Iodine-131 therapy for hyperthyroidism prescribed by endocrinologist - our preliminary experience

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Thyroidology

Background:

• Radioiodine (I-131) therapy is a key treatment for hyperthyroidism when medical management fails.
• Traditionally, nuclear physicians prescribe I-131, but endocrinologists are increasingly recognized for their expertise in individualized dosing.
• This study explores the efficacy of endocrinologist-directed I-131 therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of I-131 ablation therapy prescribed by endocrinologists for hyperthyroidism.
• To compare the success rates of endocrinologist-directed versus traditional nuclear physician-directed I-131 therapy.

Main Methods:

• A pilot prospective study involving 80 hyperthyroid patients.
• I-131 doses were prescribed by endocrinologists, primarily based on thyroid volume with adjustments for adverse factors.
• Therapeutic success was defined as achieving hypothyroidism or euthyroidism after a single dose.

Main Results:

• High success rates were observed: 95.9% for Graves' disease (GD) and 85.7% for toxic nodular goitre (TNG) or toxic adenomas (AFTN).
• Over 50% of patients achieved hypothyroidism within three months, and two-thirds within six months post-therapy.
• Endocrinologist-directed therapy demonstrated favorable outcomes after a single I-131 dose.

Conclusions:

• Endocrinologist-directed I-131 therapy achieves success rates exceeding 95% with a single dose.
• These outcomes are comparable to those achieved with nuclear physician-directed I-131 therapy.
• Endocrinologists are competent in prescribing individualized I-131 doses for thyroid disorders.