Nuclear Medicine - Radioiodine (I-131 ) Therapy for Hyperthyroidism
Radioactive Iodine I-131 (also called Radioiodine I-131) therapy is a treatment for an overactive thyroid, a condition called hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism can be caused by Graves’ disease, in which the entire thyroid gland is overactive, or by nodules within the gland which are locally overactive in producing too much thyroid hormone.
Radioactive iodine (I-131) is an isotope created from iodine to emit radiation for medical use. When a small dose of I-131 is swallowed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and concentrated from the blood by the thyroid gland, where it begins destroying the gland’s cells. Radioactive iodine I-131 may also be used in treating thyroid cancer.
A radiologist who has specialized training in nuclear medicine and others, possibly including an endocrinologist, oncologist, thyroid surgeon and radiation safety officer, will be part of your treatment team. The RIMA team is headed by Dr. Olga Lyass.
Nuclear Medicine Services: