Recombinant Human TSH and Radioactive Iodine Treatment: 2-Week Regimen

Share
Time to Read: About 1 minute

This information describes the 2-week regimen for your recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) regimen. A regimen is a course of treatment.

Treatment with radioactive iodine helps lower the risk that your thyroid cancer will come back. It’s also used to treat thyroid cancer that has spread.

Your nurse will give you more information about how to get ready for your treatment, and what to expect during and after your treatment.

Follow a Low-Iodine Diet

You will need to follow a low-iodine diet before your regimen. Your nurse will give you a resource called Low-Iodine Diet that has more instructions on how to do this.

Start following the low-iodine diet ___ days before the first day (day 1) of your regimen.

Drink at least 8 (8-ounce) glasses of caffeine-free liquids every day. The liquids should include water and other drinks listed in the low-iodine diet guidelines.

Regimen Schedule

During the first week of your regimen, you will have blood tests, scans, and injections (shots) of recombinant human TSH. You’ll also receive your treatment.

 

You may be admitted to the hospital for treatment. If you’re admitted, you will be discharged from the hospital when the amount of radioactivity in your body is low enough so that it’s safe for you to leave. If you’re not admitted, your radiation safety officer will give you more instructions at the time of treatment.

During the second week of your regimen, you will have a post-treatment scan. A staff member in the Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service (MITS) will set this up for you. MITS is sometimes called the Nuclear Medicine service.

The following table shows an outline of what you can expect to happen, and when it will happen during your regimen. If you have any questions about your regimen, talk with your healthcare provider.

Week 1
May start Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday
Day 1
(2 to 3 hours)
• Blood tests
• Recombinant human TSH injection
Day 2
(30 to 60 minutes)
• Recombinant human TSH injection
• Diagnostic dose of radioactive iodine
Day 3
(6 to 8 hours)
• Scan
• Treatment dose of radioactive iodine
Week 2
Post-treatment scan

Last Updated

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Tell us what you think

Tell us what you think

Your feedback will help us improve the educational information we provide. Your care team cannot see anything you write on this feedback form. Please do not use it to ask about your care. If you have questions about your care, contact your healthcare provider.

While we read all feedback, we cannot answer any questions. Please do not write your name or any personal information on this feedback form.

Questions Yes Somewhat No
Please do not write your name or any personal information.