Endocrine Abstracts

Background

Radioiodine therapy (RAI) is an effective treatment for hyperthyroidism, being used with increasing frequency. There is no consensus as to the correct use of radioiodine

The aim is to compare our practice to the standards recommended by the working group of the Royal College of Physicians and Society for Endocrinology and to measure the outcome at one year of using a fixed dose of RAI (555 Mbq) .

Methods:

A retrospective audit including all consecutive 334 patients who received this treatment between January 1996 and December 2002. Data were obtained from case notes, path-laboratory results and medical physics records

Results

284 case notes were retrieved (female 230 (81%), male 54 (19%).) Mean age was 57(range 22-91)

Signed consent was documented in 94% of all patients, 95% received a warning card, 94% have had a thyroid function assessment within 4-8 weeks of receiving treatment and 92% had a thyroid function within 6-12 months. Treatment outcome at 12 months was successful in 94% (13% were euthyroid on no treatment and 81% had treated hypothyroidism), 6% remained hyperthyroid requiring a further dose of RAI or a course of antithyroid treatment.Of those who required thyroxine, 75% required this within 2 months, 23% within 6 months and 2% within 12 months of having RAI.

Conclusions:

Our practice is satisfactory compared to national guidelines. More reliable follow up through electronic thyroid register and more documentation are recommended. The 550 Mbq dose of radioiodine is effective in eradicating hyperthyroidism with only a 6% relapse rate at one year. The majority of patients require thyroxine within two months of having treatment. Our results are comparable to published data.