Radioactive Iodine & Ovarian Failure: A Possible Link?

Question
I am 27 years old. In Jan 2005 I was diagnosed with Graves disease and treated with radioactive iodine the following month.  I became hypothyroid a month later and have been taking Levothyroxin since.  In early to summer of 2006 I began skipping periods.  I eventually went 3-4 months without a period and went to my doctor.  My FSH was tested three times and was consistenly high (60s-80s).  I was diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure in 2007.  
I have read about RAI and POF extensively. In some articles it says that ovarian failure is rare after RAI treatment and some say it isn't associated.  Is there any correlation between the two at all?? could the RAI treatment have contributed to my ovaries failing??

Answer
Dear Michelle,

There is no correlation between Radioactive iodine and premature ovarian failure.  However, Grave's disease and POF may be related.  Some think that it is caused by auto-antibodies against the ovary.  These are antibodies that you produce that are targeting the ovaries.  It is an immune type phenomenon.  The same may be the case with Grave's disease.  At this point, no one really knows what the etiology of POF is.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Edward J. Ramirez, M.D.
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF program
www.montereybayivf.com