Hyperthyroidism radio-active iodine
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Hyperthyroidism Microchapters |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Radio-active iodine
In Iodine-131 (Radioiodine) Radioisotope Therapy, radioactive iodine is given orally (either by pill or liquid) on a one-time basis to destroy the function of a hyperactive gland. The iodine given for ablative treatment is different from the iodine used in a scan. Radioactive iodine is given after a routine iodine scan, and uptake of the iodine is determined to confirm hyperthyroidism. The radioactive iodine is picked up by the active cells in the thyroid and destroys them. Since iodine is only picked up by thyroid cells (and picked up more readily by over-active thyroid cells), the destruction is local, and there are no widespread side effects with this therapy. Radioactive iodine ablation has been safely used for over 50 years, and the only major reasons for not using it are pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Often, due to the difficulty of picking the correct dose, the treatment results in an opposite condition - hypothyroidism. This is considered uncommon since the radioiodine has more affinity towards over-active thyroid cells than it does for the normal ones.