Low versus high radioiodine dose in postoperative ablation of residual thyroid tissue in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a large randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVESRadioiodine ablation of thyroid tissue remains the cornerstone of treatment for patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma after thyroidectomy. Selecting an optimal dose of radioiodine for successful ablation is a continuous challenge in these patients. METHODSWe compared the treatment response of 341 patients with thyroidectomy randomly allocated to the high-dose group, 3700 MBq (170 patients), versus the low-dose group, 1110 MBq (171 patients), for radioiodine ablation therapy in a double-blind randomized clinical trial. The response to treatment was defined as successful or unsuccessful according to post-therapy ultrasonography of the neck, serum thyroglobulin (Tg), anti-Tg, and functioning residual tissue after 6-month and 12-month intervals. The major criteria of successful ablation were Tg