“Is radioactive iodine treatment risky?”

IS I-131 RADIOACTIVE IODINE RISKY? It has been used for over 70 years and there has been very few problems. I prefer lifelong tapazole therapy for patients however I-131 has its benefits. The Grave's disease is gone. Hypothyroidism which develops is easy to treat.

Radioiodine treatment has been the treatment of choice for overactive thyroid diseases and thyroid cancer for over 85 years. At the doses used to treat an overactive thyroid; there are no long-term consequences and has been used on children as well as the elderly. The risks of untreated hyperthyroidism are far greater than taking a single dose of Radioactive iodine. Radioactive Iodine is generally safer than taking medications to block thyroid hormone production long term.

Radioactive iodine treatment for the thyroid is generally safe, but there are some potential risks, including radiation exposure, temporary worsening of symptoms, and the development of hypothyroidism. Consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice. To learn more, connect with me at drjeromepuryear.com. Thank you!

Radioiodine should not be given to pregnant or lactating women. It is also contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe or sight-threatening thyroid eye disease (Graves' orbitopathy). After radioiodine, all patients require monitoring for hypothyroidism or persistent hyperthyroidism. We measure serum free T4, total T3, and TSH at four to six weeks after radioiodine and then at four- to six-week intervals thereafter, depending upon the results of prior testing and change in thyroid size.
Approximately 10 to 20 percent of patients fail the first radioiodine treatment. In patients with treatment-resistant Graves' disease (persistent hyperthyroidism six months following radioiodine), we typically administer a second dose of radioiodine. If the response to the first dose of
radioiodine has been minimal and a large goiter persists, a second dose can be administered earlier, eg, four months after the initial dose