What is radioactive iodine therapy?

Also known as: radioiodine therapy, RAI

Radioactive iodine therapy, or radioiodine, is a treatment for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. Among its other functions, the thyroid gland absorbs almost all iodine within the body. By introducing radioactive iodine, the idea is that it will destroy thyroid cells, including cancerous cells, without impacting the rest of the body.

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Reviewed by: Alejandro Diaz, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM