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| Why would my physician order this procedure |
As a treatment for an over active thyroid gland. |
| Exam preparation |
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This is a treatment, not a diagnostic test. A special order radioactive iodine capsule will be ordered specific for you.
Your cooperation with the preparation is very important. |
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You are allowed to have clear liquids only for 3 hours before your appointment time. |
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You must be off the following interfering medications for the defined periods:
- PTU or Tapazol: 1 week
- Seaweed tablets (kelp): 2 weeks
- Cytomel or Amiodarone (cardiac med): 2 weeks
- Synthroid or Levothroid: 3 weeks
- Desiccated thyroid or L-thyroxine: 6 weeks
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You must not have an exam with contrast in the time intervals below:
- IVP, gallbladder, angiogram, arteriogram or CT: 2 weeks
- Myelogram with Metrizamide: 2 weeks
- Myelogram with Pantopaque: 2 years
- Bronchogram: 1 year
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Female patients, between the childbearing ages of 12 – 50 years, should have a pregnancy test prior to treatment (unless they have had a prior sterilization procedure).
If you are breast-feeding, you will need to completely stop. |
| What to expect |
A radiologist approved to perform radioactive iodine treatments will explain the entire process including radiation safety issues to you prior to the treatment.
You will be asked to swallow a radioactive capsule with some water. You can still only have clear liquids for about another 2-3 hours.
A report will be sent to your ordering physician. |
| How long will it take |
You will be in our department about 20 minutes. |
| Possible complications or side effects |
A radiologist will discuss possible complications or side-effects with you prior to your treatment. |
| Radiation risk statement |
Studies of the health effects of radiation have shown that high doses of radiation can cause cancer. However, this hospital procedure requires that we inject you with a very low level of radioactive material.
The risk from lower doses of radiation, such as you will receive during this exam, is uncertain. Most scientists believe that the risk is very small. Certainly, the benefits received from the exam far outweigh the small risk associated with this procedure |
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