تعريف
Radioactive iodine treatment is used to treat certain thyroid diseases and thyroid cancer. The procedure is done with a radioactive form of the element iodine. Radioactive iodine is taken up by the thyroid gland. There it treats thyroid disease by destroying the cells. The radioactivity is not spread to other parts of the body.
أسباب هذا الإجراء
It may be done to treat:
- Hyperthyroidism —the thyroid gland is overactive
- Certain types of cancers such as thyroid cancer
المضاعفات المحتملة
Possible side effects and complications of radioactive iodine therapy include:
- Inflammation of the salivary glands causing painful cheeks and dry mouth
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- فم جاف
- إلتهاب الحلق
- Pain in the neck
- الغثيان أو القيء
- تعب
- Flushing
- Tightness in throat
- Abnormally high or abnormally low thyroid hormone levels
Pregnant women are at an increased risk of complications. The procedure may be harmful to the fetus. It should not be done in pregnant women. Nursing mothers should stop breastfeeding for at least a week after the procedure.
ما يمكن توقعه
قبل الإجراء
- If advised by your doctor, eat a special diet. Your doctor may want you on a special low iodine diet prior to the procedure. This may help your procedure to be more successful.
- Talk to your doctor about your medicines. Some thyroid hormone medicine should be discontinued four weeks before the procedure. Other medicines used to treat hyperthyroidism should be discontinued 5-7 days before the procedure.
- For two hours before the procedure, do not eat or drink anything. Water may be allowed.
- If you are a woman of childbearing age, the doctor will do a pregnancy test.
- A thyroid uptake and scan may be done before the treatment.
وصف الإجراء
You will be given some tablets or liquids that contain radioactive iodine. You will swallow the tablets. The iodine will be naturally taken up by the thyroid.
كم من الوقت سيستغرق ؟
At least an hour
هل سيكون هناك ألم؟
The treatment is painless.
الرعاية ما بعد الجراحة
Any radioactive iodine that is not taken up directly by the thyroid will be passed through the urine. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions . This may include:
- Do not eat any solid foods for at least two hours after treatment. Drink a lot of clear liquids (water or juice).
- For the first 8-12 hours following treatment, use the bathroom every hour. This will help flush the excess iodine from your body.
- Limit your contact with others. Do not enter a room with any infants or children. Stay at least three feet away from other adults. Do not stay near any other adult for more than a few minutes. Do not share a bed with anyone for 48 hours following the treatment.
- Do not share any food, drink, or dishes with anyone for the first week. Do not allow your saliva to come into contact with anyone. Avoid kissing and sexual contact.
- Flush the toilet twice after use.
- Wash hands often and thoroughly.
- Resume normal thyroid medicines 48 hours after the treatment.
The majority of people who undergo the treatment will have their thyroid levels return to normal within 8-12 weeks. However, in a small number of patients, a second dose of radioactive iodine treatment is needed.
A follow-up visit with your doctor will be scheduled 4-6 weeks after treatment. Radioactive active iodine treatment can cause hypothyroidism (low thyroid function). This can occur at any time after treatment. It may be temporary or permanent. Your doctor will need to check your thyroid status every few months until levels are stable.
استدعاء الطبيب
While side effects may occur, they are rarely severe. If the following persist for more than 24 hours, talk to your doctor:
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- فم جاف
- إلتهاب الحلق
- Pain in the neck
- الغثيان أو القيء
- تعب
- Flushing
- Tightness in throat
- Constipation or diarrhea
في حالة الطوارئ ، اتصل على المساعدة الطبية على الفور.