Your
Therapy with
Radioactive Iodine
for Hyperthyroidism
(Overactive Thyroid)
_____________________
A Patient Education Series from
The Department of Radiology
Thank you for choosing Wake Forest University Health Sciences. Please let us know if you have questions or concerns or do not understand the information we give you. Always ask us to explain words or phrases you do not understand.
Your doctor has recommended treatment with radioactive iodine. This sheet will review what you can expect before, during and after your treatment with radioactive iodine.
What is radioactive iodine?
Radioactive iodine (I-131) is a substance used to destroy overactive thyroid tissue with radiation. At Wake Forest University Health Sciences (WFUHS), it is given in a capsule form and taken by mouth. It is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and taken up by thyroid tissue. After you take the capsule, you will be asked to follow special instructions to reduce radiation exposure to other people and to contain any excreted radioactive iodine.
How do I get ready for my therapy with radioactive iodine?
If you are taking anti-thyroid medications, you will be asked to stop certain medications three to five dayes before your study.
What will happen prior to my treatment?
You will have a thyroid uptake study in nuclear medicine. It is important that you do not eat breakfast this morning. You will meet with your nuclear medicine physician who will go over your medical history, perform a physical examination, and explain the procedure. You will likely have lab work done. You will take a small dose of radioactive iodine in capsule form.
At 4 hours or 24 hours later, you will have an uptake count of the amount of radioactive iodine in your thyroid. You will sit in an examination room with a tube- shaped device that will count the uptake. This should take about 15 minutes. Then, you will meet with your nuclear medicine physician who will determine if radioactive iodine is indicated.
What will happen during treatment?
Once your nuclear medicine physician has determined that radioactive iodine is indicated in your case, the therapy dose of radioactive iodine will be ordered from the pharmacy. It usually takes 2 to 3 hours for the capsule to arrive in nuclear medicine. We will review the informed consent form, which reviews common side effects of the treatment, including the high likelihood of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). You will be asked to sign the informed consent. Radiation safety precautions will be reviewed with you and a copy will be given to you to take home. You will be asked to sign the radiation safety precautions form.
Why do I need to follow radiation safety precautions?
Radiation safety precautions are followed to reduce environmental contamination by bodily fluids (urine, feces, saliva, menstrual blood, tears, mucus, wounds, and ostomies) that contain radioactive iodine and to reduce radiation exposure to family members, friends, and the general public.
Your nuclear medicine physician will advise you on the number of days to follow each radiation safety precaution.
For a list of radiation safety precautions, click this link:
Radiation safety precautions.
How will I feel after therapy?
Most people do not have side effects from radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism. Rarely, severe neck swelling and tenderness can occur. If this happens, call the Nuclear Medicine clinic. The risk of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is high. Long-term follow-up for hypothyroidism will need to be done by your doctor. Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism will be reviewed with you.
We care about your care!
We understand that you have questions and concerns regarding therapy with radioactive iodine. Please contact the WFUHS Nuclear Medicine Department at (336) 716-3520 with any questions or concerns. We encourage you to make a consultation appointment with one of our Nuclear Medicine physicians prior to therapy for treatment planning if you have several questions and concerns.