Radioactive iodine is usually given in pill form, but it can also be given in liquid form if needed. Some people have trouble swallowing pills. If you do, tell your doctor in Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service (MITS) before your treatment. This is sometimes called the Nuclear Medicine service. Radioactive iodine enters your bloodstream and is taken up by any thyroid- like cells.
What does radioactive iodine do to the body?
This is sometimes called the Nuclear Medicine service. 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 long term side effects of radioactive iodine?
Long term side effects of radioactive iodine treatment vary depending on:
- your age
- other medical conditions
- your dose of radioactive iodine
Does iodine kill cancer?
In laboratory tests, iodine has been shown to kill cancer cells and it acts in the body to enhance the immune system in its search for rogue and pre-cancer cells. Indeed, iodine deficiency is known to cause pre-cancerous fibrocystic disease, which can lead to breast cancer.
When is radioactive iodine really necessary?
Radioactive iodine therapy helps people live longer if they have papillary or follicular thyroid cancer (differentiated thyroid cancer) that has spread to the neck or other body parts, and it is now standard practice in such cases.
Is radioactive iodine injected?
Thyrogen is administered as an injection into your buttock muscle for 2 days in a row. On day 3, the radioactive iodine is administered. When Thyrogen is utilized to test/diagnose possible thyroid cancer recurrence, the injection is given on days 1 and 2.
Is radioactive iodine treatment painful?
Some people may have a feeling of tightness or swelling in their neck for a few days after treatment. This is more common if you still had a large part of your thyroid gland when you have radioactive iodine treatment. Some people also feel flushed. Rarely, people can feel pain in their neck.
How do you prepare a patient for radioactive iodine therapy?
You might need to have a low iodine diet for a few weeks before you have your treatment. This prepares the thyroid cells so that they can absorb the radioactive iodine. All food and drink contains some iodine. A low iodine diet means that you should avoid foods that have a high level of iodine in them.
Do you have to stay in the hospital after radioactive iodine treatment?
Having radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer. Radioactive iodine treatment takes place in the hospital. You usually stay there for a few days until your radiation levels have fallen to a safe level. You will be looked after in a single room, where you stay alone.
Do you lose your hair with radioactive iodine treatment?
Radioiodine does not cause hair loss.
Where do you stay after radioactive iodine treatment?
The iodine-131 will wash out in the laundry....To decrease the radiation dose to others:You should sleep in a separate bed. ... Remain in your home for the first four days.Do not hold young children or spend much time near a pregnant woman.Family members should stay about six feet or more from you.More items...•
How long is isolation after radioactive iodine?
Sleep alone for 7 days unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Avoid kissing and physical contact with others, and maintain a distance of at least 3 feet from women who are pregnant and children under 18 years old.
Do you have to isolate after radiation?
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.
Which is better radioactive iodine or surgery?
Surgery for hyperthyroidism was associated with a lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death as compared to radioactive iodine therapy during long-term follow-up, particularly in men.
Can someone drive me home after radioactive iodine treatment?
Avoid public transportation for the first day following treatment. Limit personal automobile travel with others to only a few hours per day for the first two days following treatment. Keep as much distance as possible between you and other passengers.
Does radioactive iodine affect teeth?
High-dose radioiodine treatment can impair the long-term dental health, depending on the intensity of treatment and individual radioiodine uptake within the salivary glands. Patients should be made aware of salivary gland damage before high-dose radioiodine treatment.
Can I eat after radioactive iodine?
For 2 hours after you swallow the capsule: Do not eat any solid foods. An empty stomach helps your body absorb the radioactive iodine. Drink only water. For 3 days after you swallow the capsule: Follow your low-iodine diet.
How long does it take for iodine to flush out of the body?
Most patients need only one dose before their hyperthyroidism is resolved, which may take a few weeks to several months.
What is the treatment for thyroid cancer?
The most common types of thyroid cancer (papillary and follicular) can usually be treated with large doses of radioactive iodine. (The dosages of RAI are much higher than with hyperthyroidism treatment.) The therapy is usually given after removal of the thyroid gland to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue. A “tracer” dose of radioactive iodine can ...
How does RAI work?
The thyroid is the most efficient organ at concentrating iodine. RAI treats hyperthyroidism by damaging or destroying thyroid cells through radiation. RAI is taken in an oral capsule form. You don’t need to be hospitalized unless the dose is very high, which is rarely needed.
Is radioactive thyroid medicine safe?
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 . Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
Can RAI cause hypothyroidism?
Permanent hypothy roidism (or underactive thyroid, when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones) is an expected side effect of RAI treatment for hyperthyroidism. Fortunately, hypothyroidism is much easier to treat than hyperthyroidism using hormone replacement therapy.
What is the radiation used for thyroid cancer?
The radiation dose used here is much stronger than the one used in radioiodine scans, which are described in Tests for Thyroid Cancer. This treatment can be used to ablate (destroy) any thyroid tissue not removed by surgery or to treat some types of thyroid cancer that have spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
How long after radiation therapy can you go home?
Depending on the dose of radioiodine used and where you are being treated, you might need to be in the hospital for a few days after treatment, staying in a special isolation room to prevent others from being exposed to radiation. Some people may not need to be hospitalized. Once you are allowed to go home after treatment, you will be given instructions on how to protect others from radiation exposure and how long you need to take these precautions. These instructions may vary slightly by treatment center. Be sure you understand the instructions before you leave the hospital.
How long should I take thyrotropin before RAI?
Another way is to get an injection (shot) of thyrotropin (Thyrogen), which can make withholding thyroid hormone for a long period of time unnecessary. This drug is given daily for 2 days, followed by RAI on the 3 rd day. Most doctors also recommend that you follow a low iodine diet for 1 or 2 weeks before treatment.
How to treat RAI?
For RAI therapy to be most effective, you must have a high level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH or thyrotropin) in the blood. This hormone is what makes thyroid tissue (and cancer cells) take up radioactive iodine. If your thyroid has been removed, there are a couple of ways to raise TSH levels before being treated with RAI: 1 One way is to stop taking thyroid hormone pills for several weeks. This causes very low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism), which makes the pituitary gland to release more TSH. This intentional hypothyroidism is temporary, but it often causes symptoms like tiredness, depression, weight gain, constipation, muscle aches, and reduced concentration. 2 Another way is to get an injection (shot) of thyrotropin (Thyrogen), which can make withholding thyroid hormone for a long period of time unnecessary. This drug is given daily for 2 days, followed by RAI on the 3 rd day.
Can you use rai for thyroid cancer?
Discuss your risks and benefits of RAI therapy with your doctor. Radioactive iodine therapy cannot be used to treat anaplastic (undifferentiated) and medullary thyroid carcinomas because these types of cancer do not take up iodine.
Can radiation cause irregular periods?
Radioactive iodine may also affect a woman’ s ovaries, and some women may have irregular periods for up to a year after treatment.
Does radioactive iodine help with thyroid cancer?
Radioactive iodine therapy helps people live longer if they have papillary or follicular thyroid cancer (differentiated thyroid cancer) that has spread to the neck or other body parts, and it is now standard practice in such cases. But the benefits of RAI therapy are less clear for people with small cancers of the thyroid gland ...
What is iodine used for?
Iodine, in the form of iodide, is made into two radioactive forms of iodine that are commonly used in patients with thyroid diseases: 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 ...
Why is iodine important for the thyroid gland?
Iodine is essential for proper function of the thyroid gland, which use s it to make the thyroid hormones. The thyroid is equipped with an active system or “pump” for moving iodine into its cells, where it is concentrated as iodide. The thyroid gland is the only tissue in the body that takes up and holds onto iodine.
What is the I-123 isotope used for?
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. No special radiation precautions are necessary after a thyroid scan or RAIU using I-123. I-131 can also be used to take pictures of the thyroid gland, ...
What is the purpose of I-131?
THYROID CANCER – Large doses of I-131 are used to destroy thyroid cancer cells (see Thyroid Cancer brochure ). This is performed after the remaining thyroid cells ( including any cancer cells) are stimulated by raising TSH levels by either withdrawing the thyroid hormone pills or by treating with recombinant human TSH.
Is rai safe for X-rays?
RAI is safe to use in individuals who have had allergic reactions to seafood or X-ray contrast agents, since the reaction is to the compound containing io dine, not the iodine itself. RAI is given by mouth in pill or liquid form.
When can you stop breast feeding after I-131?
This protects the baby who would otherwise receive radioactive milk and the mother’s breasts which concentrate RAI. Breastfeeding must be stopped at least 6 weeks before administration of I-131 treatment and should not be restarted after administration of RAI, but can be safely done after future pregnancies.
Can RAI cause thyroid cancer?
Hypothyroidism is a common side effect of RAI for hyperthyroidism and always seen after RAI for thyroid cancer. This is usually easily treated with thyroid hormone replacement (see Hypothyroidism brochure ). Some studies suggest a slight increase in thyroid cancers may be seen after RAI treatment for hyperthyroidism.
How long does it take for thyroid to stop taking up radioactive iodine?
If you have too much iodine in your diet, it can stop the thyroid cells from taking up the radioactive iodine. Continue to follow this diet for 24 hours after your treatment is completed, or as instructed by your doctor. Read the resource for more information.
Where does radioactive iodine leave the body?
Most of the extra radioactive iodine will leave your body through your urine (pee), and smaller amounts will leave your body in your saliva (spit), sweat, and bowel movements (poop).
What is the name of the service that takes up thyroid cells?
If you do, tell your doctor in Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service (MITS) before your treatment. This is sometimes called the Nuclear Medicine service. Radioactive iodine enters your bloodstream and is taken up by any thyroid- like cells. The radioactivity destroys the cancer cells.
How long after radioactive iodine therapy can you get pregnant?
Pregnancy and radioactive iodine therapy. Don’t get pregnant or get your partner pregnant for at least 6 months after getting radioactive iodine therapy, or as long as your doctor tells you to. Use birth control after treatment for at least 6 months after getting this treatment.
How to treat thyrotropin alfa?
Your treatment plan will follow these steps that will take place over a few days: 1. On the first day, you’ll have blood tests. After those tests, you’ll see your doctor and get a thyrotropin alfa (Thyrogen ®) injection (shot) to help you get ready for your treatment.
How long before breast cancer treatment can you pump milk?
To prevent having radioactive iodine collect in your breast after your treatment, you’ll need to stop breastfeeding or pumping breast milk at least 6 to 12 weeks before your treatment.
How long does it take for thyroid pain to go away?
This is temporary and usually goes away within 8 weeks after your treatment. Try foods with different flavors to make sure you get the nutrition you need. Discomfort in your neck. This can happen during the first 2 to 3 weeks after your treatment, but it depends on the amount of thyroid tissue still in your neck.
What is radioactive iodine?
Radioactive iodine is a type of iodine that is radioactive – iodine 131 (I-131). It is also called radio iodine. You usually have radioactive iodine as a capsule or a drink.
What are the side effects of radioactive iodine?
Side effects of radioactive iodine treatment can include: inflammation of the salivary glands. dry mouth and changes to your taste. a swollen or tender neck. feeling flushed. feeling sick (nausea) There is a chance of developing an under active thyroid. Speak to your doctor about when they will test for this.
Why is targeted radiotherapy called targeted radiotherapy?
This is known as targeted radiotherapy because the treatment goes straight to the cancer and has very little effect on healthy cells in the body. During radioactive iodine treatment.
How long does it take for iodine to go away from your body?
You'll be checked regularly for the amount of radiation in your body. You can go home as soon as it falls to a safe level for the people around you, usually after about 4 to 7 days.
Does iodine kill thyroid cancer?
Radioactive iodine is an effective type of treatment for cancer of the thyroid gland. This is because the radioactive iodine from the drink or capsule is absorbed into your body and picked up by the thyroid cancer cells, even if they have spread to other parts of the body. The radiation then destroys the cancer cells.
What hormone is used to treat radioactive iodine?
For your treatment to work, one of the hormone levels in your body needs to be high. This hormone is called thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH. A high level of TSH helps any thyroid cancer cells in the body to take up radioactive iodine.
Why is radioactive iodine used for thyroid cancer?
It is a useful treatment in thyroid cancer because the thyroid gland absorbs and stores most of the iodine in your body. The thyroid gland gets iodine from certain foods and uses this to make essential thyroid hormones. Radioactive iodine is a targeted treatment. The radioactive iodine circulates throughout your body in your bloodstream.
How long does it take to stop taking thyroid hormone?
have an injection of a man-made TSH called recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) once a day for 2 days. stop taking your thyroid hormone tablets a few weeks before treatment (thyroid withdrawal) Your healthcare team will explain what you need to do and what is going to happen.
What foods contain iodine?
raw green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli. cakes and biscuits made with eggs or butter. milk chocolate and white chocolate. take away foods, fast foods and restaurant food as their ingredients aren't known and might contain iodine.
Does iodine kill cancer cells?
Thyroid cancer cells in your body pick up the iodine. The radiation in the iodine then kills the cancer cells.
Can you stop breastfeeding while on radioactive iodine?
You should not have this treatment during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You will need to stop breastfeeding before you have treatment with radioactive io dine.
Does iodine kill thyroid cancer?
The radiation in the iodine then kills the cancer cells. It is only suitable for some types of thyroid cancer. It is a treatment for: It can treat the cancer even if it has spread. But even if you have one of these types of thyroid cancer, this treatment may not be necessary or suitable for you. Not all of the cancer cells take up ...
What is radioactive iodine?
Radioactive iodine (often abbreviated RAI) is a therapy used to treat hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. In this procedure, you are intentionally given Iodide, I-131, which emits radiation. Your body then takes up this radioactive iodine into your thyroid gland where the radiation proceeds to destroy thyroid gland tissue.
What is the treatment for thyroid cancer?
The baseline treatment recommended for thyroid cancer is thyroidectomy or complete thyroid removal. This procedure allows for nearly the complete ...
What is RAI surgery?
RAI is a procedure in which radioactive iodine is given with the intent to destroy thyroid gland tissue. There are side effects associated with this procedure (discussed below). Around 50% of patients with thyroid cancer get both thyroidectomy and RAI (6). This leaves another 50% who only get thyroidectomy.
How much iodine does the thyroid gland store?
In addition, your thyroid gland stores up to 15-20 grams of iodine as a reservoir for thyroid hormone production (1) (stores that it can draw upon when necessary). RAI takes advantage of this storage capacity of your thyroid gland.
How does RAI work?
RAI works because it takes advantage of certain aspects of normal physiology. You probably already know that iodine (not the radiated version) is required for optimal thyroid hormone production. Each thyroid hormone has a specific amount of iodide in it (2, 3 or 4 moieties depending on the type of thyroid hormone).
What is the most common use of RAI?
Perhaps one of the most common uses of RAI is as a therapy to treat hyperthyroidism. As we discussed, RAI results in complete and irreversible damage to the thyroid gland. Because of this, you should consider all available options and therapies available to you before you undergo this procedure.
Is RAI a definitive treatment?
It's definitive because after the procedure your thyroid gland will no longer function optimally and your hyperthyroidism will have been treated .
