Effect of Radioactive Iodine Treatment on Saliva Rate in the Early Post-treatment Period

Objective: To investigate the effects of radioactive iodine therapy (I-131) on saliva production rate in the early post-treatment period. Study Design: Descriptive, analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Endocrinology, Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey from January to December 2017. Methodology: A total of 40 patients, who received radioactive iodine therapy after total thyroidectomy, were included in the study. Stimulated and unstimulated saliva levels were measured before and after treatment, using a scaled and sterile plastic tube. Results: The study group was comprised of three males (7.5%) and 37 females (92.5%) with a mean age of 44.15 +/- 10.2 years (range 26-66 years). The median values of all non-stimulated saliva before and after RAI treatment were 2.0 ml / minute (1.13-2.88) and 2.0 ml / minute (1.63-4.00), respectively; and the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.11). Similarly, there were no statistically significant differences in the median values of stimulated saliva before and after RAI treatment (median=7.0 ml/min and 7.5 ml/dk, respectively; p=0.88). Conclusion: Radioactive iodine treatment did not cause sialadenitis and did not affect the saliva production rates in the early post-treatment period.