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Scans After Thyroidectomy

last modified on: Mon, 02/19/2024 - 11:16

INITIAL SCAN

  1. Patient may be scheduled for an I 131 scan approximately six weeks after thyroidectomy.
    1. Nuclear Medicine is consulted to explain scan, medications, and low iodine diet.
    2. A lead-lined room is reserved.

SUBSEQUENT SCANS

  1. Patient may be scheduled for follow-up scans depending on the clinical situation.
  2. Patient will be given the same instructions regarding medications and low iodine diet (see PDF icon instructionsForI131scans.pdf)

PRESCAN INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Synthroid discontinued six weeks prior to scheduled I 131 scan or on discharge from hospital.
  2. Begin Cytomel 25 mcg BID for four weeks, then stop. Patient is off all thyroid replacement medication for last two weeks prior to scan.
  3. Low iodine diet is followed the last two weeks before scan.

I131 SCANS ARE SCHEDULED AS A THREE-DAY PROCEDURE

  1. Day 1: TSH and thyroglobulin levels are drawn. Patient is given an oral dose of 2 millicuries of iodine; whole body counts are checked.
  2. Day 2: Whole body counts are rechecked, and patient is imaged to assess for iodine uptake.
  3. Day 3: Patient is rescanned. At this time, it is determined if the patient will be treated for I131 ablation. If treated, the patient is usually admitted to the hospital for several days. Low dose radiation treatment may permit treatment as an outpatient.

OTOLARYNGOLOGY WILL FOLLOW THE PATIENT UNTIL DISCHARGE FROM HOSPITAL

  1. Patient will be restricted to a lead-lined room per Nuclear Medicine orders.
  2. Diet: clear liquids 1 hour post I 131 ingestion, then follow low iodine diet for 24 hours.
  3. Discharge prescriptions: Cytomel 25 mcg BID for 1 week and appropriate dose of Synthroid; both medications are to be taken for the first week after I 131 scan, then Synthroid only.
  4. Return appointment scheduled with the Otolaryngology staff physician as ordered.

PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR I131 SCAN

instructionsForI131scans.pdf

Patient Name:

Notes

Your I 131 scan will take place over a 3 day period.

 

Your scan is scheduled as follows:

 

Day 1: ____________________ at ________ a.m.,

report to the Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Clinic at _________ a.m.

Day 2: ____________________ at ________ a.m.,

report directly to Nuclear Medicine

Day 3: ____________________ at ________ ,

time to be determined before you leave on Day 2.

It is possible you will be admitted to the hospital on Day 3 – this will be determined on Day 2.

 

Medication Instructions:

 

Stop taking Synthroid after _____________________

 

Begin taking Cytomel on _____________________

continue taking this for four weeks.

Stop taking Cytomel after _____________________

you will then be off all your thyroid medications for the next 2 weeks until your scan.

Follow the Low Iodine Diet for the two weeks prior to your scan (once you stop your medications).