Radioactive Iodine Therapy

Radioactive iodine therapy is used to destroy thyroid cells.

Radioactive iodine therapy can be used for thyroid cancer to kill cancer cells that remain after surgery has been done to remove the thyroid gland. It may also be used to treat an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).

Radioactive iodine is usually given as a liquid or capsule that is swallowed.

Current as of: May 12, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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