Short-term side effects of 131I nail-clearing therapy

The therapeutic dose of 131I causes direct radiation damage to the DTC lesions, residual thyroid tissue, adjacent tissues and other iodine uptake-capable normal tissues and organs, resulting in varying degrees of radioinflammatory reactions. Common side effects in the short term (1-15 days) after Nail Clearance treatment include: fatigue, neck swelling and pharyngeal discomfort, dry mouth and even painful swelling of salivary glands, change in sense of taste, blockage of nasolacrimal ducts, epigastric discomfort and even nausea, and damage to the urinary tract. Most of the above symptoms appear within 1-5 days of nail clearing treatment and often resolve on their own without special treatment. Some studies have shown that the use of measures such as taking acidic candies, chewing sugarless gum, massaging the salivary glands, or rehydrating fluids during the 131I treatment period can reduce the radiation damage to the salivary glands. However, a recent prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study reported that the radiation absorbed dose to the salivary glands was not significantly altered by the administration of vitamin C at different times after the use of 131I. Drinking large amounts of water, urinating and taking laxatives may help to minimize radiation damage to the abdominal and pelvic cavities, but the potential for electrolyte disturbances should be noted. In patients with comorbid other chronic diseases and/or advanced DTC, persistent hypothyroidism coupled with damage from 131I after nail clearance, the underlying disease condition may worsen in a short period of time, which needs to be closely observed and promptly treated. In addition, patients may have some psychological changes, such as boredom, anxiety, insomnia, fear, etc., in the short term after the treatment of nail clearance, which is not the direct damage of 131I, but originates from some factors during the implementation of the treatment (e.g., isolation of radiation protection, gradual aggravation of hypothyroidism, and the influence of other diseases, etc.).