All About Radio Active Iodine Treatment (RAI)

Yesterday I went to see my Thyroid doctor. I got there around 11:45am and my doctor was able to see me around 2:45pm! Grabe ang dami ng nagpapa checkup!

After giving her the laboratory result of my T4 testing, she said that I was doing good and she recommended that I take Radio Active Iodine (RAI) treatment since the thyroid gland is more controlled or ‘relaxed’.

Since, this has been our main objective from the start (some 2 years ago), I agreed.

What is Radio Active Iodine (RAI)?

In a nutshell, Radio Active Iodine RAI is often chosen for treatment of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). RAI is like iodine that can be found in fishes, seaweed, iodized salt and others. The only difference is that, in RAI the iodine is…. radio active.

All initial information that I know about RAI was given to me by my doctor. She told me that RAI treatment will be done orally. It will be in a form of capsule or it can be dissolved in water. It will be digested in the stomach and eventually be distributed in the body via the blood stream.

Things To Avoid When Having an RAI

There are lots of things that someone having and RAI must be aware of and avoid. Since the pill and substance in it are radioactive here are the things that must not be done:

• Keep Your Distance
• Drink Plenty of Water
• For women, don’t undergo RAI if pregnant or breast feeding.

Keep Your Distance

Remember that after taking RAI, you will become radio active. Try to isolate yourself from the rest of the family for at least 11 days! It is said that an arms length is enough if not together in a long period of time, so brief contact is ok. Sleeping together, watching TV and other activities that will require you to interact in much longer time should be avoided.

Drink Plenty of Water

The treated person should drinks lots of liquids, especially water, to help remove the RAI from the system, flush the toilet twice after using it, and be sure to thoroughly clean up any spilled urine. Laundry need not be washed separately unless the treated person has sweated heavily, such as aftertreadmill or exercise.

Reference: endocrinologist.com