Quick Answer: How Long Does Radioactive Iodine Take To Kill Thyroid?

What are the long term side effects of radioactive iodine?

Possible long term side effectsLower ability to have children (fertility) …

Inflammation of the salivary glands (where spit is made) …


Dry or watery eyes.

Lower levels of blood cells.

Lung problems.

Second cancers..

How quickly can I end up hypothyroid at radioactive iodine?


Can I touch things after radioactive iodine?

Your body will slowly eliminate the radioactive iodine through body fluids such as your saliva, sweat and urine. As this happens, things you touch or people that come near you will be exposed to radioactive iodine, which is unsafe.

Can your thyroid come back after radioactive iodine?

If you have thyroid cancer and you are treated with radioactive iodine, it may take from several weeks to many months for your body to get rid of any remaining cancer cells. Your thyroid nodule is unlikely to grow after being treated with radioactive iodine.

How long does it take for radioactive iodine to work?

Although the radioactivity from this treatment remains in the thyroid for some time, it is greatly diminished within a few days. The effect of this treatment on the thyroid gland usually takes between one and three months to develop, with maximum benefit occurring three to six months after treatment.

Does radioactive iodine weaken your immune system?

Treatment of Graves’ disease patients with radioactive iodide (RAI) can induce two therapeutically important alterations in immune response to thyroid antigens. These may be characterized as a first response and a second phase response.

Do you lose hair with radioactive iodine?

Radioactive iodine does not produce hair loss. Nevertheless, hair loss can be associated with changing levels of thyroid hormone, and may be experienced by some patients with hypo or hyperthyroidism.

How do I clean my house after radioactive iodine treatment?

The iodine-131 will wash out in the laundry….To decrease the spread of radioactivity:If possible, use a separate bathroom.Flush the toilet two times after each use.Men should sit down when urinating.If urine should be spilled/splashed, wash and rinse the affected area three times, using paper towels or tissue.More items…•

How bad is radioactive iodine?

Thyroid Cancer. Radioactive iodine can kill the cells that make up the thyroid gland and thyroid cancer. If thyroid cancer has spread to other parts of the body, radioactive iodine can attack the disease there, too.