Path 1 for Thyroid Cancer
This is patient-specific information and should only be followed depending on the individual instructions given to you by the physician.
"Path 1" Scenario:
Patient who has just had recent total thyroidectomy, not on thyroid hormone, and is now ready for radioactive iodine treatment of remnant tissue
Preparation during clinic visit for "Path 1"
a. Instructions and introduction to coordinator
b. Low iodine diet instructions
c. Synthroid prescription and dosing instructions.
d. Lab slips. Where to go for labs.
e. Treatment and whole body scan order
f. Schedule follow up appointment
Proper steps to complete Path 1:
Locations:
a. Houston Thyroid and Endocrine Specialists. 6624 Fannin Street. Suite 2260. Houston, TX 77030. phone 713 795 0770
b. Baylor Clinic 6620 Main Street, Suite 1275 Nuclear medicine department, Houston, TX 77030. phone 713.798.2300
If you were on cytomel/liothyronine, then you must be STOP this medication for at least 2 weeks prior to treatment dose.
START "low iodine diet" to the best of your ability for the two weeks prior to treatment dose.
Complete bloodwork at least 2 weeks after surgery. Call our office the next day to tell our Radioactive Iodine Coordinator you have completed this bloodwork; we need to a negative pregnancy test for women, thyroglobulin, and TSH is greater than 30. SCHEDULE treatment dose date with the coordinator.
Come to Houston Thyroid and Endocrine clinic on scheduled morning for radioactive iodine treatment. STOP low iodine diet after the treatment. SCHEDULE a Post-Treatment Whole Body Scan at Baylor clinic 7-10 days AFTER THE TREATMENT.
START Synthroid/levothyroxine 3 days after treatment dose.
Schedule an appointment with your endocrinologist 6-8 weeks after scan date. Complete blood work a week prior to the visit.