Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: Indications for Radioiodine (131I) in therapy for benign thyroid disease include Graves’ disease, Toxic goitre and euthyroid goitre. There is reduced clinical & financial implication as compared to surgery with absence of anaesthetic/invasive complications, pain, recovery and in-patient stay. The aim of this study was establishing demographics and prevalence of the treatment population, to ensure dosage and indication compliance with national guidelines as well as determining efficacy of the treatment through thyroid function outcomes.

Methods: Using an excel database, retrospective data collection was performed for patients receiving Radioiodine treatment for benign thyroid conditions between 1st June 2015 and 1st June 2016 amongst two prescribing sites; one of which had an endocrinologist as prescriber, the other having an oncologist, and comparative outcomes investigated.

Outcomes/results: Radioiodine treatment was given for approved aetiologies in all patients (majority for Graves’ disease in both centres with few for Toxic Multinodular Goitre and Toxic adenoma). The average dose of radioiodine used was higher in the prescribing oncologist Vs endocrinologist 447.74 MBq vs 404.94 MBq in Graves’ disease, 637.5 MBq vs 403 MBq dose for Toxic multinodular goitre but lower in Toxic adenoma 299 MBq vs 503.25 MBq. All patients had active eye disease excluded. The overall data showed a cure rate (achieving euthyroidism or hypothyroidism) for Graves’ disease of 100% by 12 months.

Conclusion: There was appropriate adherence to national guidance and this should continue. Thyroid eye clinics to exclude and stabilise eye disease prior to radioiodine should be utilised. By raising awareness of the effectiveness and safety of radioiodine as a treatment for hyperthyroid disease in the context of Graves’ disease and alternative pathologies early referral in recurrent thyrotoxicosis should be encouraged. This study needs a longer follow-up period to include relapse rates and be compared to centres using dosage calculations as a lower dosage may also be successful.