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Let us know in this article what is radioactive iodine (I-131)? The most important information about it:

What is radioactive iodine?

It is a type of treatment that falls under nuclear medicine, and is used primarily to treat hyperthyroidism, and it may also be used to treat thyroid cancer.

It should be noted that when a small dose of it is taken, it reaches the bloodstream, and then the thyroid gland absorbs it and increases its concentration in it, which results in the destruction of gland cells.

In general, the thyroid gland absorbs most of the iodine in the body in order to carry out its functions, and this is precisely why radioactive iodine therapy is used to treat thyroid cancer or hyperactivity.

In addition to the above, the treatment with this treatment works to kill and destroy the thyroid gland and the cancer cells present in it, with few side effects.

When is this treatment used?

It is worth noting that radioactive iodine therapy can be used for the following:

Get rid of any cells in the thyroid gland that were not removed in surgery.

Treating types of thyroid cancer that have spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

Treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Helping in the treatment of follicular thyroid cancer and papillary thyroid cancer.

Imaging of the thyroid gland and other organs in the body using low doses of treatment, in order to diagnose any problem with it or determine if the patient is responding to a treatment.

Are there important things when preparing for treatment?

First of all, in order to get the best result from radioiodine treatment, it is important that the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is high in the blood, as it helps to increase the uptake of radioiodine by cancerous thyroid cells.

If you have undergone thyroidectomy, the specialist may give several instructions in order to raise the levels of this hormone before undergoing treatment, including the following:

Stop taking some types of thyroid medications for several weeks, especially those that lower the levels of thyroid hormones, which leads to an increase in the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Thyrotropin injections, which help raise levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Follow a low-iodine diet for a week or two before undergoing treatment.

Follow the doctor's instructions about the steps to take before undergoing the treatment, including not eating and drinking for one night before the treatment.

post treatment

The patient usually returns home after undergoing radioactive iodine treatment, as the body excretes the remaining iodine that the body has not absorbed within a day or two of undergoing treatment, mainly through urine, and the body expels unabsorbed iodine in small quantities through saliva, Sweat, vaginal secretions, and stools.

On the other hand, it is important for the patient to do the following after treatment:

Refrain from prolonged close contact with people for several days, especially pregnant women or young children.

Use private toilets and avoid public ones, making sure to clean the toilet seat twice after you've finished using it.

Shower daily, and wash hands frequently.

Drink a normal amount of fluid.

Use his own eating utensils, or it is possible to use those designated for one use only.

Sleep alone, and avoid intimate relationships for three or four days after treatment.

Wash his clothes, towels and personal items daily and away from other people's items.

Stop feeding a few days before to stop producing milk as well.

Avoid pregnancy from six months to a year after treatment.

Risks and side effects of radioactive iodine

It is worth noting that the patient's body emits radiation for some time after the radioactive iodine treatment, so you may have to stay in the hospital after the treatment for a few days and stay in a separate room from others.

1. Short-term effects

The short-term side effects that may occur as a result of this treatment include the following:

Pain and swelling in the neck.

Nausea and vomiting.

Dry mouth.

change in taste

Swelling of the salivary glands, which can be treated by chewing gum.

dry eyes;

2. Long-term effects

While the long-term side effects may include the following:

Lower sperm counts in people treated with high doses.

Irregular menstruation in women for a period of up to six months.

Slightly increased risk of developing leukemia, stomach or salivary gland cancer in the future.