1. Iodine 131
Medical Uses

2. What is it? Radioisotope Emits Beta particles and weak gamma rays
Has a half life of eight days
Used to treat hyperthyroidism and some thyroid cancers
What is it?

3. What is it? In pure form is a solid
Purple-black crystals
When heated, turns directly into a gas, skipping the liquid stage
Is produced commercially – is a by-product of nuclear fission
What is it?

4. Uses in Medicine Used to treat hyperthyroidism
Used to treat some thyroid cancers
Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Iodine is absorbed by the thyroid gland, meaning that the radiation will not effect other parts of the body.
Uses in Medicine

5. Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland is overactive, meaning that metabolism happens very quickly.
Previous treatments involve surgery to remove the thyroid gland
Hyperthyroidism

6. Hyperthyroidism Treatment using Iodine 131:
Patient swallows one predetermined dose of I-131
Patient is kept in isolation for several days – allows radiation to wear off
Once released, patients are encouraged to stay away from small children and pregnant women, as some radiation will remain for 3-6 months.
Patients normally only require one dose, but sometimes a second is needed
I-131 completely destroys the thyroid gland. Thyroid tables are needed to be taken for the rest of the patients life.
Hyperthyroidism

7. Thyroid cancer Can only be used to treat two types of Thyroid cancer
Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Treatment is the same as Hyperthyroidism
Thyroid cancer

8. Department of Health and Human Services. 2004
Department of Health and Human Services Radioisotope Brief Iodine 131. [ONLINE] Available at: emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/isotopes/pdf/iodine.pdf. [Accessed 14 August 12].
Ansto Nuclear medicines and radioisotopes. [ONLINE] Available at: [Accessed 16 August 12].
News Medical Iodine-131 Medical Use. [ONLINE] Available at: [Accessed 18 August 12].
US Environmental Protection Agency Iodine. [ONLINE] Available at: [Accessed 19 August 12].
Radiologyinfo.org Radioiodine (I -131) Therapy for Hyperthyroidism. [ONLINE] Available at: [Accessed 19 August 12].
Wikipedia Iodine-131. [ONLINE] Available at: [Accessed 19 August 12].
Sources