What are the long term side effects of radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism?
Possible long term side effects include:
- Ability to have children (fertility) Some women may have irregular periods after radioactive iodine treatment.
- Inflammation of the salivary glands (where spit is made)
- Tiredness.
- Dry or watery eyes.
- Lower levels of blood cells.
- Lung problems.
- Second cancers.
What happens to Graves disease after Rai?
With currently employed dosing regimens, hypothyroidism is the most common outcome after RAI therapy for Graves’ disease, occurring in up to 80% of patients, the vast majority within the first 6 months.
Is there any side effects of radioactive iodine?
Early complications include gastrointestinal symptoms, radiation thyroiditis, sialadenitis/xerostomia, bone marrow suppression, gonadal damage, dry eye, and nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The late complications include secondary cancers, pulmonary fibrosis, permanent bone marrow suppression, and genetic effects.
Is radioactive iodine safe for Graves disease?
Treatment options include antithyroid drugs, radioiodine therapy (I131) and surgery. Radioiodine is a safe and effective definitive treatment for Graves’ disease.
How long do Rai side effects last?
The RAI that is not taken up by the remaining thyroid tissue is eliminated from the body through your perspiration, saliva, feces, and urine. Most radiation from the RAI is gone in about one week.
Can Graves disease come back after radioactive iodine treatment?
Abstract. The use of radioactive iodine (131I) in the treatment of Graves’ disease results frequently in hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone supplementation. Relapse of Graves’ disease months after inadequate treatment with 131I is well-recognized.
How do you feel after taking radioactive iodine?
Some side effects from radioactive iodine treatment include:
- Metallic taste in your mouth.
- Dry mouth.
- Sore throat.
- Neck pain.
- Nausea or vomiting, which is usually mild.
- Constipation or diarrhea.
- Fatigue.
- Unusually low (hypothyroidism) or unusually high (hyperthyroidism) thyroid levels.
What is the treatment for Graves’ disease?
Some Graves’ patients have achieved remission after years of therapy using anti-thyroid drugs combined with levothyroxine (modified block and replace therapy). [5] Some who underwent RAI treatment suffer from some degree of damage to the stomach, salivary, [6] lacrimal (tear) glands [7] and other organs, because those organs also collect iodine.
What happens to your thyroid when you have Rai?
However, in the initial weeks of RAI treatment for Graves’ disease, blood thyroid levels actually rise, instead of declining. The damage done to the thyroid gland triggers excess secretion of the hormones, T3 and T4, into the bloodstream.
What happens if you take Rai while pregnant?
The damage to the foetal thyroid gland results in hypothyroidism and irreversible mental retardation (44,45). Despite the recommendations for routine pregnancy testing prior to RAI therapy (18,46), pregnant patients are inadvertently given RAI. There are reports of administration of RAI in early pregnancy (45).
Can anti-thyroid drugs improve TSH levels in Graves’ disease?
In fact, the return of TSH in a Graves’ patient on anti-thyroid drugs is a sign that the medication is working. Some Graves’ patients have achieved remission after years of therapy using anti-thyroid drugs combined with levothyroxine (modified block and replace therapy).