Does radioactive iodine treatment have an effect on serum TWEAK and other cardio-metabolic parameters in hyperthyroid patients?

Abstract Purpose: Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which excess thyroid hormone is produced and released. It is not clear whether radioactive iodine (RAI), one of the treatment methods, increases cardiovascular risk in these patients. We investigated whether RAI increases cardio-metabolic risk by looking at serum soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and other parameters.Method: The study included 21 patients who underwent RAI and 21 patients followed up with anti-thyroid drugs. At the beginning and at the 3rd month, thyroid stimulating hormone, free T3 (fT3), free T4 (fT4), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), C-reactive protein (CRP) and sTWEAK levels were measured. According to baseline and 3rd month data, both groups were compared with each other and within themselves.Results: sTWEAK levels were higher in the RAI group at baseline and at the 3rd month than in the medical group (baseline sTWEAK 78.80 vs 49.90, p=0.004; 3rd month sTWEAK 76.60 vs 40.63, p=0.001, respectively). CRP level was higher in the RAI group at the 3rd month than in the medical group (2.70 vs 1.49, respectively, p=0.024).Conclusion: Low-dose RAI does not lead to a change in cardio-metabolic risk in the early period.