Radioactive iodine
Iodine
Iodine is a chemical element with the symbol I and atomic number 53. The heaviest of the stable halogens, it exists as a lustrous, purple-black non-metallic solid at standard conditions that melts to form a deep violet liquid at 114 degrees Celsius, and boils to a violet gas at 184 degrees Celsius. …
Hyperthyroidism
Over production of hormones by the thyroid gland located at the front of neck.
- Neck tenderness and swelling.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands.
- Dry mouth.
- Taste changes.
What are the side effects of Rai treatment?
Short-term side effects of RAI treatment may include: 1 Neck tenderness and swelling. 2 Nausea and vomiting. 3 Swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands. 4 Dry mouth. 5 Taste changes.
What is Rai and how does it 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 best way to take Rai?
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. You will be prompted to drink lots of water after taking the pill to flush the remaining radioactive iodine out of your system.
Should I get RAI in addition to thyroidectomy?
Before you get RAI in addition to thyroidectomy, these two factors should be considered: #1. Thyroid cancer has a low risk of recurrence after thyroidectomy. Even without RAI the risk is of thyroid cancer recurrence is very low (5), so adding on the RAI may not further reduce that risk in every patient.
How long does it take to recover from radioactive iodine treatment?
You may have short term changes to your taste and smell. This may not start until you get home. It usually gets better within 4 to 8 weeks. It can help to drink plenty of fluids after your treatment.
What can you not do after radioactive iodine treatment?
Do not share cups, glasses, plates or eating utensils. Wash items promptly after using. Other people may use items after they are washed. Do not share towels or washcloths.
How do you feel after radioactive iodine treatment?
Most people don't feel different after treatment. But a few people may have nausea. Within a few days after treatment, the radioactive iodine will leave your body in your urine and saliva. How long it takes will depend on your age and on the dose you received.
How long is isolation 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.
Will I gain weight after radioactive iodine treatment?
Treatment of hyperthyroidism with RAI or anti-thyroid medications is associated with an increased risk of gaining weight and even developing obesity. This risk is slightly higher with RAI therapy compared to medications.
What is the most common complication of radioiodine therapy?
The most common adverse reaction to medical therapy was a rash in 8 patients, followed by neutropaenia (neutrophils < 1.0 × 109/L) in 6 patients. LFT derangement was reported in 3 patients taking PTU and 1 patient taking carbimazole.
What are the long term side effects of radioactive iodine?
NCI study finds long-term increased risk of cancer death following common treatment for hyperthyroidism. New study findings show an association between the dose of a common treatment for hyperthyroidism and risk of death from solid cancers.
How should I sleep after thyroid surgery?
Head of Bed: Please elevate the head of your bed 30-45 degrees or sleep in a recliner at 30-45 degrees for the first 3-4 days to decrease swelling. The skin above the incision may look swollen after lying down for a few hours.
Does iodine radiation treatment make you sick?
Short-term side effects of RAI treatment may include: Neck tenderness and swelling. Nausea and vomiting. Swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands.
What should I eat after RAI treatment?
Starting from the morning after the RAI Treatment, take 1-2 sour candies after each meal, aiming for ~5 candies per day for 7 days. Lemon juice with tea is a good alternative if you do not like sour candies. Sleep alone for 7 days. Avoid contact with pregnant women and children under the age of 12 for 7 days.
How do I clean my house after radioactive iodine treatment?
The iodine-131 will wash out in the laundry. Vacuuming will pick up hair that is shed, which will have small amounts of radioactivity in it since our heads also sweat. The conservative approach would be to cover the chair with a sheet.
How much water should I drink after Rai?
Patients undergoing RAI treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma are routinely encouraged to ingest about 2 - 3 L (8 - 10 cups) of water a day following treatment with RAI, to encourage diuresis and thus enhancing the elimination of RAI through renal excretion [15].
How do I clean my house after radioactive iodine treatment?
The iodine-131 will wash out in the laundry. Vacuuming will pick up hair that is shed, which will have small amounts of radioactivity in it since our heads also sweat. The conservative approach would be to cover the chair with a sheet.
When can I eat regular food after radioactive iodine?
Drink only water. For 3 days after you swallow the capsule: Follow your low-iodine diet. You may resume your normal diet after 3 days. For 1 or 2 days after your dose: Avoid fatty or rich foods to help ease any nausea.
Can you be around pets after radioactive iodine?
It is safe to be around your cats after you are treated with radioiodine therapy because even if they are in your lap, the exposure is low. People do sweat out the radioiodine, but if you wash your hands regularly, that is very effective in washing away the small amount of contamination on your hands.
Can you drink alcohol after radioactive iodine?
You can restart your usual diet 24 hours after your treatment unless you're given other instructions by your doctor. Keep drinking lots of liquids for 2 to 3 days after your treatment. If you drink alcohol, drink no more than 1 or 2 drinks per day.
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.
How long after RAI can I breastfeed?
Pregnancy should be delayed at least six to 12 months after RAI treatment for thyroid cancer. Breast feeding should be stopped at least six weeks before RAI and should not be resumed. In the days immediately following your RAI therapy, be aware of these general precautions to prevent radioactive exposure to others.
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 ...
What hormones are needed for nervousness?
The thyroid gland needs iodine to make these hormones. The thyroid is the most efficient organ at concentrating iodine.
What is a tracer used for?
A “tracer” dose of radioactive iodine can also be used to track remaining thyroid tissue and/or cancer that could have spread to other parts of the body. These tests show if iodine concentrates in areas that contain thyroid cancer, and whether large amounts of RAI are needed to destroy the tumor implants.
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 are the side effects of RAI?
Temporary side effects of RAI may include: 1 Neck tenderness and swelling. 2 Nausea. 3 Swollen salivary glands. 4 Loss of taste or taste change. 5 Dry mouth/insufficient salivary production. 6 Dry eyes. 7 Excessive tearing from the eyes.
What is the goal of RAI?
Remember that the goal of RAI is to completely destroy your thyroid gland . This destruction of thyroid gland tissue will permanently alter thyroid hormone status in your body. After the procedure, you will be reliant upon thyroid medication for the rest of your life.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 ...
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.
What is radioactive iodine used for?
Your doctor, typically an endocrinologist, may recommend radioactive iodine treatment to treat thyroid cancer or an overactive thyroid gland, also called hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease.
What is the function of the thyroid?
The thyroid efficiently absorbs and concentrates iodine from foods that contain iodine, such as iodized salt, as well as radioactive iodine. Once in the thyroid, radioactive iodine destroys thyroid tissue and thyroid cancer cells.
How to prepare for radioactive iodine treatment?
You can prepare for a radioactive iodine treatment by: Abstaining from sex or using effective birth control to avoid pregnancy before and for up to a year after treatment.
What type of doctor uses radioactive iodine?
The following types of doctors determine the type and dose of oral radioactive iodine used in treatments: Nuclear medicine doctors specialize in using radioactive materials to diagnose disease and guide treatment plans. Nuclear radiologists specialize in using imaging technologies and radioactive materials to diagnose and treat disease.
What is the specialty of a nuclear oncologist?
Nuclear radiologists specialize in using imaging technologies and radioactive materials to diagnose and treat disease. Radiation oncologists specialize in treating cancer and related diseases with radiation. Oncologists specialize in diagnosing, treating and preventing cancer. Pediatric hematologist-oncologists specialize in researching, ...
What is the treatment for thyroid cancer?
Chemotherapy uses medications to slow or stop the growth of thyroid cancer cells. External radiation therapy uses X-ray beams to kill thyroid cancer cells. Surgery removes an overactive thyroid gland.
How long do you have to stay in a hospital for radiation?
You may need to stay in a special room in the hospital for a few days to avoid exposing others to radiation. This will depend on the dose of radioactive iodine and other factors. You will need to take special precautions at home for a short time to protect others from radiation exposure.