Radioactive iodine treatment I-131 (RAI)
Helpful information to help prepare for before and after RAI treatment. All too often I hear from people who state they were not given any information prior to RAI. The first they read about cautions is when they are leaving the hospital. Life will be so much easier if you are prepared - how prepared you need to be depends on the dose of RAI given.
Radioactive Iodine (RAI) by ThyCa
A must read. An excellent article with an in depth explanation along with a detailed list of how to prepare for RAI before and what to expect the days and months after treatment.
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Patient Guide to RAI Treatment
"Your doctor has referred you to Nuclear Medicine for treatment of your overactive thyroid gland. This handout will address the questions asked most often or concerns that patients have about this procedure."
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Radioiodine (I -131) Therapy for Hyperthyroidism
Radioactive iodine (I-131), an isotope of iodine that emits radiation, is used for medical purposes. 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.
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"The tale of radioiodine and Graves' Orbitopathy." (a/k/a Thyroid Eye Disease or TED)
"Conclusion: In contrast to ATD, remission of TSH-R autoimmunity after RAI therapy is less common, and RAI for GD is associated with definite increased risk of GO. Oral steroids are beneficial for patients with preexisting GO, particularly smokers."
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Prognosis for fertility and ovarian function after treatment with RAI
"In summary, we found no evidence of decreased fertility in young women under the age of 40 years who were trying to conceive after radioiodine treatment. In keeping with other studies, we found no adverse outcome on subsequent pregnancies."
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