RADIOACTIVE IODINE THERAPY (IODINE-131 TREATMENT) FOR THYROID DISEASE

• Radioiodine therapy
• Consultation with a physician
• Ultrasound
• Blood tests

• Transfer airport-clinic-airport

Radioactive Iodine Therapy (I-131) for Thyroid Disease

Procedure Overview
Radioactive Iodine Therapy (I-131) is a specialized nuclear medicine treatment used for certain thyroid conditions, including differentiated thyroid cancer and selected cases of hyperthyroidism. The therapy aims to eliminate remaining thyroid tissue or microscopic disease after prior treatment.

Treatment Protocol

Patients are required to follow a low-iodine diet for approximately 15 days prior to arrival. The total stay in Türkiye is usually 7–10 days, depending on the treatment course and post-therapy radiation levels.

The treatment process is generally organized as follows:

Day 1
• Neck ultrasound examination
• Blood tests: TSH, Thyroglobulin (Tg), and Anti-Thyroglobulin (Anti-Tg)
• Nuclear medicine consultation and evaluation

Based on the examination findings and laboratory results, the medical team determines whether radioactive iodine therapy is appropriate and calculates the individualized I-131 dosage.

Day 2
• Administration of I-131 radioactive iodine therapy
• The patient is admitted to a specialized radiation-protected room and remains fasting for approximately 6 hours prior to treatment.
• Hospitalization typically lasts around 2 days, depending on radiation safety measurements.

Day 7–8
• Post-therapy whole-body scan (scintigraphy) to evaluate iodine uptake and treatment effectiveness.
• The exact timing of discharge and imaging may vary depending on the patient’s radiation levels.

• The final treatment decision and the required radioactive iodine dose are determined only after clinical examination and laboratory evaluation.
• Hospitalization duration may vary depending on radiation safety measurements and patient condition.
• In accordance with international radiation safety standards, patients are discharged only when radiation levels fall within safe limits.
• An advance payment is required for ordering the radioactive iodine dose, as it is prepared individually for each patient.

Treatment Advantages at Anadolu Medical Center

At Anadolu Medical Center, radioactive iodine therapy is performed in a hospital accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) and affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine, ensuring treatment according to international clinical standards.

Thyroid disease management follows a multidisciplinary approach, where specialists in nuclear medicine, endocrinology, radiology, and thyroid surgery collaborate to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy.

Patients receive therapy in modern radiation-protected treatment rooms designed according to international safety regulations.

The radioactive iodine dose is individualized for each patient based on laboratory findings, imaging results, and clinical evaluation.

Our hospital is internationally recognized and ranked among the World’s Best Hospitals by Newsweek, welcoming patients from Europe, the United States, and many other countries.

Through our International Patient Services Department, we support patients with medical coordination, interpreter services, and assistance with travel and accommodation.

• Personal medical coordinator
• Medical travel arrangements — booking of air tickets and hotel rooms at special partner prices
• Patient advocacy during medical travel