Your thyroid gland absorbs nearly all of the iodine in your body. Because of this, radioactive iodine (RAI, also called I-131) can be used to treat
thyroid cancer
.
When Can radioactive iodine be used to treat disease?
Radioactive iodine is often recommended if you have
Graves’ disease
and are older than 50, or if you have thyroid nodules (toxic multinodular goiter) that are releasing too much thyroid hormone. Radioactive iodine is not used if: You are pregnant or you want to become pregnant within 6 months of treatment.
Can a thyroid grow back after radioactive iodine?
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.
Do I still have Graves disease after Rai?
| Case Characteristics Sequence of thyroid status events | 2 RAI uptake: 84.1% • transient hypothyroidism (short lived) |
|---|
What is radioactive iodine 131 used for medically?
I-131 is used in
medicine to diagnose and treat cancers of the thyroid gland
. Where does it come from? I-131 is produced commercially for medical and industrial uses through nuclear fission. It also is a byproduct of nuclear fission processes in nuclear reactors and weapons testing.
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.
How do I clean my house after radioactive iodine treatment?
- If possible, use a separate bathroom.
- Flush the toilet two times after each use.
- Men should sit down when urinating.
- If urine should be spilled/splashed, wash and rinse the affected area three times, using paper towels or tissue.
- Be sure to carefully wash your hands after using the bathroom.
What are the long term side effects of radioactive iodine?
Longer-term complications include
recurrent sialoadenitis associated with xerostomia, mouth pain, dental caries, pulmonary fibrosis, nasolacrimal outflow obstruction, and second primary malignancies
. This article summarizes the common complications of RAI and methods to prevent and manage these complications.
Can you be around someone who has had radioactive iodine?
You will be advised to
sleep alone
for the first few days after your treatment. During this period, you should avoid kissing or sexual intercourse. Also avoid prolonged physical contact with others, particularly children and pregnant women.
How long does radioactive iodine stay in your body?
The radioiodine from your treatment will temporarily remain in your body. Most of the radioiodine not taken up by your thyroid gland will be eliminated
within the first (2) two days
after treatment. Radioiodine leaves your body primarily by your urine. Very small amounts may leave in your saliva, sweat, or feces.
Can you live a long life with Graves disease?
Patients who develop thyroid storm have a 20 to 50% chance of dying. In general, if your hyperthyroidism is caught early and you control it well with medication or other options, experts say your
Graves’ disease life expectancy and prognosis is favorable
.
What causes Graves disease to flare up?
Emotional or physical stress
. Stressful life events or illness may act as a trigger for the onset of Graves’ disease among people who have genes that increase their risk. Pregnancy. Pregnancy or recent childbirth may increase the risk of the disorder, particularly among women who have genes that increase their risk.
Does Graves disease ever go away?
Graves’ disease is a lifelong condition
. However, treatments can keep the thyroid gland in check. Medical care may even make the disease temporarily go away (remission): Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers, such as propranolol and metoprolol, are often the first line of treatment.
How bad is radioactive iodine?
As iodine-131 builds up in the thyroid gland, it emits bursts of radiation that
can damage DNA and other genetic material
. Such damage can remove the normal limits to cell growth and division. Unchecked growth of thyroid tissue is thyroid cancer.
What does radioactive iodine do to the body?
Radioactive iodine
enters your bloodstream
and is taken up by any thyroid- like cells. The radioactivity destroys the cancer cells. The radioactive iodine gives off radiation nearby and destroys the cancer cells over time.
What are the dangers of iodine-131?
I-131 collects in the thyroid gland. People exposed to I-131, especially during childhood, may have an
increased risk of thyroid disease
, including thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is uncommon and is usually curable. Typically, it is a slow-growing cancer that is highly treatable.
