Hyperthyroidism and Radioiodine Treatment

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in when the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone. Some people call this condition overactive thyroid.

Radioactive iodine has been used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism for a very long time. Other treatments include antithyroid medications and surgery (removing part of a whole thyroid).

Radioactive iodine involves a patient swallowing a tablet of radioactive iodine (I 131). This is not external beam treatment, which is the most common radiation treatment given.