Are you scared of Radioactive Iodine Therapy? Let's talk about it simply!

Did the doctor tell you that your thyroid gland is overactive (Hyperthyroidism)? Or did he talk about thyroid cancer? One successful treatment that doctors recommend in such cases is radioactive iodine therapy. But it's normal for us to get a little scared when we hear the word "radioactive," right? But this is actually nothing to be afraid of. This is a very safe treatment that specifically targets only the thyroid cells. So let's talk about everything clearly and simply today.

Simply put, what is radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment?

The thyroid gland in our neck needs a nutrient called "iodine" to make thyroid hormones. We usually get this iodine from the foods we eat, especially iodized salt.

In this treatment, we give the body iodine (medically called Iodine-131) to which we have added a special radioactive property. The thyroid gland loves iodine very much. Therefore, this special iodine is directly absorbed. Then, due to the radioactivity of that iodine , only the hyperactive cells or cancer cells in the thyroid gland are selectively saved and destroyed. This does not have much effect on other cells in the body. This is usually given as a capsule or as a liquid.

For what situations is this treatment recommended?

This treatment is mainly used for two medical conditions.

1. Hyperthyroidism

Sometimes the entire thyroid gland produces too much hormone. This is also called ``Graves' disease''. Or the gland can develop nodules and become overactive. In such cases:

• If antithyroid medications don't work or you can't take them.
• If having surgery (Thyroidectomy) is risky based on your health condition.
• If the doctor decides this is the most appropriate for other reasons.

After this treatment, your thyroid gland will be permanently disabled, so you will need to take thyroid hormone pills (Levothyroxine) every day for the rest of your life. It's very simple and manageable.

2. Some types of thyroid cancer

This treatment is very successful for the types of thyroid cancer called `Papillary` and `Follicular`.

• To destroy any small cancer cells remaining after surgery.
• If the cancer has spread (metastasized) to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, destroy those cells.

Are there people for whom this treatment is not suitable?

Yes, some people are not given this treatment.

• For pregnant mothers: Radioactive iodine can cross the placenta and affect the baby in the womb.
• For breastfeeding mothers.
• For those with severe thyroid eye disease (Graves' ophthalmopathy).
• For people with severely elevated thyroid hormone levels (severe thyrotoxicosis).
• For those who have vomiting or diarrhea (because the medicine can leave the body too quickly).

How do you prepare before treatment?

Your doctor will explain all the details about this in advance. They will usually tell you to do things like this:

• Blood tests: Check thyroid hormone levels.
• Stopping medication: If you are taking medications to control your thyroid, such as Propylthiouracil or Methimazole, you will be asked to stop taking them about a week before the treatment.
• Low-iodine diet: It is recommended to eat a low-iodine diet for one or two weeks. This means cutting back on things like iodized salt, seafood, and dairy products.
• TSH injection: Sometimes, a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) injection may be given to help the thyroid gland absorb iodine better.
• Pregnancy test: This will confirm that you are not pregnant before treatment.

After treatment... the most important things to be careful about!

This is the part of the treatment you need to pay the most attention to. For a few days after the treatment, your body will release a small amount of radioactivity (especially in your urine, sweat, and saliva). While this is not harmful to you, it is not good for others, especially pregnant women and young children . Therefore, you should follow the doctor's instructions exactly.

How long you should follow these instructions will vary depending on the dose of medication you received. Your doctor will tell you this clearly.

What are the side effects and risks?

Most people don't experience any major side effects, but some people may experience things like:

• Short-term side effects:
• Pain and swelling in the neck area.
• Swelling of the salivary glands (may look like swollen cheeks).
• Dry mouth.
• Changes in taste.
• Dry eyes.
• Gastritis.

Things like chewing gum or tearing a sweet toffee can provide relief from these symptoms.