Understanding Radioactive Iodine: Effects on Thyroid Growth and Activity

[alara_rc]

thanx for help in advance,

we know that radioactive iodine is given to people to minimize their thyroid growth or plain thyroid activity. This certain iodine 131-53 I, has a half life of 7.56 days. so why would the radiation in the human body decrease at a faster rate than at the calculated rate?

 

[QuantumPion]

thanx for help in advance,

we know that radioactive iodine is given to people to minimize their thyroid growth or plain thyroid activity. This certain iodine 131-53 I, has a half life of 7.56 days. so why would the radiation in the human body decrease at a faster rate than at the calculated rate?

The half-life of a radioisotope does not change. There is a different measure called the biological half life. This refers to how long it takes your body to excrete the material and is unrelated to radioactivity.

 

[sir-pinski]

Thank you for your question. It is important to understand that the rate of decrease of radiation in the human body is not solely dependent on the half-life of the radioactive iodine. Other factors such as the individual's metabolism and the amount of iodine in their body can also affect the rate of decrease.

When radioactive iodine is taken into the body, it is absorbed by the thyroid gland and causes damage to the thyroid cells. This damage leads to a decrease in thyroid hormone production, which is the desired effect in treating conditions such as hyperthyroidism.

The half-life of radioactive iodine refers to the time it takes for half of the radioactive material to decay. This means that after 7.56 days, half of the original amount of radioactive iodine will have decayed. However, this does not mean that all of the radioactive iodine will be completely eliminated from the body in 7.56 days.

The body's natural processes, such as metabolism and elimination, also play a role in reducing the amount of radioactive iodine in the body. The faster a person's metabolism, the quicker the radioactive iodine will be eliminated from their body. Additionally, the amount of iodine in the body can also affect the rate of decrease. If a person has a higher level of iodine in their body, it may take longer for the radioactive iodine to be eliminated.

In summary, the rate of decrease of radioactive iodine in the human body is influenced by various factors and may not always follow the calculated half-life. It is important for individuals undergoing treatment with radioactive iodine to follow their doctor's instructions and to have regular check-ups to monitor their thyroid function.