RAI for thyroid and pet scan needed at the same time.

yrucrying
yrucrying Member Posts: 1
in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
Hello there, I had a stem cell transplant in May of 2010, I am scheduled to have a followup pet scan for lymphoma. I am also scheduled to have RAI for papillary thyroid cancer. My thyroid doc said that I have to be four months without a petscan before they can do the RAI. If I have the petscan first, does anybody know how long is the period I have to wait before I can do the RAI after the scan?

Comments

  • forme
    forme Member Posts: 1,161 Member
    #2
    Petscan
    Hi yrucrying,

    I know all about the waiting. If you have a PET scan ONLY, not a Pet/CT scan , then you do not have to wait. If you have the combo Pet/CT scan then you will have to wait. I had to wait 3 months because I had the combo. Most hospitals only do the combo, so I am guessing that is why they are making you wait. It is because of the contrast for the CT part of the scan. It is iodine and your body need to be depleated of iodine before RAI. You may want to ask your dr if you can have a PEt only scan, so that you don't have to wait. Waiting is the hardest part of the journey..
    Wishing you the best..

Discussion Boards