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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.

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What does potassium iodide do for you in a nuclear accident?

A nuclear event, such as an accident or war, is likely to produce a lot of radioactive iodine. The thyroid gland concentrates iodine, so any iodine that gets into a person's body is likely to end up there. The potassium iodide tablets provide more iodine than the thyroid can use, so the radioactive iodine is not so likely to be retained in the body. So the potassium iodide reduces exposure to radioactivity. It protects only the thyroid, and it only protects that against radioactive iodine, but it is better than nothing.


Why aren't other tissues affected by radioactive iodine?

Radioactive iodine is taken up by the thyroid gland because it is the only tissue in the body that can absorb and store iodine to make thyroid hormones. Other tissues do not have this ability, so they are not affected by radioactive iodine treatment.


Is irradiation the same as radioactive iodine?

No, irradiation and radioactive iodine are not the same. Irradiation is the process of exposing something to radiation, while radioactive iodine is a form of iodine that emits radiation and is used in medical treatments, such as for thyroid conditions.


What do Iodine and radioactive have in common?

Iodine can exist in a radioactive form, known as radioiodine. Radioiodine is commonly used in medical applications, such as imaging and treatment of thyroid conditions. Both forms of iodine can have similar chemical properties, but radioiodine poses additional health risks due to its radioactive nature.


What is true of iodine and radioactive iodine a-Both have the same atomic number b-Both have the same number of electrons c-Both have the same number of neutrons d-None of the ab?

both a and b are true for iodine and radioactive iodine isotope

Related Questions

Will the parathyroid be destroyed in radio-iodine treatment?

No, the parathyroid glands are not typically affected by radio-iodine treatment. The main target of radio-iodine therapy is the thyroid gland, as it absorbs and concentrates the radioactive iodine. The parathyroid glands, located near the thyroid gland, are not involved in this process.


Is iodine-127 radioactive?

No, iodine-127 is not radioactive. It is a stable isotope of iodine, which means it does not undergo radioactive decay and does not emit harmful radiation.


Is Iodine a non-radioactive metal?

No: Iodine is not a metal at all, but a nonmetal. It is not necessarily radioactive, but has some radioactive isotopes.


What is iodine-131?

Iodine-131 is a radioactive isotope of the element iodine.


What does potassium iodide do for you in a nuclear accident?

A nuclear event, such as an accident or war, is likely to produce a lot of radioactive iodine. The thyroid gland concentrates iodine, so any iodine that gets into a person's body is likely to end up there. The potassium iodide tablets provide more iodine than the thyroid can use, so the radioactive iodine is not so likely to be retained in the body. So the potassium iodide reduces exposure to radioactivity. It protects only the thyroid, and it only protects that against radioactive iodine, but it is better than nothing.


What can iodine tablets do against radiation?

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.


Why aren't other tissues affected by radioactive iodine?

Radioactive iodine is taken up by the thyroid gland because it is the only tissue in the body that can absorb and store iodine to make thyroid hormones. Other tissues do not have this ability, so they are not affected by radioactive iodine treatment.


Can you smoke while on radioactive iodine?

no


What is the half life of radioactive iodine?

The answer is simple it is 8 days for iodine-131 but it depends on what isotope you are talking about


Is irradiation the same as radioactive iodine?

No, irradiation and radioactive iodine are not the same. Irradiation is the process of exposing something to radiation, while radioactive iodine is a form of iodine that emits radiation and is used in medical treatments, such as for thyroid conditions.


What does hyperthyroid disorders treated with radioactive iodine cause?

Basically, radioactive iodine is used to kill cancer cells, and thyroid tissue.


How can you find metastatic papillary thyroid cancer with non-avid iodine uptake?

One of the best ways is with FDG-18 PET scans. This is because non-iodine avid disease is often metabolically super-active and concentrates the radioactive glucose rapidly. This then "lights up " on the PET scan.