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A member asked:
Does radioactive iodine destroy the entire thyroid? if so, why?
5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Essentially yes: Iodine is particularly concentrated in the thyroid gland as it is a vital component of thyroid hormone. The radioactivity destroys the cells it is absorbed into as well as some of the surrounding tissue. Some may have a small degree of residual gland function after radioactive iodine, but the intent is to essentially destroy the gland.
Answered 9/16/2015
5k views
RAI...: Radioactive iodine is used for many conditions such as graves disease, thyroid cancer, and hyperfunctioning/autonomous nodules. In each case, a particular dose of radioactive iodine is used to achieve the desired result. Each case is individual and will decide how much of the gland needs to be damaged.
Answered 3/15/2016
4.8k views
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