Thyroid Division

Thyroid division is one of the main branches of NINMAS. In this division, different types of thyroid diseases like goiter, thyrotoxicosis and thyroid cancer are diagnosed and treated by thyroid specialists and technologists. Infact, this thyroid division is the biggest thyroid center of our country. Everyday different types of referred patients come here to take the diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. Besides attending the patients, different types of research works are also being done

Types of thyroid diseases:
   1. Hypothyroidism
   2. Hyperthyroidism
   3. Different types of thyroid cancers
   4. Thyroiditis
Contraindication of radioiodine and radionuclide use in diagnosis and treatment:
1. Pregnant ladies -- Absolute Contraindication
2. Lactating mother -- Relative Contraindication
3. Patients with taking levothyroxine are asked to withdraw levothyroxine for 4 weeks and having recent contrast CT have to wait for two months before radioiodine therapy.

Diagnostic tests of thyroid diseases:

1. Thyroid uptake test:In this test, minimum 5-10 micro Curie of radioiodine is orally administrated to the patient. After 2 and 24 hours, radioiodine activity is counted by uptake machine. This test is used to see the functional status of thyroid gland.

2. Thyroid scan: In this test, 2 mili Curie of 99m TC is injected intravenously to the patient and scan is done after 20 minutes to see functional status , the size and shape of thyroid gland, congenital thyroid abnormalities and evaluate the amount of residual thyroid tissue after surgery. Images are taken by planer gamma camera.

3. Ultrasound imaging of thyroid gland: In this test, 5-10 M Hz probe is used to see the size and shape of thyroid gland and to diagnosis the structural defects of the gland. Color Dopplar study is also being done .

4. In vitro tests: FT3, FT4, TSH, anti TPOAb and Anti Tg Ab hormones are analyzed here by blood tests.

Treatment by radioactive iodine:

1. Treatment of primary hyperthyroidism by radioactive 131 I and responsibilities for lifelong follow up of these patients are taken by this division.

2. Treatment of thyroid cancer patients with radioactive iodine with lifelong follow up facilities are also provided by this division

Archiving the patient’s files:

The first patient had received radioiodine therapy on 1980 in this institute and had been archived in our archive/record room. Lifelong follow-up of those patients treated by radioiodine is being given here and their files are archived. More than 7000 differentiated cancer patients and more than 6300 hyperthyroid patients received radioiodine treatment at this institute till date (update: February 2021).

Patients are advised to be isolated for 5-10 days in hospital cabin if amount of radioiodine is given 30 mili Curie or more.

The patients are advised to follow the instructions given below after receiving radioiodine therpay:

1. Minimum 5-10 days isolation of patients in separate hospital cabin with attached bathroom.

2. Intake of huge amount of water with frequent micturation is required. Water helps to decrease the radiation burden of the body.

3. Chewing of sour pickle and lemon candy frequently after 24 hours of radioiodine therapy for 5 days to prevent salivary gland destruction.

4. Spit, vomit, urine, stool all have to discard in toilet pan and wash with huge amount of water or flash the toilet twice.

5. Patient is not allowed to come outside the room. Telephone can be used in those cases, if necessary.

6. Patient’s used things are not allowed to take outside from the cabin. All used things can be stored for few days and then can be washed before use.

7. Pregnant lady or children should not be allowed to visit the patient. Only an adult person can stay maximum 5 minutes with patient and no one is allowed more than 3 times to visit the patient within 24 hours.

** During Covid-19 Pandemic Situation all patients are asked to wear masks. Patients with Covid-19 symptoms should not visit NINMAS. Some of the follow-up patients previously treated by radioiodine have been receiving telemedicine service still now . All doctors & technologist have been wearing PPE as required. They have been working behind screened tables & screen with hole at Ultrasound room and maintaining all precautions. We are trying our best to ensure safty issues from Covid-19 for patients as well as our employes.