Thyroid Conditions - What to Expect from Radioactive Iodine Treatment
When treating certain thyroid conditions, sometimes it may be necessary for doctors to use radioactive iodine. So, the first question a patient should have is what exactly is radioactive iodine (RAI) and what are the risks?
As the ATA (American Thyroid Association) explains, RAI is iodine made into a radioactive substance for medical use. There are two types: I-123 and I-131. It is taken orally and is absorbed in the body like regular iodine. In the form of I-123, RAI is nondestructive. When in the form of I-131; however, RAI will destroy thyroid cells. Any excess RAI will be discarded from the body through either sweat or urine.
Kodak Moment
So you’re going in for imaging of your thyroid, eh? Well, you might have to take a dose of RAI. Don’t worry, it will only be a very small dose – enough so that the camera used can indicate where the radiation is. While the radiation assists with getting a clear picture, it also helps out with letting medical staff know the level of activity there is in the thyroid gland. And lastly, no, I-123 doesn’t have weird side affects. The ATA reports that I-123 is just about as harmless as taking a regular x-ray.
More Intense Treatment
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