Radioactive Iodine Therapy Treatment in Turkey
About Radioactive Iodine Therapy
Key Highlights
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Highly Targeted Treatment: Radioiodine is selectively absorbed by thyroid cells, sparing most other tissues.Non-Surgical Option: Offers a treatment alternative to surgery for hyperthyroidism and residual thyroid cancer.High Success Rate: Very effective at destroying remaining thyroid tissue and cancer cells post-surgery.listrongOutpatient Potential:/strong Often performed as an outpatient procedure, minimizing hospital stay./lilistrongWell-Tolerated:/strong Generally has fewer side effects compared to systemic chemotherapy./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer (papillary or follicular) after thyroidectomy to ablate remaining tissue.
- Treatment of recurrent or metastatic thyroid cancer.
- Management of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease or toxic nodular goiter.
- Ablation of residual benign thyroid tissue post-surgery.
- Preparation for whole-body radioactive iodine scans to detect thyroid cancer spread.
How to prepare
- Follow a low-iodine diet for 1-2 weeks before therapy to increase thyroid cell uptake of the radioactive iodine.
- Discontinue certain thyroid hormone medications (like levothyroxine) or switch to a different type (liothyronine) as directed to elevate TSH levels.
- Pregnancy must be ruled out in women of childbearing age.
- Inform your doctor of all medications and supplements.
- Arrange for time off work and a separate living space at home for radiation safety post-treatment.
- Stay well-hydrated before the procedure.
Risks & possible complications
- Short-term side effects: Neck tenderness, nausea, dry mouth, altered taste, and fatigue.
- Salivary gland inflammation (sialadenitis), which can lead to pain, swelling, or dry mouth.
- Temporary bone marrow suppression, leading to reduced blood cell counts.
- Risk of developing other cancers (e.g., leukemia) later in life, though this is rare.
- Potential for permanent hypothyroidism, requiring lifelong thyroid hormone replacement.
- Radiation exposure risk to others, requiring temporary isolation precautions.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Follow strict radiation safety precautions for several days (typically 3-7 days): maintain distance from others, use separate utensils/towels, and flush toilet twice.
- Stay well-hydrated to help flush the radioactive iodine from your body.
- You may experience fatigue; ample rest is recommended.
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments for blood tests and scans to monitor thyroid hormone levels and treatment effectiveness.
- Begin or resume thyroid hormone replacement medication as prescribed by your doctor.
- Avoid pregnancy for at least 6-12 months post-therapy as advised.
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Typical hospital stay:
0-2 days (Often outpatient with possible short isolation stay)
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Expected recovery time:
1-2 weeks (for acute side effects; full metabolic recovery and hormone stabilization may take several weeks)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering radioactive iodine therapy in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for radioactive iodine therapy in Turkey include Liv Hospital Ankara, Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, VM Medical Park Pendik Hastanesi, Medical Park Florya, Medical Park Bahçelievler, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform radioactive iodine therapy. MediFyr helps you compare oncologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for radioactive iodine therapy compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | USD 275 – USD 1,652 | 0-2 days (Often outpatient with possible short isolation stay) | ~ 1-2 weeks (for acute side effects; full metabolic recovery and hormone stabilization may take several weeks) | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 2,049 – USD 12,293 | 0-2 days (Often outpatient with possible short isolation stay) | ~ 1-2 weeks (for acute side effects; full metabolic recovery and hormone stabilization may take several weeks) | Know More |
Top hospitals for Radioactive Iodine Therapy in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated oncologist teams and experience managing patients undergoing radioactive iodine therapy.
Instabul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Anjali Mehta, a 58-year-old retired school...
Anjali Mehta, a 58-year-old retired school principal, had always been the pillar of strength for her family. A routine check-up revealed a slightly elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, but she felt fine. Over the next year, she began experiencing unexplained fatigue, heart palpitations, and a noticeable tremor in her hands. A follow-up ultrasound and a biopsy confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma, a small but definite cancer. Her oncologist, Dr. Sharma, explained that while surgery had removed her thyroid, microscopic cells often remained. He recommended Radioactive Iodine (RAI) Therapy as an adjuvant treatment to 'mop up' any residual thyroid tissue and cancer cells, significantly reducing the risk of recurrence. Anjali was admitted to a special isolation room for two days. The treatment itself was simple, swallowing a single capsule, but the isolation was emotionally challenging. She passed the time video-calling her grandchildren, who drew her pictures. Post-procedure, she followed strict radiation safety precautions at home for a week, sleeping alone and using separate utensils. A follow-up scan showed successful ablation of the remaining tissue. Emotionally, Anjali moved from initial fear and a sense of contamination ('I'm radioactive') to profound relief and gratitude. The experience reinforced her resilience, and she now volunteers to support other women navigating cancer diagnoses.
Oncologists for Radioactive Iodine Therapy
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