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Rev Med Chil. 2000 May;128(5):499-507. Related Articles, Links

[Treatment of hyperthyroidism with radioiodine: effects of

administered dose on complications and thyroid function]

[Article in Spanish]

Pineda P, Michelsen H, M, Lillo R, Massardo T, Araya V,

Sierralta P, Oviedo S, Liberman C.

Departamento de Medicina, Hospital Clinico de la Universidad de

Chile. ppineda@...

BACKGROUND: Radio-iodine is a definite therapy for Graves disease

hyperthyroidism. However, the optimal dosage is still debatable.

AIM: To assess the effects of different radioiodine doses on thyroid

function and complications in patients with hyperthyroidism.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 139 patients with

hyperthyroidism, treated with ratio-iodine between 1988 and 1998.

Radio iodine dose used was classified as low (< 10 mCi),

intermediate (10-14.9 mCi) or high (> or = 15 mCi). RESULTS: Thirty-

five patients were treated with low doses, 33 with intermediate

doses and 71 with high doses. There were no differences between

these patients in age, disease severity, frequency of post treatment

euthyroidism or complications. Patients treated with low doses had a

higher frequency of persistent hyperthyroidism than patients treated

with high doses (25.7 and 4.2% respectively, p < 0.001). Likewise,

the frequency of subsequent hypothyroidism was 60% in patients

treated with low doses and 84.5% of those with high doses, in whom

it also appeared earlier. Associated complications were clinically

irrelevant. In seven patients, Graves ophthalmopathy progressed

after treatment, but this progression was not associated with the

dose used. CONCLUSIONS: Radio iodine in high doses is useful, safe

and effective for the treatment of Graves hyperthyroidism.