Radioactive iodine therapy
Radioactive Iodine Therapy
Radioactive iodine therapy (pronounced: ray-dee-oh-ak-tiv eye-o-dine ther-uh-pee) is a form of medical treatment that uses a radioactive isotope of iodine to treat conditions affecting the thyroid gland.
Etymology
The term originates from the words 'radioactive', which refers to the emission of ionizing radiation or particles, 'iodine', a chemical element with the symbol I and atomic number 53, and 'therapy', which refers to the treatment of disease.
Procedure
The procedure involves the oral administration or injection of radioactive iodine, usually iodine-131. The iodine is absorbed by the thyroid gland where it begins to destroy the gland's cells. This therapy is commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism and certain types of thyroid cancer.
Side Effects
Potential side effects of radioactive iodine therapy may include dry mouth, nausea, swollen salivary glands, and changes in taste. In rare cases, it may lead to a decrease in fertility or changes in menstrual cycle in women.
Related Terms
- Iodine-131: A radioactive isotope of iodine used in this therapy.
- Hyperthyroidism: A condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone.
- Thyroid cancer: A type of cancer that starts in the thyroid gland.
- Thyroid gland: A butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck that produces thyroid hormones.
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.