Every case is different as with any type of cancer. Doctors don't know why some patients do well and others with even a seemingly low risk cancer have recurrences and don't necessarily do well. With thyroid cancers a lot of factors are taken into consideration such as age, gender, size of tumor, and whether contained or not, just a few prognostic values in determining treatment and follow up. I'm still confused on the actual blood values they are looking for. I do know that they want to keep our levels slightly on the hyper side so the body doesn't try to produce thyroid hormone. I had my blood work done before I went away but won't know what my numbers indicate until next week. Depending on those numbers, however, I may or may not need a second course of RAI, only this time he did mention thyrogen as a means to get levels ready for treatment. As I learn more about the actual numbers I'll pass it on. If you are cancer free as per your scans, tests and blood values you can consider yourself cured but must be followed because there is a likely hood of recurrence with some patients but as long as it is contained within the neck area you can continue to do well. Best of luck to all of you!