Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2012) 28 P380

SFEBES2012 Poster Presentations Thyroid (52 abstracts)

This study is aimed to evaluate the significance of various clinical and demographic factors in predicting response to radioiodine treatment for thyrotoxicosis (555 MBq)

Komal Imtiaz , Benjamin Silver , Swathi Rachabattula , Mohammed Asam & Syed Sobri


Endocrinology, Lancashire Teaching Hospital, Chorley, United Kingdom.


Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical notes of 39 patients who received radioiodine treatment (RAI) for thyrotoxicosis from 2004 until February 2010.

Results: Thirty (76.9%) patients were females and the median age of diagnosis was 59.5 years. 17.9% had positive family history of thyrotoxicosis; current smokers (31%), ex-smokers (18%); Graves’ disease (56.4%), Multinodular goitre (41%), and unspecified diagnosis (2.6%). 18% of patients had history of thyroid eye disease(TED); mild (15%), moderate (3%), severe (0%) and two patients were given steroids as per our guidelines; TED worsening(o%) while one patient developed new TED post RAI. At diagnosis, Free T4 (mean, 38.3, median 32.8, NR 11–23 pmol/L); patients (46.2%) had thyroid ultrasound versus radio isotope scan (5.1%). Patients received Carbimazole (77%), Propylthiouracil (21%), none (3%) prior to RAI. 69.2% became hypothyroid post-RAI, euthyroid (20.5%) while 10.3% had further relapse of thyrotoxicosis and required a second dose of RAI. All patients achieved cure after second dose of RAI. All patients with toxic nodular goitre were cured; only 80% of patients with Graves’ disease achieved cure after first RAI treatment. Females were more likely to achieve cure after first RAI (92%) versus males (78%). Both thyroid receptor antibody (TRAB) and Thyroid peroxidise antibody (TPO) positivity were associated with a higher cure rate in our study. Higher Free T4 and T3 levels at diagnosis were associated with further relapse of thyrotoxicosis; however, only FT3 association was statistically significant. We also observed higher Thyroxine dose needed post-RAI associated with TRAB positivity; higher relapse rates in males and longer duration of anti-thyroid treatment but these three factors were not significant. High TRAB was associated with high FT4 levels at diagnosis and this was significant.

Conclusion: Various clinical, demographic factors and careful patient selection should be considered in predicting response to radioiodine treatment in order to achieve good outcomes.

Declaration of interest: There is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.

Funding: No specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.

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