Mark E Peterson1,2, Mark Rishniw2,3. 1. Animal Endocrine Clinic, New York, New York, USA. 2. College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. 3. Veterinary Information Network, Davis, California, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Radioiodine (131 I) is the treatment of choice for hyperthyroidism in cats, but current 131 I-dosing protocols can induce iatrogenic hypothyroidism and expose azotemia. OBJECTIVES: To develop a cat-specific algorithm to calculate the lowest 131 I dose to resolve hyperthyroidism, while minimizing risk of iatrogenic hypothyroidism and subsequent azotemia. ANIMALS: One thousand and four hundred hyperthyroid cats treated with 131 I. METHODS: Prospective case series (before-and-after study). All cats had serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4 ), triiodothyronine (T3 ), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) measured (off methimazole ≥1 week). Using thyroid scintigraphy, each cat's thyroid volume and percent uptake of 99m Tc-pertechnatate (TcTU) were determined. An initial 131 I dose was calculated by averaging dose scores for T4 /T3 concentrations, thyroid volume, and TcTU; 80% of that composite dose was administered. Twenty-four hours later, percent 131 I uptake was measured, and additional 131 I administered, as needed, to deliver an adequate radiation dose to the thyroid tumor(s). Serum concentrations of T4 , TSH, and creatinine were determined 6 to 12 months later. RESULTS: The median calculated 131 I dose was 1.9 mCi (range, 1.0-10.6 mCi); 1380 cats required additional 131 I administration on day 2. Of the cats, 1047 (74.8%) became euthyroid, 57 (4.1%) became overtly hypothyroid, 240 (17.1%) became subclinically hypothyroid, and 56 (4%) remained hyperthyroid. More overtly (71.9%) and subclinically (39.6%) hypothyroid cats developed azotemia than euthyroid cats (14.2%; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Our algorithm for calculating individual 131 I doses resulted in cure rates similar to historical treatment rates, despite much lower 131 I doses. This algorithm appears to lower prevalence of both 131 I-induced overt hypothyroidism and azotemia.
BACKGROUND:Radioiodine (131 I) is the treatment of choice for hyperthyroidism in cats, but current 131 I-dosing protocols can induce iatrogenic hypothyroidism and expose azotemia. OBJECTIVES: To develop a cat-specific algorithm to calculate the lowest 131 I dose to resolve hyperthyroidism, while minimizing risk of iatrogenic hypothyroidism and subsequent azotemia. ANIMALS: One thousand and four hundred hyperthyroidcats treated with 131 I. METHODS: Prospective case series (before-and-after study). All cats had serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4 ), triiodothyronine (T3 ), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) measured (off methimazole ≥1 week). Using thyroid scintigraphy, each cat's thyroid volume and percent uptake of 99m Tc-pertechnatate (TcTU) were determined. An initial 131 I dose was calculated by averaging dose scores for T4 /T3 concentrations, thyroid volume, and TcTU; 80% of that composite dose was administered. Twenty-four hours later, percent 131 I uptake was measured, and additional 131 I administered, as needed, to deliver an adequate radiation dose to the thyroid tumor(s). Serum concentrations of T4 , TSH, and creatinine were determined 6 to 12 months later. RESULTS: The median calculated 131 I dose was 1.9 mCi (range, 1.0-10.6 mCi); 1380 cats required additional 131 I administration on day 2. Of the cats, 1047 (74.8%) became euthyroid, 57 (4.1%) became overtly hypothyroid, 240 (17.1%) became subclinically hypothyroid, and 56 (4%) remained hyperthyroid. More overtly (71.9%) and subclinically (39.6%) hypothyroidcats developed azotemia than euthyroid cats (14.2%; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Our algorithm for calculating individual 131 I doses resulted in cure rates similar to historical treatment rates, despite much lower 131 I doses. This algorithm appears to lower prevalence of both 131 I-induced overt hypothyroidism and azotemia.