Radioactive iodine has been used as a treatment for thyroid disorders, most commonly hyperthyroidism, goitres and thyroid cancer since the 1940s. We have a range of general information to help you understand more about this treatment, how it is used and how safe it is. If you have any specific questions about your own treatment, or that of your family member or the person you are caring for, you should always speak to the medical team involved.

For further information please see:

• Guide to Treatment of an Overactive or Large Thyroid Gland with Radioactive Iodine  
• Four factsheets published by the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust which have been written to help people understand more about the treatments and how they work:
  • What is radiation? 
  • Types of ionising radiation
  • Radioactive iodine
  • Radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism
• FAQ: Radiation and Thyroid Cancer
• Information about Radioactive Iodine Uptake Tests (RAIU), also known as a thyroid uptake scan - produced by the British Nuclear Medicine Society
• Read about the history of RAI treatment in the BNMS Molecular Radiotherapy Anniversary Blog
• BTF 'Meet the Experts' webinar about RAI as a treatment for hyperthyroidism (April 2021)  

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