Is RAI really necessary and should I be worried of metastasis

[sw5122]

I had a Total Thyroidectomy when a nodule in my left thyroid came back Papillary Carcinoma, Follicular Variant. My pathology reported no spread to the lymph nodes that the surgeon removed and a tiny (they called it insignificant) spot of cancer on my right thyroid. My surgeon seems to think that my cancer was completely contained to my thyroid and that my cancer is likely gone. Why would they be recommending Radioactive Iodine if it was contained to my thyroid. The size of the nodule/tumor was 4 cm. Is my cancer more than likely gone or should I be concerned that this is not over yet?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

A 4cm tumor has the risk of spread microscopically to the surrounding lymph nodes (not always detected at surgery) and an increased risk of distant metastasis.  This tumor size usually is treated with radioactive remnant ablation after surgery.

[SK511]

I had a total thyroidectomy in Feb. 2010 after having been diagnosed with papillary cancer on the right lobe. The nodule was 2.7 cm but the cancer was 1.2 cm with a small cancer nodule on the left lobe. My surgeon and Endocrinologist strongly suggest I get the Radioactive Iodine Ablation, which I am fine with. However, the Endocrinologist says I "should" get a total body scan after the procedure, which I am against due to not having won the lottery. Is the total body scan really necessary since I had thyroid cancer?
Also, I am wanting very much to wait til after I get pregnant and have my first child (we're trying to get pregnant).