The changes in complete blood count in thyroid cancer patients treated with radioactive iodine ablation therapy.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation therapy on the complete blood count (CBC) in thyroid cancer patients. METHODS One hundred sixty four patients undergoing RAI ablation therapy after total thyroidectomy were included. CBC results were available from the patients' medical records at the time of ablation and at the 1st, 6th, and 12th months after RAI therapy. RESULTS Hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (Plt) values were significantly lower than baseline at 1 month after treatment (p <0.0001). Hb and WBC values were increased at the 6th month and at the 1st year. Plt values increased at the 6th month but had decreased again at the 1st year. The values were usually in normal ranges except in the patients with low pretreatment Hb and WBC values. CONCLUSION RAI ablation therapy in thyroid cancer patients is a safe treatment modality without any serious or persistent hematological side effects.