What Are the Side Effects of Having Iodine Radiation Ablation?
Radioactive iodine ablation is a treatment used for hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer. The radioactive isotope is given orally, either by liquid or capsule, and gradually shrinks the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine ablation is sometimes performed following surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid gland. It serves to shrink the remaining healthy glandular tissue, which is left behind to preserve the nerve that controls the voice box.
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Considerations
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If you're undergoing iodine radiation ablation, keep in mind that side effects are infrequent and quite manageable. Their frequency and severity must be weighed against the risks of the thyroid condition treated by ablation, according to the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association (Thyca).
Effects
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Some common side effects of radioiodine ablation include a metallic taste in the mouth that can last for a few weeks, nausea that commonly subsides within a couple days, neck tenderness, and swelling of the salivary glands that can last up to a month. To help with the salivary glands, try sucking on lemon drops to stimulate salivation.
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Later Effects
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Other, less common side effects can occur much later following radioactive iodine thyroid treatment. Salivary gland dysfunction is possible, leading to decreased saliva, altered taste sensation, or gum or teeth problems, and some patients may experience a swollen face, similar to mumps, and their eyes may either become dry or tear.
Warning
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Women should not plan to get pregnant for a year following treatment due to an increased risk for miscarriage and the risk for damaging the fetus' thyroid, reports EndocrineWeb. Also, men may experience a decreased sperm count for a year following radioiodine ablation.
Significance
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Removing the thyroid brings on symptoms of hypothyroid disorder, causing the greatest range of side effects. But these are easily treated with daily medication, says Thyca. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, dry skin and hair, cold intolerance, muscle cramping, constipation, irritability, memory problems, decreased libido and menstrual problems.
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