Abstract:
Iodine is essential for proper function of the
thyroid gland, which uses it to make the thyroid hormones. The
thyroid is equipped with an active system called “Na+
/Ithyroid symporter pump” for moving iodine into its cells. Because the
ability of thyroid cells to take up radioiodine I-131 or RAI exactly
like iodine, it has been used by medical professionals to diagnose
and treat various thyroid diseases. RAI that is not concentrated
in the thyroid gland is eliminated from the body through sweat
and urine. However, I -131 has unique beta and gamma emitting
properties with a half-life of about eight days; the beta radiation
can be used in high dose for destruction of thyroid nodules and
for elimination of remaining thyroid tissue after surgery for the
treatment of Grave's disease and differentiate thyroid cancer,
and the gamma radiation allows for imaging and uptake
measurement.
