Thyroglobulin as a possible predictor of doses radioiodine therapy in hyperthyroidism

Abstract

Introduction According to guidelines for the management of hyperthyroidism, patients with hyperthyroidism should be treated with radioactive iodine, antithyroid drugs, or thyroidectomy. Oral administration of radioiodine is a safe and cost effective treatment option for patients with toxic multinodular goiter (TMG)/toxic adenoma (TA) or Grave’s disease (GD). The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of thyroglobulin values as a possible predictor of a dose of radioiodine therapy (RAI) in hyperthyroidism in patients GD, TA and TMG. Results The study included 105 patients (14.4 % males and 85.6% females). The average duration of the disease was 9 years. Graves’s disease is registered among 50.68%, toxic multinodular goiter among 30.83% and toxic adenoma among 18.49% of patients. Patients were divided into four groups, and they received four doses of radioiodine therapy: 10mCi, 15mCi, 20mCi and 25mCi. The values of thyroglubulin were measured before RAI, and in period of one, three and six months after the therapy. Conclusion It can be concluded that the higher average value of thyroglobulin before therapy suggests the need for administering a higher doses of RAI, so determination of thyroglobulin levels in serum, may serve as a good predictor to assist in monitoring the administered dose of RAI in patients with hyperthyroidism.