First confirm that radioiodine is clinically indicated
Radioiodine is used for selected iodine-avid differentiated thyroid cancers, not every thyroid-cancer subtype. The center therefore needs pathology, operative details, risk features and prior radioiodine history before a meaningful estimate can be issued.
Preparation can add appointments, laboratory testing and medication costs
Freiburg describes preparation through thyroid-hormone withdrawal or recombinant TSH according to the individual plan and requires attention to recent iodine exposure. Ask whether laboratory testing, stimulation medication, thyroid-clinic review and any pre-therapy test or dosimetry are included in the estimate.
The inpatient radiation-protection stay is part of the cost episode
Freiburg and Essen perform thyroid-cancer radioiodine therapy as inpatient nuclear-medicine care. The hospital stay, radiation monitoring and discharge timing depend on the treatment and applicable radiation-protection criteria, so travel planning should not assume a universal fixed length of stay.
Post-therapy imaging should be included or clearly itemized
Freiburg documents whole-body scintigraphy with SPECT/CT after I-131 therapy, while Essen also describes structured post-treatment nuclear-medicine follow-up. Ask whether the post-therapy scan and specialist interpretation are inside the quoted amount.
Repeat treatment means a new financial episode
Some patients may later undergo another radioiodine treatment or diagnostic admission depending on risk, iodine avidity and response. The first estimate should not be interpreted as the lifetime cost of thyroid-cancer nuclear-medicine care.
Questions to ask before payment
Ask for a written scope of the I-131 episode.
- Does the quote include the nuclear-medicine indication review?
- Is recombinant TSH included if it is planned?
- Are laboratory tests and iodine-related preparation checks included?
- Does the estimate include the I-131 treatment itself and inpatient stay?
- Are dosimetry or additional pre-therapy imaging included if required?
- Is post-therapy whole-body scintigraphy / SPECT-CT included?
- What stay duration does the estimate assume?
- Which follow-up visit and laboratory tests are included?
- How would a later repeat I-131 treatment be quoted?
Official sources
Last source-reviewed 2026-08-30. Cost procedures and published service fees can change, so confirm current terms directly with the provider before transferring money or booking travel.
- Radioiodine therapy for malignant thyroid disease — University Medical Center Freiburg ↗
- Thyroid clinic and thyroid cancer follow-up — University Medical Center Freiburg ↗
- Radioiodine therapy for thyroid carcinoma — University Hospital Essen ↗
- Radioiodine referral and risk-adapted planning — University Hospital Essen ↗