Abstract

The main objective of this study is to analyze the effect of iodine 131 combined with levothyroxine sodium tablet on the postoperative thyroid papillary carcinoma. Clinical data of 113 patients with postoperative thyroid papillary carcinoma who underwent total resection in our hospital from January 2020 to January 2021 were collected. According to the different treatment methods, patients were divided into group A (n=39) treated with levothyroxine sodium tablet, group B (n=38) treated with iodine 131, and group C (n=36) treated with iodine 131 combined with levothyroxine sodium tablet consecutively for 4 w. The levels of thyroid hormones (free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone), thyroid related antibodies (thyroglobulin, anti-thyroglobulin antibody and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody), removal rate of residual thyroid tissue, adverse reactions and recurrence were compared. The levels of free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine in group C were higher than those in groups A and B after treatment, while those of thyroid stimulating hormone and thyroid related antibodies were lower than those in groups A and B (p<0.05). After treatment, there were no differences in the levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid related antibodies in groups A and B (p>0.05). The removal rate of residual thyroid tissue in group C was significantly higher than those in groups A and B, and group B was higher than that of group A (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the adverse reaction rates and recurrence rates among the three groups (p>0.05). The recurrence rate of patients within 2 y was similar to that of single iodine 131 or levothyroxine sodium tablet treatment. However, the combined treatment strategy was more prominent in improving thyroid hormones and antibody levels, which improved the removal rate of residual thyroid tissue with good safety.