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What Are the Side Effects of Radioiodine?

Radioiodine is a form of therapy used to treat an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism, also called Graves' disease. An overactive thyroid produces too many hormones, resulting in an accelerated metabolism that can lead to weight loss and other health problems.

  1. What is Radioiodine Treatment?

    • Radioiodine is a radioactive iodine in pill or liquid form called iodine-131. After the treatment has been prescribed, you will swallow the pill or liquid. A small dose of radiation enters the bloodstream and starts to attack and destroy the cells of the thyroid gland, eventually destroying it or rendering it useless in less than six months. Some doctors may use a smaller dose of radiation to try to adjust hormone production to normal levels.

    Effects

    • Afterwards, you may feel some pain in the thyroid gland as the treatment works. According to Radiologyinfo.org, the pain feels similar to a sore throat. Your doctor may prescribe an over-the-counter pain medication to help relieve it.

    Warnings

    • Since radiation is involved with this treatment, Radiologyinfo.org recommends you avoid being in close contact with others for a few days, especially pregnant women or children. Some of the radioactive iodine may leave your body through your saliva, feces, perspiration or vaginal secretions. Most of it will be gone in a few days.

    Side Effects

    • After radioiodine treatment you must adjust to life without a thyroid gland. You will have to take thyroid hormones in pill form for the rest of your life. Most pills are taken once daily, and according to Radiologyinfo.org, no other side effects are involved with the treatment.

    Pregnant Women

    • According to The National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service, "Radioiodine therapy is not used in pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding. Radioactive iodine can be harmful to the fetus' thyroid, and it can be passed from mother to child in breast milk." Also, you should avoid becoming pregnant for about one year after treatment.

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