1. How to prepare.
2. How to take any necessary radiation safety precautions.
3. When to stop taking anti-thyroid medications.
4. Please inform your doctor if there's a possibility you are pregnant or if  you are breast feeding nursing mother.
5. Discuss any recent illnesses, medical or surgical conditions, allergies and medications you're taking.

Radio-iodine Therapy:-

Radioactive Iodine (RAI) can be used for the treatment of overactive thyroid (Hyperthyroidism) and certain types of thyroid cancer (Differentiated carcinoma of thyroid - papillary and follicular). The term “radioactive” may sound frightening, but it is a safe, generally well-tolerated, and reliable treatment that targets thyroid cells so there is little exposure to the rest of the body’s cells.

What is hyperthyroidism ?

The  thyroid gland , located at the front of your neck, makes hormones that control your metabolism—the way your body uses energy.  Hyperthyroidism, also called overactive thyroid, occurs when your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. Too much thyroid hormone speeds up many of the body’s functions. If untreated, an overactive thyroid can lead to other health concerns, such as heart problems.The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is  Graves’ disease,  in which the immune system stimulates the thyroid gland. Less often, hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid has one or more nodules (lumps) that make too much thyroid hormone.

What is the treatment of hyperthyroidism ?

The goal of treatment is to lower the amount of thyroid hormones in the body. Treatment options include:

1. Radioactive iodine (RAI). Also called radioiodine. RAI is a common and long-used treatment for hyperthyroidism.
2. Surgery. This treatment removes the thyroid gland with surgery (called thyroidectomy).
3. Anti-thyroid drugs. These medicines are given for months or even years to lower the levels of thyroid hormone.  Sometimes, patients are prescribed these medications in preparation for RAI or surgery. 

How does Radioactive iodine treatment work ?

The thyroid gland uses iodine to make thyroid hormone. It absorbs the iodine from the foods we eat. Similarly, the thyroid gland absorbs the RAI when it swallowed.Then, the radiation attached to the iodine damages the thyroid cells. Over time, the thyroid gland produces less thyroid hormone. Because no other organ in the body use iodine, the RAI does not affect any other part of the body. RAI, also called iodine 131 (I-131), is given as a single-dose capsule or liquid. Most often, for the treatment of hyperthyroidism you will not need to stay in the hospital. It can take 6 weeks to 6 months to see the full effects of RAI treatment. During this time, your thyroid blood levels will be monitored regularly. You may also need to take anti-thyroid drugs. 

Who should not receive Radio-iodine Therapy?

For safety reasons, these people should not get RAI treatment:

1. Pregnant and breastfeeding women or those planning to become pregnant in the next six months
2. People who cannot follow radiation safety precautions
3. Young children who haven’t tried other treatment options first
4. Some people with active Graves’ ophthalmopathy (thyroid eye disease)

Radio-iodine (RAI) is administered in Differentiated carcinoma of thyroid after total thyroidectomy for several reasons:

1. To eliminate the normal thyroid remnant, thereby ensuring undetectable serum Tg levels (in the absence of neoplastic tissue), which facilitate follow-up (remnant ablation).
2. To irradiate presumed foci of neoplastic cells, thereby reducing the recurrence risk (adjuvant therapy).
3. To treat persistent or recurrent disease (treatment of known disease).

Patient ID Card:

We have introduced patient ID card for our ‘Life-long Follow-up Clinic’ patients for -

     1.    Rapid patient identification
     2.    Prompt administrative procedure (Registration, Payment etc.)
     3.    Electronic Medical Record Management
     4.    Raised quality of care

Our ‘Life-long Follow-up Clinic’ includes patients of  - 

      a)     Hyperthyroidism
      b)     Hypothyroidism
      c)     Post-radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism
      d)     Post-radioiodine therapy for Differentiated Ca-Thyroid

Follow-up care:
Care should be given to a patient over time after finishing treatment for a disease. Follow-up care involves regular medical checkups, which may include a physical exam, blood, bio-chemical, hormone and imaging tests. Follow-up care checks for health problems that may occur months or years after treatment ends, including the development of other types of disease.  In cancer patients, one purpose of follow-up care is checking to see if the cancer has come back or has spread to other parts of the body.