The American Thyroid Association (ATA) has issued a press release/statement regarding the shortage of radioactive iodine I-131, used for thyroid tests and treatments. According to the ATA, the shortage is now having an effect on the supply of I-131, and hospitals in some areas of the country are being told that they will not receive any further shipments of I-131 until mid-December of 2009.
Says ATA: "This shortage has led to prioritizing the use of existing I-131 products for those patients with thyroid cancer who have urgency of treatment. It has also brought concerns about the possibility of rescheduling patients who are in the process of preparing for radioactive iodine scans or treatment...It is advisable for physicians to determine the status of I-131 supply locally, with the nuclear medicine department in their hospital or the vendors who provide this product for office-based practices."
Note from Mary: if you are scheduled for a procedure involving radioactive iodine, you may want to call ahead to reconfirm that your physician/hospital will have the I-131 needed to perform your scheduled procedure.
Image: clipart.com
Source: Notice from the American Thyroid Association (ATA) I-131 shortage
While I’m not affected by this, having had 90% of my thyroid surgically removed….it is still just more sad news for thyroid patients.
thanks Mary
hmm been putting off the follow up call to my Endo, maybe i better do it so he can get my scan rolling. uhh i’ve tried several times to find out the minimun dose given for next scan so i know my quarantine needs but they keep passing the buck to Endo , i say isnt there a standard protocol for the next one so i have some idea, but guess i better get on the phone with Endo soon.