I-131 TREATMENT OF HYPERTHYROIDISM IN A PATIENT ON DIALYSIS FOR CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE

A 7- to 8-cm diffuse toxic goiter with associated symptoms of hyperthy roidism developed in a 38-year-old black female undergoing regular hem odialysis for renal failure. Our treatment of choice was an ablative d ose of radioactive iodine in the form of sodium iodide (Na-I-131). To our knowledge, this is only the 4th documented case of hyperthyroidism in a patient with renal failure. Detailed monitoring of I-131 radioac tivity in the blood, thyroid gland and the dialysate demonstrated that there was no radiation hazard to personnel involved in the patient ma nagement.