Hyperthyroidism - Other Treatment
Radioactive iodine is considered by many doctors to be the
best treatment for
hyperthyroidism. You swallow it in a liquid form or capsule, and
the iodine is taken up by your thyroid gland. The radioactivity in the iodine kills
most or all of the tissue in your thyroid gland. But it does not harm any other
parts of your body.
What to think about
Most people are cured of
hyperthyroidism after one dose of radioactive iodine.
drawback of radioactive iodine is that it can damage your thyroid gland so that
your body no longer produces enough thyroid hormone. This is a common result of
treatment. And most people who receive radioactive iodine eventually develop
hypothyroidism (having too little thyroid hormone). If you develop hypothyroidism,
you will need to take
thyroid hormone medicine for the rest of your life.
For more information, see the topic
Radioactive iodine should
not be used by children or by women who are pregnant, women who are
breast-feeding, or women who want to become pregnant within 6 months of
Doctors have used radioactive iodine to treat
hyperthyroidism for more than 60 years. There is no evidence that radioactive
iodine causes cancer, infertility, or birth defects.
- Hyperthyroidism: Should I Use Antithyroid Medicine or Radioactive Iodine?