Therapy Protocol

I-131 Radioiodine Therapy – 30 mCi

Standard-dose radioactive iodine for post-surgical thyroid remnant ablation in low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer.

Dose: 30 mCi Indication: Thyroid Cancer
Book therapy consultation ← All 8 Therapies
Low-Risk Ablation
Targeted post-operative remnant destruction for early-stage thyroid cancer.
Tg Clearance
Clears remnant tissue so blood Thyroglobulin becomes a reliable cancer marker.
Outpatient Visit
Administered as a single oral capsule with brief monitoring.
Post-Therapy Scan
Whole body scan performed 3–7 days post-dose to confirm complete ablation.

Clinical Overview & Mechanism

Radioiodine ablation with 30 mCi of I-131 is the international standard of care following total or near-total thyroidectomy for low-risk papillary or follicular thyroid carcinoma. This therapy destroys microscopic remnant thyroid tissue left after surgery, facilitates accurate post-treatment staging scans, and enables sensitive long-term follow-up using blood Thyroglobulin (Tg) tracking.

Targeted indications

Clinical Indications & Use

Indication 01
Low-Risk Papillary Cancer

Post-thyroidectomy ablation for low-risk T1/T2 papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Indication 02
Follicular Thyroid Cancer

Minimally invasive follicular carcinoma following total surgical resection.

Indication 03
Remnant Ablation

Elimination of residual microscopic thyroid bed tissue to streamline Tg tumor marker surveillance.

Indication 04
Baseline Staging

Enables high-sensitivity post-treatment whole-body diagnostic scanning.

Treatment protocol

Step-by-step therapy roadmap.

01
TSH Preparation
Raise TSH > 30 uIU/mL via 3–4 week thyroid hormone withdrawal or 2 Thyrogen (rhTSH) injections.
02
Low Iodine Diet (LID)
Follow a strict 14-day Low Iodine Diet to starve remaining thyroid cells of background iodine.
03
Capsule Ingestion
Take the 30 mCi I-131 capsule with water on an empty stomach at our nuclear medicine department.
04
Post-Ablation Sweep
Undergo a whole-body gamma camera scan 3 to 5 days post-dose to verify targeted uptake.
05
Hormone Restart
Resume Levothyroxine (Thyronorm/Eltroxin) suppression therapy as prescribed by Dr. Nikunj Jain.
Patient preparation

Preparation & Safety Checklist

14-Day Low Iodine Diet
Avoid iodized salt, dairy products, seafood, egg yolks, and commercial bakery products.
Ensure TSH Elevation
Verify TSH levels exceed 30 uIU/mL before dose administration.
Hydration Protocol
Drink plenty of fluids post-dose to accelerate urinary clearance of unabsorbed isotope.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 30 mCi an outpatient procedure?

Yes, in accordance with AERB guidelines, 30 mCi is administered on an outpatient basis.

When do I perform the post-therapy scan?

The whole-body post-therapy scan is typically scheduled 3 to 5 days after taking the 30 mCi capsule.

How long does the Low Iodine Diet last?

The diet starts 14 days before capsule administration and continues for 1–2 days after.

Have questions about this therapy?

Book a consultation with Dr. Nikunj Jain for personalized treatment planning and expert guidance.

Book Consultation