Tag: Iodine 131

Under normal circumstances, food does not contain radioactive iodine, but a specialized low-iodine diet is required before receiving therapeutic radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment. This temporary diet prepares the thyroid to effectively absorb the medical isotope I-131. Understanding which foods are naturally high in iodine is critical for the treatment's success.

Radioactive iodine (I-131) treatment has been used safely and effectively in the UK for over 70 years for various thyroid conditions. This nuclear medicine therapy uses a radioactive form of iodine to target and destroy overactive or cancerous thyroid cells, providing a long-term solution for many patients. The treatment is administered orally and is highly targeted to the thyroid gland, which naturally absorbs iodine from the bloodstream.