You can still treat thyroid cancer by using radiotherapy although I do not think its as effective. Alternatively, chemotheraphy could also be used.
Iodine (regardless of whether it is radioactive or not) tends to concentrate in the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine can thus lead to thyroid cancer if left unchecked. Fortunately you can generally flush out the radioactive iodine with normal "cold" iodine. We tend to get much of our iodine from salt which is "iodised". Interestingly in some cases when a patient has an overactive thyroid, or indeed in thryoid cancer patients, the thyroid can be chemically ablated by the use of radioactive iodine since it concentrates there naturally.
Basically, radioactive iodine is used to kill cancer cells, and thyroid tissue.
The healthy spouse may suffer symptoms of and need to be treated for hypOthyroidism.
Iodine tablets are used in a nuclear accident to saturate the thyroid with non radioactive iodine. During a nuclear accident, radioactive iodine is released and the critical organ in the human body is the thyroid gland. Therefore if the thyroid is already full of non radioactive iodine the radioactive iodine can not be absorbed.
Radioactive iodine is a treatment option used for those with hyperthyroidism and the thyroid autoimmune condition Graves' disease. Radioactive iodine treatment can also be used for those dealing with thyroid cancer. It is given orally, usually in a capsule form, and absorbed in the bloodstream. It then enters the thyroid gland and gradually destroys the thyroid cells, which will cause the thyroid to become hypothyroid.Related Article: Radioactive Iodine Treatment and Hyperthyroidism
The thyroid processes iodine.
Addison's disease is treated using the oral administration of radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid cells.
Iodine tablets are taken by individuals who have just been or are being exposed to radioactive materials that include radioactive iodine. In nuclear fission reactors, uranium (or sometimes plutonium) fission to create energy. When these fuel atoms split (fission), there are a number of fission products that can result, including a radioactive isotope of iodine. In a reactor accident that includes a meltdown and the release of radioactive fission products into the environment, radioactive iodine can be present. By taking iodine tablets, an individual who is exposed to radioactive iodine that was released in a nuclear reactor accident can avoid having his body absorb this radioactive material. Taking iodine tablets keeps iodine levels in the body high, and the thyroid gland, which absorbs iodine, high. This effectively prevents radioactive iodine from being absorbed and taken up by the thyroid. As absorbing radioactive iodine can lead to thyroid cancer, taking iodine tablets is a good shield against uptake of the radioactive isotope.
Following radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. says to, "Use separate eating utensils or disposable eating utensils. Wash eating utensils separately for one week. Do not prepare food for others."Related Website: ThyCA - Radioactive Iodine
Radioisotpes are used to treat the thyroid, especially for those who have hyperthyroidism or Graves' disease. Radioiodine is swallowed by a patient and then it is absorbed by the thyroid. The radioiodine eventually kills thyroid cells. This helps patients with an overactive thyroid by slowing down the production of thyroid hormones.
The thyroid gland absorbs iodine. As some radioactive iodine is being emitted into the environment from the reactor accident at Fukushima, Japan, there is a chance that people's thyroid glands will absorb the radioactive iodine. That is unless those people saturate their glands with enough non-radioactive iodine first so that the thyroid cannot absorb any more.
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