The Effect of ¹³¹I Therapy on the Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Patients with Thyroid Disorders: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

The leading cause of gastritis and its complications is Helicobacter pylori. Radioactive iodine (¹³¹I) accumulates significantly in the stomach after consumption. On this basis, we decided to determine whether different doses of ¹³¹I in the stomach would be effective in eradicating the infection. Methods: All patients with hyperthyroidism or differentiated thyroid carcinoma who were referred for ¹³¹I treatment were invited to the study. A stool antigen test was conducted before consumption of ¹³¹I (0.15–5.5 GBq) and was repeated 2 mo later to detect H. pylori infection. Results: H. pylori positivity was found in 51.8% (14/27) of the patients. At 2 mo after treatment, 13 of the 14 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma or hyperthyroidism who had been identified as positive for H. pylori stool antigen before ¹³¹I administration were still positive, representing a nonsignificant eradication rate of 7.1%. Conclusion: Administration of ¹³¹I to patients with H. pylori did not show potential to eliminate the infection.