This is a personal experience share. For any health concerns or questions about lab results, always consult your veterinarian!
After the diagnosis, I was faced with two main treatment paths:
Option 1: Lifelong Medication
- Give medication at a fixed time every day, without missing doses
- Medication only controls thyroid hormone production; the gland itself continues to enlarge
- Dosage may need to increase over time; requires long-term TT4 and kidney monitoring
Option 2: Radioactive Iodine Therapy (I-131)
- In Taiwan, only one hospital in Taichung offers this treatment
- The only treatment with a realistic chance of a cure
- My cat was 13 years old (relatively young for a hyperthyroid cat), and his levels weren’t critically high — the vet said he was a good candidate
I chose radioactive iodine therapy.
The Pre-Treatment Preparation Process
Once I decided, I compiled all his bloodwork from diagnosis onwards and emailed it to the Taichung hospital. They reviewed everything, called to explain the process, and scheduled the pre-treatment workup.
Required tests before treatment:
- Full bloodwork (TT4, kidney function, liver function, etc.)
- Chest X-ray + abdominal X-ray
- Cardiac ultrasound (recommended to see a cardiac specialist)
Important note: Medication must be stopped 5–7 days before the procedure. If the hyperthyroidism is poorly controlled, stopping medication during this period can trigger a “thyroid storm,” which carries significant risk.
Fortunately, his test results came back showing only mild kidney shrinkage — everything else was relatively stable.
The hospital gave a thorough explanation of the costs, hospitalization process, and what to expect. Because of the isotope’s half-life restrictions, once the appointment is booked it can’t be easily rescheduled, and a deposit is required in advance. I booked time off work before confirming the date — because there really is no backing out.
The waiting period between “deciding to do it” and “actually doing it” was the hardest part. I was worried and scared, up at night googling everything.
Micords Tracking Reminder
During the waiting period before radioactive iodine therapy, keeping up with Micords records is especially important!
It gives you a clear picture of changes before and after stopping medication, and helps prevent symptoms from spiraling out of control.
Recommended items to track:
- Daily weight
- Water intake and urine output
- Appetite and food intake
- Vocalization and activity level
- Medication status (especially important after stopping medication)
This not only gives your vet more complete data — it also gives you peace of mind.