Assessment of Iodine 131 Treatment for Hyperthyroidism

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to study the outcome of treatment of hyperthyroidism with radioactive iodine (RAI). The study population was 55 patients come to Radiation and isotopes center of Khartoum with hyperthyroidism during 2013-2015. Data of measurements of thyroid uptake before treatment, and determination of thyroid hormones before and after Iodine-131 therapy were taken. Over a period of 2-3 months of follow up 46 of patients (84%) respond to RAI therapy, and showed marked decrease in thyroid hormones. The mean level of TSH, T3, T4 before RAI treatment were 0.2IU/ml, 5.55nmol/l and 180nmol/l respectively, while the mean level after treatment (2-3 months later) was 2.31IU/ml,2.24nmol/l and 107nmol/l respectively. Normal TSH values (0.27-4.2IU/ml), the normal T3 values (1-3.3 nmol/l) and the normal T4 values (55-177nmol/l) and the mean thyroid uptake level before RAI treatment was 18.29%, while the normal uptake value was (.4-4%) which indicates hyperthyroidism. The mean RAI dose given to the patients was 14.7mCi. And the dose ranged from (8-30)mCi. During 2-3 month follow-up after RAI therapy, only 9 patients (16.4%) from the total number of patients showed no response to RAI therapy. During 3-6 months follow-up only 5 patients (9%) from the total number of patients need further RAI dose,7 patients (12.7%) were supported with anti-thyroid drugs and 9 patients(16.4%) from the total population showed hypothyroidism. during one year follow-up 7 patients (13%)suffered from hypothyroidism as a side effect of RAI therapy.