The use of radioactive iodine in thyroid diseases especially in the Rangoon General Hospital

ABSTRACT

The Radio-isotope Department of the Rangoon General Hospital is using as routine tests in the evaluating of the thyroid gland function the uptake of I-132 in two and four hour intervals, the uptake of I-131 in two, six and twenty-four hour interval, kidney excretion of radioiodine, conversion radio in twenty-four hour interval and the PBL-131 value. The in vitro test of uptake of radioactive triiodothyronine on resin is newly introduced. The advantage of this test is that is that it is possible to avoid the administration of radioiodine to the patient and therefore it can be used even in pediatric practice. The indications and contraindications of radioiodine tests are discussed. The radiation dose to the patient is calculated. Results of radioisotope laboratory are statistically evaluated and presened in five groups hypothyroid, euthyroid without goiter, euthy-roid with goitre, borderline cases and thyrotoxic cases. There is a remarkable difference in radioiodine uptake between the group of euthyroid persons with and without goitre. This paper explains these differences as the result of iodine deficiency which is probably the principal cause of the endemic goitre in Lower Burma.