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.
Keywords: 131I; feline; hypothyroidism; radioactive iodine; scintigraphy; thyroid gland; thyroid-stimulating hormone; thyroxine; triiodothyronine.
© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.