Clinical Overview > Condition/ Syndrome

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Adam R Puchalski Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 24-130 Warren Hall, 900 Veteran Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA

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Inder J Chopra Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 24-130 Warren Hall, 900 Veteran Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA

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Summary

Radioiodine (131I) is a critical component in the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer. We recently saw a patient with thyroid cancer who was hesitant to take 131I treatment because he had previously encountered an allergic reaction to administration of iodine-containing radiocontrast agent for computed tomography (CT) scanning. We were able to administer 131I treatment after discussion that his anaphylactic reaction was not due to iodine and that radioiodine (131I) treatment is unlikely to cause a reaction in the patient.

Learning points

  • An allergy to iodine itself does not exist.

  • When patients claim that they have an ‘iodine allergy’, ask them what substances they are allergic to and what kind of reaction occurred during use of such substances.

  • Radioactive iodine is not a contraindication for patients who claim an ‘allergy to iodine’.

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