.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Hello lovely people, last year I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and I had a total thyroidectomy followed by Rai treatment 8 months ago. My question is, is it okay to go back to diving. Thank you in advance for your help

The general answer is that there's nothing that would prevent an otherwise healthy individual who's had a thyroidectomy, has not experienced any complications, and is stable on medication (if needed) as @JMBL pointed out, from diving. As far as whether you specifically can return to diving and if so when, that's something best discussed with the surgeon who is following your case.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Doctorfish]

In general, if you completed your treatment 8 months ago, there were no surgical complications, and your thyroid hormone level is where it should be ( TSH suppressed after thyroid cancer surgery ) it should absolutely be safe to return to diving.

P.S. I happen to be an Endocrine Surgeon

 

[TiagoMontana]

Thank you very much for your reply I really appreciate it