Radioactive iodine treatment in most European countries and in Russia is used with restrictions. It is mainly used in the USA. Capsules or liquid that contains radioactive iodine are sometimes injected into a vein. However, the most commonly used is the oral method (inside through the mouth).
In Russia and Europe, iodine treatment is carried out in special departments of hospitals equipped with a radiation protection system. In America, therapy is carried out in an outpatient setting. Thus, in the United States, this method is considered economically more advantageous than surgery.
Treatment of the thyroid gland with radioactive iodine has the following mechanism: in the cells of the gland, iodine is selectively accumulated, which provokes their death and replacement with connective tissue.
Element radioisotopes in relatively high concentrations are also present in the mammary and salivary glands, as well as the gastrointestinal mucosa.
Treatment with radioactive iodine does not have a pronounced side effect on nearby tissues. Radiation is mostly represented by beta particles. They are able to penetrate tissue no more than 2.2 mm.
With the destruction of the central sections of the thyroid tissue, in the peripheral areas, the ability to produce hormones is preserved.
During the treatment, certain conditions are met.
Treatment with radioactive iodine involves the abolition of thyreostatic drugs in a few days. This is due to the ability of the means to reduce the effect of the element.
Women in reproductive age (childbearing) undergo an express pregnancy test. In the case of a positive result, treatment with radioactive iodine is not carried out.
In the presence of ophthalmopathy (changes in the eyes), it is recommended to undergo a course of glucocorticoids or external irradiation of the orbits before prescribing therapy.
Depending on the total volume of the thyroid gland, the applied dose is calculated. The determination of the volume of this organ is carried out using ultrasound.
In the presence of concomitant diseases, iodine treatment is performed before starting iodine therapy. Vitamin therapy recommended.
During lactation, a woman is recommended either to cancel breastfeeding for the period of treatment with iodine, or to postpone therapy.
As practice shows, the effect of the applied therapy occurs after two to three months. In some cases, repeated therapy may be required.
It should be noted that, despite the high efficiency of the method used, its safety for some specialists remains in question. Along with this, it is known that radioactive iodine has a short half-life (halving activity) - eight days. This fact does not contribute to prolonged environmental pollution. Thus, for others, patients as a radiation source are not of great danger.
Excretion of radioactive iodine occurs in the urine. In special departments, subject to simple hygiene rules, radiation will not spread.
This therapeutic method is allowed for use in patients over the age of forty - forty-five years. However, today there are prerequisites for changing this testimony and removing the existing restrictions. This is due to the fact that the majority of patients with toxic goiter (diffuse) are women from twenty to forty years old.
The use of radioactive iodine is indicated in case of return of signs of thyrotoxicosis after drug or surgical treatment.
It should be noted that in some cases, this therapy is also used for children.
If the volume of goiter is more than 40 milliliters, the use of radioactive iodine is impractical, since a significant dose is required.