Radioiodine Treatment for
Hyperthyroidism
What is radioiodine?
Iodine is a natural mineral found in your diet. In a radioactive
form it is called radioiodine. When radioiodine is given to any
person it is taken up by the thyroid gland.
When is radioiodine treatment used and what are its benefits?
Radioiodine treatment is usually offered to patients with an overactive
thyroid gland if a course of treatment with tablets does not
lead to a long-term cure.
Radioiodine permanently slows down the thyroid gland, lowers the
level of the thyroid hormone in the blood and cures the patient
with an overactive thyroid gland.
Are there any options?
In some cases the removal of part or whole of the thyroid gland
by undergoing an operation is an option. In others long-term
use of a small dose of tablets can be considered.
The most appropriate choice of treatment is made after discussion
between the patient and the treating doctor.
How is the treatment given?
You will be asked to swallow a colourless and tasteless liquid
or a capsule containing the radioiodine.
You will need to come to hospital on 2 days. On day 1 you will
have a test dose and on day 2 the full dose of radioiodine will
be given.
Your thyroid tablets may need to be discontinued for a few days
before taking radioiodine. Further details about your thyroid tablets
and changes in diet will be sent to you with your appointment letter.
How long will the radioiodine stay in my body and how quickly
will it work?
Most of the radioiodine will be taken up by your thyroid gland
over the next 2 or 3 days. The rest will be passed out in your
urine over the next few days. A tiny amount leaves in saliva and
sweat.
Radioiodine works slowly over a few weeks after it is taken and
you may need to restart your thyroid tablets for a short period
during this time.
Are there any side effects?
Radioiodine can sometimes cause slight discomfort on your neck
and face.
During the first 2 weeks after taking radioiodine there can be
a temporary increase in the level of the thyroid hormone in your
blood. This usually gets better within a few days.
There is a high likelihood that the radioiodine treatment will
result in underactive thyroid gland (8 out of 10 patients may have
an underactive thyroid, 10 years after treatment). This could happen
in a few months or many years after treatment. You will therefore
need regular blood tests following this treatment. An underactive
thyroid condition is easily treated with thyroxine tablets, which
contain natural thyroid hormone and are very safe.
In patients who have an active thyroid eye disease, radioiodine
treatment may lead to a significant increase in eye symptoms, in
5 out of 100 cases. This is more common in patients who smoke.
In view of this risk, radioiodine therapy is usually not given
to patients who already have an active thyroid eye disease.
If it is not possible to avoid radioiodine in such patients, steroid
tablets may be given along with radioiodine, which reduces this
risk to less than 1 out of 100 patients. In patients who do not
have thyroid eye disease before radioiodine treatment, the chances
of developing thyroid eye disease are much lower (1 out of 100
patients).
Can radioiodine treatment cause cancer?
Radioiodine has been used for over 50 years and patients who have
received this treatment have been studied very carefully. The
view is that there is no significant increase in the risk of
developing cancer as a result of this treatment.
Can I have radioiodine if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Pregnant women should not be given radioiodine and breast feeding
needs to be stopped before radioiodine treatment.
It is absolutely essential to avoid pregnancy or breastfeeding
for 6 months after radioiodine treatment.
Male patients should avoid fathering a child for 4 months.
Are there any risks to future pregnancy?
Radioiodine therapy has not been shown to reduce the chances of
pregnancy in future.
It is not known to have any harmful effect on the growth of the
baby in the womb during any future pregnancies.
No harmful effects have been noted on the health of children born
to mothers who have had this treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
One treatment is usually enough in 85 out of 100 patients. If the
thyroid gland remains overactive 3 to 6 months after the first
dose of radioiodine, a second dose (in about 15 out of 100 patients)
and very rarely a third dose may be required (in 2 out of 100
patients).
What precautions do I need to take after receiving radioiodine
therapy? Is there any danger to my family or friends?
Some simple precautions are required to reduce unnecessary radiation
to others. Detailed instructions will be given to you separately.
In general, the following points may apply:
-
If you have children less than 3 years of age, it is
necessary to arrange for them to be looked after for around
2 weeks after receiving radioiodine.
-
Sleep apart from your partner
for a few days.
-
You will need to avoid visiting crowded public places
and journeys on public transport, if the journey exceeds 1
hour.
-
You should set aside a toothbrush, a set of cutlery and
crockery for your own use and wash these separately for 3 days
following treatment.
-
It would be advisable to wear kitchen gloves when preparing
food for other individuals.
How long should I stay away from work?
In general, you can return to work within a few days. This may
be longer if your job involves:
If your job involves any of the above, you must inform the hospital
staff so that you can be advised on when to return to work.
Will I need to see a doctor after the radioiodine treatment?
You should be seen by a doctor at around 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
and 12 months after radioiodine therapy. On each occasion you
should have a blood test during the week before your appointment.
On the day of receiving treatment please ensure that a 6 week
appointment is made and that you obtain a form for a blood test.
What should I do if I have any more questions?
On the day of your treatment you will need to provide written consent
for this procedure. If you have any questions before this please
telephone one of the following contact numbers:
Diabetes Centre: 01902 695310
Medical Physics Department: 01902 695522
Further information can also be obtained from the following website:
www.british-thyroid-association.org |
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