Performance tests of a portable thyroid radioiodine meter

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a portable thyroid radioiodine meter in on-site monitoring to enhance the monitoring precision of radioiodine inhaled by nuclear medicine staff and patients. Methods A portable thyroid radioiodine meter was developed to measure the 131I activity in the thyroid. Performance tests of the portable thyroid radioiodine meter were conducted using calibration sources and testing methodologies adhering to national metrological standards. Results The thyroid radioiodine meter exhibited integral non-linearity, eight-hour measurement stability, measurement linearity, and an energy resolution of 0.42%, 1.05%, 1.56%, and 7.11%, respectively for 137Cs at 661.66 keV. Additionally, its minimum detectable activity for 131I at 364.49 keV was approximately 22 Bq (10 min). Conclusion The developed thyroid radioiodine meter features elevated performance and great potential for application in nuclear medicine and monitoring of responses to nuclear or radiological emergencies.