Some questions about uptake scan.

[james122]

I took the radioactive iodine pill today and from what I had read online I thought that I was going to do a test in 4 to 6 hours and then another one 24 hours later but instead I was told to just come back in 24 hours to do one uptake scan only. Does it make any diffrence? Also I have a problem with peeing a lot and also was wondering if all the iodine would just leave through my body causing inaccurate results? Finally I am curious if any part of thyroid will be destroyed by this pill I took even though I have been told that it is a very small dosage. I would love if someone could answer my questions and concerns. Thank you to anyone who responds.

[shaws Administrator]

James, I cannot answer your question but someone who's had the same procedure as yourself will respond

[Weeble1]

I had that treatment in 2014. I didn't have a scan afterwards but wasn't allowed to go close to anyone for 3 or 4 weeks and not allowed to sleep in same bed as my husband for 6 weeks. I don't remember weeing more than usual but it was a funny colour for a while. Think that was excess iodine.

As for destroying the thyroid I am afraid I can't give you good news on that. In my case I was ok for about 7 weeks then suddenly I felt as if I was dying. Wondered what was happening to me so managed to speak to endo on the phone and she saw me next morning as an urgent appointment . I was scared by that to say the least. My thyroid had stopped functioning and she put me straight onto thyroxine . Needless to say I wasn't told before the treatment that this could happen. Since then like so many here I have been battling with doctors etc to try and feel normal again. Apparently so they told me this doesn't happen to everyone. I will keep my fingers crossed for you

[bantam12 in reply to Weeble1]

Weeble I think the original question is about an uptake scan, not RAI treatment which you seem to be talking about, two different procedures. James, hospitals have their own way of doing things so don't worry if it's not the same as you have read online, when I had a parathyroid scan it was done differently to others I had read up on.

[Weeble1 in reply to bantam12]

Didn't know they were both called RAI. Sorry about that James .

[james122 in reply to Weeble1]

Had me concerned for a second there but thank you anyway for responding and I hope you feel better.

[Debeee]

Hi James122, I had RAI ablation after a TT in 2014 then 6 months later had 2 weeks of withdrawal from the t3 I had been on in preparation for an uptake scan (hell on earth) then went to the hospital for a small dose of RAI on the Friday & came back on the Monday for the scan which took about an hour. I had thyca but do know some people are given RAI for other reasons ,hope this helps in some way.

[nightingale-56]

Hi James, I had a RAI Uptake Scan in 1976 and had to go to a Nuclear Radiation Hospital on 3 consecutive mornings. The first morning to take the Radioactive pellet, and then an X-ray. The next morning to have another X-ray and again the third morning. Each X-ray had to be taken at the same time on the dot. I was not told to stay away from anyone, and indeed visited my new-born son in the Special Care Baby Unit at another hospital in the town. Previous to falling pregnant with my second son I had Hyperthyroid treatment. After my son I had a daughter and had to have a quick Sub-Total Thyroidectomy while 14 weeks pregnant with my daughter. This scan measures the amount of Iodine in the Thyroid Gland. Hope all goes well for you.

[james122]

Would peeing alot have a effect on the thyroid uptake scan?

[bantam12 in reply to james122]

The radio active iodine is taken up by the thyroid so peeing shouldn't cause any problems.

[james122 in reply to bantam12]

Ok great,thank you bantam for answering my questions.