Side Effects Of Radioactive Iodine For Thyroid Scan

An raiu shows how well your thyroid is functioning.

Side effects of radioactive iodine for thyroid scan.

Some people experience side effects from radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer but these problems usually only last a short time. A radioactive iodine uptake test raiu is typically performed with a thyroid scan to help determine thyroid health and functioning. Radioactive iodine ablation is a proven treatment for hyperthyroidism overactive thyroid gland but is primarily used to treat papillary and follicular forms of thyroid cancer 2 4. You may also have a radioactive iodine uptake raiu test with the scan to measure your thyroid s reaction.

The second type a radioactive iodine uptake test is performed to see if your thyroid is functioning normally and to determine why thyroid hormone levels may be elevated. Radioactive iodine may also affect a woman s ovaries and some women may have irregular periods for up to a year after treatment. The other is called a thyroid scan. You may receive radioactive iodine also known as radioiodine i 131 or rai some weeks after surgery to eliminate ablate any remaining papillary or follicular thyroid cancer cells or normal thyroid tissue that the surgeon could not remove.

If you have neck tenderness over the counter pain reliev. Administered in capsule or liquid form radioactive iodine shrinks the thyroid decreases thyroid function and eliminates thyroid cancer cells by exposing the. Side effects of radioactive iodine the most common side effect of radioactive iodine may seem ironic yet it makes perfect sense hypothyroidism. I 123 harmless to thyroid cells and i 131 destroys thyroid cells the radiation emitted by each of these forms of iodine can be detected from outside the patient to gain information about thyroid function and take pictures of the size and location of thyroid.

The first type a thyroid scan produces a picture of the gland. Iodine in the form of iodide is made into two radioactive forms of iodine that are commonly used in patients with thyroid diseases. Radioactive iodine ablation treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer. The test helps to see how much radioactive iodine your thyroid has absorbed over a certain time period usually six or 24 hours after taking radioactive iodine.

No ill effects have been noted in the children born to parents who received radioactive iodine in the past. Many doctors recommend that women avoid becoming pregnant for 6 months to a year after treatment. The radioactive iodine often kills an excessive amount of thyroid cells leaving the thyroid unable to produce enough hormones the opposite problem you had before.