Is radioactive iodine harmful?

Is radioactive iodine harmful?

Radioactive iodine (RAI) is treatment for overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and certain types of thyroid cancer. The term “radioactive” may sound frightening, but it is a safe, generally well-tolerated, and reliable treatment that targets thyroid cells so there is little exposure to the rest of your body’s cells.

How long should my husband sleep alone after radioiodine treatment?

Special Considerations after Treatment You should sleep alone for the first 3 to 5 nights after treatment. Avoid personal contact for about 3 to 7 days after treatment. In those first 3 days after therapy, you should stay a safe distance away from others (6 feet away, approximately).

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.

What does radioactive iodine do to the body?

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.

Can radioactive iodine cause other cancers?

Patients treated with radioactive iodine also have an increased risk of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), stomach cancer, and salivary gland cancer.

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 long do you have to stay isolated after radioactive iodine?

You are also required to self isolate for 7 days after your radioiodine treatment in order to minimise the risk of contracting COVID-19 whilst there is still a large amount of radioactivity in your body. A small proportion of people with COVID-19 may become very unwell and require admission to hospital.

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.

What are the long term side effects of radioactive iodine?

Possible long term side effects include:

• Ability to have children (fertility) Some women may have irregular periods after radioactive iodine treatment.
• Inflammation of the salivary glands (where spit is made)
• Tiredness.
• Dry or watery eyes.
• Lower levels of blood cells.
• Lung problems.
• Second cancers.

Will I gain weight after radioactive iodine treatment?

They undergo treated with antithyroid drugs or with medication plus radioactive iodine treatment (RAI). Following treatment for hyperthyroidism, patients will observe a steady weight gain despite not changes in their eating or exercise.

What can you eat after radioactive iodine treatment?

Foods That Are Fine to Eat on the Low-Iodine Diet

• Fresh fruits and fruit juices, except rhubarb, maraschino cherries (if they contain Red Dye #3), and fruit cocktail with maraschino cherries.
• Vegetables, preferably raw and fresh-cooked or frozen without salt.
• Unsalted nuts and unsalted nut butters.

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.

What happens when a radioactive iodine dose exceeds 100 mCi?

Radioactive iodine doses exceeding 100 mCi increase the risk for developing leukemia. ABBREVIATIONS & DEFINITIONS. Radioactive iodine (RAI): this plays a valuable role in diagnosing and treating thyroid problems since it is taken up only by the thyroid gland.

Where does the radioisotope iodine 131 come from?

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.

Are there any side effects of radioactive iodine?

However, usual treatment doses of radioactive iodine were not believed to have this adverse effect. The current study by a Korean group involved over 200,000 patients with thyroid cancer and sheds new light on risk of leukemia after radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer.

What kind of radioactive iodine is used for a thyroid scan?

I-123 is the usual isotope used to take pictures and determine the activity of the intact thyroid gland (Thyroid Scan and Radioactive Iodine Uptake, RAIU), since it is harmless to thyroid cells.