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Graves' Disease After Radioiodine Treatment

Graves disease, also known as hyperthyroidism, is an autoimmune thyroid disorder, which means it is caused by the immune system's mistakenly attacking the thyroid. Treatment for Graves' disease can range from antithyroid medications to radioactive iodine to surgery. Antithyroid medications and radioactive iodine will reverse the thyroid function and will make the thyroid underactive instead of being overactive.

  1. Radioiodine Treatment

    • Also referred to as radioactive iodine treatment, the radioiodine has excess energy. This excess energy is radioactive and concentrates in certain cells of the thyroid gland. Radioiodine treatment is given to the patient with Graves' disease either through a tasteless solution in a glass of water or through a capsule.

    Hyperthyroidism

    • The thyroid needs iodine to make the thyroid hormone. In an individual with Graves' disease the thyroid is over-stimulated and the cells make too much of the hormone. These excess hormones are then in the blood stream which causes the hyperthyroidism and symptoms such as shaking, fast heart rate, loss of weight and difficulty sleeping.

    Effects

    • The effects of radioiodine treatment can be the individual's metabolism returning to normal. During the period of hyperthyroidism, the individual experienced an increased rate of metabolism ,which may have led to weight loss. Once radioiodine treatment begins the individual will notice a decreased metabolism; however, the individual will also notice a decreased appetite.

      Side effects often occurring immediately after the treatment are sore throat and swollen salivary glands. Nausea may also occur after a radioiodine treatment.

    Significance

    • The goal of radioiodine treatment for Graves' disease is to destroy the thyroid so it does not produce too much of the thyroid hormone anymore. Therefore the patient will take a pill of a thyroid hormone called T4 every day for the rest of his life.

    Prognosis

    • The average length of time that it takes to cure Graves' disease is about three months, sometimes as long as six months. If the Graves' patient has not seen enough improvement, a second radioiodine treatment may be required. Sometimes a third radioiodine treatment has been required.

      An individual can expect the way his body feels to return to normalcy within two to four weeks after treatment. The ways in which individuals with Graves' disease may experience their body returning to normal are by their strength improving, their tremors and shaking decreasing and their sleep being more restful.

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