Why is radioactive iodine useful in diagnosing and treating certain thyroid conditions?
It is now being used more often as a first-line treatment rather than surgery. Radioactive iodine is taken up by the thyroid, and destroys the cells in the thyroid gland. This has the effect of reducing the amount of thyroxine made by the thyroid gland and may also reduce the size of the gland.
What are the risks of radioactive iodine treatment?
What are the side effects of radioactive iodine?
- Neck tenderness and swelling.
- Nausea.
- Swollen salivary glands.
- Loss of taste or taste change.
- Dry mouth/insufficient salivary production.
- Dry eyes.
- Excessive tearing from the eyes.
Does radioactive iodine shorten your life?
Quality of life is worse at 6-10 years after radioactive iodine therapy of Graves’ disease compared with treatment with antithyroid drugs or surgery. Quality of life is worse at 6-10 years after radioactive iodine therapy of Graves’ disease compared with treatment with antithyroid drugs or surgery.
Can your thyroid grow back after radioactive iodine treatment?
In almost all cases, your thyroid hormone levels will return to normal or below normal after radioactive iodine treatment. This may take 8 to 12 weeks or longer.
How long do you have to be in isolation after radioactive iodine?
Depending on state regulations, patients may have to stay isolated in the hospital for about 24 hours to avoid exposing other people to radiation, especially if there are young children living in the same home.
Can thyroid come back after radioactive iodine treatment?
In almost all cases, your thyroid hormone levels will return to normal or below normal after radioactive iodine treatment. This may take 8 to 12 weeks or longer. If your thyroid hormone level does not go down after 6 months, you may need another dose of radioactive iodine.
How bad is radioactive iodine?
After you swallow it, it is taken up by your thyroid gland. Depending on the dosage used, the radioactivity in the iodine destroys most or all of the tissue in your thyroid gland, but it does not harm any other parts of your body.
Is it safe to be around someone receiving radiation therapy?
Some cancer patients who receive radiation therapy worry that their bodies will become “radioactive” after they receive radiation treatment. Their concern is that close physical contact with others could expose them to radiation. “The general answer to this concern is that physical contact is fine,” Snyder says.
How successful is radioactive iodine treatment?
Conclusion: Radioactive iodine treatment is an effective modality for definitive treatment of hyperthyroidism with long-term cure approaching 80\%.
Does radioactive iodine completely destroy the thyroid?
Treatment Overview Radioactive iodine is a medicine that you take one time. After you swallow it, it is taken up by your thyroid gland. Depending on the dosage used, the radioactivity in the iodine destroys most or all of the tissue in your thyroid gland, but it does not harm any other parts of your body.
Do I have to stay away from people after radiation?
The radiation travels a very short distance, so the effects are mostly to the tumor. However, you may have to limit contact with other people for up to one week after treatment. It is especially important to avoid close contact with children and women who are pregnant.
Can radioactive iodine be used to treat anaplastic thyroid cancer?
Radioactive iodine therapy cannot be used to treat anaplastic (undifferentiated) and medullary thyroid carcinomas because these types of cancer do not take up iodine. Preparing for RAI therapy For RAI therapy to be most effective, you must have a high level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH or thyrotropin) in the blood.
Can radioactive iodine therapy help people live longer?
Radioactive iodine therapy helps people live longer if they have papillary or follicular thyroid cancer (differentiated thyroid cancer) that has spread to the neck or other body parts, and it is now standard practice in such cases.
Is radioactive iodine the best treatment for hyperthyroidism?
Unlike antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine is a permanent and more reliable cure for hyperthyroidism. Radioactive iodine therapy can destroy all or part of the thyroid gland, depending on need.
Can you eat eggs with radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer?
Radioactive Iodine (Radioiodine) Therapy for Thyroid Cancer. Most doctors also recommend that the patient follow a low iodine diet for 1 or 2 weeks before treatment. This means avoiding foods that contain iodized salt and red dye #3, as well as dairy products, eggs, seafood, and soy.