The day of the treatment finally arrived. After the procedure, my cat had to stay in a lead-lined isolation room for approximately 5 days (depending on the dose). No visits allowed during this time, no toys, no little blankets — just daily photos from the hospital to reassure me.
Before and After the Treatment: What to Know
- No medical procedures can be performed during isolation, which is why all pre-treatment checks are so important
- If your cat has severe kidney disease requiring subcutaneous fluids, these cannot be administered during the isolation period
My cat’s TT4 was 6.2 on treatment day. At the first follow-up (about 2 weeks later), it had already dropped to 2.6. It continued declining to 1.6, and has been very stable since. A small number of cats develop hypothyroidism afterward, but that’s relatively manageable.
Post-Treatment Care
Because his kidney values were already a bit unstable before treatment, the vet recommended two subcutaneous injections per week after the procedure to support kidney function and help with metabolic waste clearance. Each follow-up visit checks TT4, kidney function, and electrolytes simultaneously.
The total monitoring period is 6 months, during which TT4 gradually stabilizes. The overall success rate is high (95%+), but risks do exist — particularly the risk of thyroid storm during the medication washout period. My vet was upfront that they had seen rare cases that didn’t make it through, which is why each cat needs individual assessment.
Looking back from “I thought he was just being noisier” to completing radioactive iodine therapy — I’m overwhelmed with emotion. I’m deeply grateful to the team at Taichung Meow House Animal Hospital, to the 101 Cat Hospital who told me this option existed, and to every cat owner online who shared their experience.
For Cat Owners Navigating Hyperthyroidism
- Early detection and early treatment makes a real difference
- Track weight, diet, and elimination habits carefully
- Treatment choice depends on the cat’s age, test values, and any other concurrent conditions
- Radioiodine therapy costs more upfront, but for the right cat, it’s absolutely worth it
If your cat is on this journey too, come talk to us on Threads.
My little tyrant is doing great — energetic and very much still in charge. I hope he keeps me company for a long time to come.
Micords Tracking Reminder
Post-treatment tracking matters even more. Keep up with Micords records:
- Weekly weight changes (especially important)
- Water intake and urine output
- Subcutaneous injection dates and notes
- Appetite and energy level
- TT4 and kidney function trends from follow-up visits
This helps you see the recovery curve clearly and gives your vet useful reference data at each appointment.