
The thyroid is a gland that uses iodine to produce the hormones that regulate cell metabolism, controlling the function of virtually every type of tissue in the human body. This gland can present problems that can be divided into two large blocks: nodular diseases and when there is any change in the function of this organ.
Nuclear medicine works mainly in cases of thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. In this second case, radiation is used to bombard the thyroid and make it shrink in size. Being in a smaller size, it starts to produce less hormone, with the reversal or reduction of the patient’s condition.

(photo: Personal Archive)
“When it comes to cancer, it’s as if we polished the inside, leaving no residue of malignant cells, trying to prevent the return of these diseases. In some cases, radiation can be used in a heavier way to treat metastases”, says the director of SBMN.
For the most serious and aggressive cases of cancer, which are very rare, nuclear medicine comes as a great help, being able to minimize the risk of future complications. “The presence of well-trained doctors to deal with the disease is fundamental so that, even in rare cases, the person has the necessary medical care to spare excessive actions for mild cases and to spare no effort for aggressive cases”, warns Adelina Sanches.
Contraindications of nuclear medicine
As for the contraindications for treatment with nuclear medicine, they can occur in cases of pregnancy or breastfeeding. “One of the rare contraindications is that patients who are breastfeeding will have to undergo treatment with radioactive iodine, which is used to fight thyroid diseases, both for diagnosis and treatment. In this case, the patient has to stay three weeks without breastfeeding. and this will make her lose the ability to self-regulate and maintain it later. In the case of pregnant women, the same situation, that is, the exposure of a pregnant woman should be strongly avoided in the first three months of pregnancy, unless be a life-threatening situation”, warns the doctor.
Only in very extreme cases would the breastfeeding mother be asked to stop breastfeeding to undergo treatment, as the director of SBMN points out: “”Often, it is important to manage the disease in another way until we apply radiation a little later on.” , in the treatment process, ensuring the breastfeeding of the child”.
Apart from these two situations, there are very rare and severe cases of hyperthyroidism in which patients are in the ICU and before starting treatment, it is necessary for the disease to be in a relative balance. “Radiation treatment, for a few days, can even present a slight worsening of symptoms, which is the release of hormones from the gland that will be purposely attacked by radiation so that, later, the patient enters a phase of continuous improvement. decompensated patients have a contraindication to undergo this treatment”, concludes Adelina Sanches.