WHICH RADIOISOTOPE IS USED FOR DIAGNOSING THYROID DISORDERS

OVERVIEW:-

Radioiodine therapy is a nuclear medicine treatment. This therapy used to treat an overactive thyroid gland, this condition is called hyperthyroidism. They also may use it to treat thyroid cancer.

• When a small dose of radioactive iodine I-131  it is an isotope of iodine that emits radiation is swallowed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream. The isotope is focused by the thyroid gland, where it begins destroying the gland’s cells.
• Excess thyroid hormone results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism.
• Several different disorders can arise when  thyroid produces too much hormone (hyperthyroidism) or not enough (hypothyroidism.

HYPERTHYROIDISM:-

In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is overactive. It produces too much of its hormone. Hyperthyroidism affects about 1 percent of women. It’s less common in men.

• Nodules on the thyroid — a condition called toxic nodular goiter or multinodular goiter — can also cause the gland to produce excess hormones.

Too much thyroid hormone production leads to symptoms such as:

• Restlessness
• Nervousness
• Racing heart
• Irritability
• Increased sweating
• Shaking
• Anxiety
• Trouble sleeping
• Thin skin
• Brittle hair and nails
• Muscle weakness
• Weight loss
• Bulging eyes (in Graves’ disease)

HYPOTHYROIDISM:-

Hypothyroidism is the opposite of hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland is underactive, and it can not secrete  enough  hormones.

Too little thyroid hormone production leads to symptoms such as:-

• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Memory problems
• Constipation
• Dipression
• Weight gain
• Weakness
• Slow heart rate
• Coma

The major treatment for hypothyroidism is to take thyroid hormone pills. It is very important to take the right dose, because taking too much thyroid hormone can cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

HOW TO USED RADIOAIODINE THERAPY:-

• Radioactive Iodine I-131 (also called Radioiodine I-131) therapy is a nuclear medicine treatment. It is  used  to treat an overactive thyroid, this condition called hyperthyroidism.
• Hyperthyroidism can be caused by Graves’ disease, in which complete thyroid gland is overactive, or by nodules within the gland which are locally overactive in producing excess thyroid hormone.
• Nuclear medicine uses little amounts of radioactive substance called radiotracers. Physcian use nuclear medicine to diagnose, evaluate, and treat several diseases. 
• These include cancer, neurological ,gastrointestinal, endocrine disorders or heart disease and other conditions. Nuclear medicine exams pinpoint molecular activity.
• The thyroid is a gland situated in the neck that produces two hormones. These hormones regulate body’s metabolism, the chemical process of converting food into energy.
• Radioactive iodine (I-131), an isotope of iodine that spread radiation,it is used for medical purposes.  It is concentrated from the blood by the thyroid gland, where it begins destroying the gland’s cells.

USES OF RADIOISOTOPE SCAN:-

A thyroid scan can be used to identify abnormalities found in a physical exam or laboratory test. It can be used to diagnose:

• Lumps, nodules (cysts), or other growths
• Inflammation or swelling
• An overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism
• An underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism
• Goiter, it is condition in which  an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid
• Thyroid cancer

RECOVERY FROM A THYROID SCAN:-

• After  thyroid scan, you must ask physician for instructions on how to  taking thyroid medication.
• The radioactive iodine in  body is passed when urin pass. Drink more water and urinate after the scan.
• Back to normal diet and activities immediately after any thyroid scan.

RISK OF THYROID SCAN:-

• Allergic reactions of the thyroid scan are extremely rare. The effects are mild may experience mild pain and redness at the injection site for a short time .
• Even though the radiation exposure is minimal and short term, thyroid scans are not advised for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

 AVOID FOOD BEFORE SCAN:-

For any thyroid scan, you may be asked to avoid certain foods that contain iodine for about a week before your procedure. Typically, you shouldn’t eat:

• Dairy products
• Shellfish
• Sushi
• Kelp
• Seaweed
• Iodized salt
• Seasonings that contain iodized salt

THROID SCAN RESULTS:-

Thyroid scan results:-

• A normal thyroid scan indicate no abnormalities in the shape, size and location of the thyroid gland. If you see red colour spots on the image indicate abnormal growths in the thyroid. Normal results from a metastatic scan indicate an absence of thyroid tissue .
• An abnormal thyroid scan may show a thyroid gland enlarged  or buldging out of position, indicating a possible tumor. Abnormal measurements also  show that  thyroid gland collected too much or too little of the radionuclide substance.

Abnormal results of a thyroid scan may also indicate:-

• Colloid nodular goiter, which is a type of thyroid enlargement 
• Painless thyroiditis, which can involve changing between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
• Toxic nodular goiter

CAC SPECIAL MEDICATION FOR THYROID:-

• TRIPHLA SYRUP
• KACHNNAR GUGUL
• THYROHEAL TABLET
• DETOX PREMIUM POWDER