I-131 THERAPY FOR PRIMARY HYPERTHYROIDISM

INDICATIONS:

Treatment of primary hyperthyroidism (Graves disease).

Treatment of hyperthyroidism secondary to autonomous functioning nodule(s).

PATIENT PREPARATION:

1. The patient must not have taken antithyroid medications, e.g. propylthiouracil (PTU), for at least one week.
2. The patient's iodine pool must be low or normal:

No iodinated radiographic contrast materials for approximately 3 weeks.

No food or vitamin sources with large amounts of iodine.

3. The nuclear medicine physician explains the expected benefits and possible complications of the procedure.

4. The nuclear medicine physician obtains informed consent.

RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL:

1. I-131 is given orally as sodium iodide.
2. Dose: 3-29 mCi depending on gland size, uptake values, and therapeutic strategy.

PROCEDURE TIME:

20 minutes.

FOLLOW-UP:

1. The patient returns to the care of the referring physician.
2. If the patient does not become euthyroid in approximately 3-4 months, the patient may be retreated with I-131.