Radioactive Iodine
In cases of hyperthyroidism radioactive iodine may be used, especially when antithyroid medication is not effective. Iodine plays a vital role in the general health of the thyroid. Iodine is used by the body to produce thyroid hormone. A thyroid that does not have enough iodine may be underactive. Too much iodine, however, can cause the thyroid to overwork. Radioactive iodine, a type of iodine used to treat an overactive thyroid gland, is a specific type.
The medication is taken by mouth. It destroys thyroid cells that are overactive, which reduces the amount of thyroid-producing hormone. Radioactive iodine can destroy so many thyroid glands that some patients may have an underactive or non-functioning thyroid. They would need to take thyroid hormone supplements in these cases. Radioactive iodine is only used after other conservative treatments have failed.
