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StatPearls, LLC

  • Dysgeusia
  • Graves Disease
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Thyroid Neoplasms

Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Thyroid Malignancies

Sodium iodide I-131 (131I) is a radiopharmaceutical used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including postoperative treatment of thyroid malignancies and hyperthyroidism. Radioactive iodine therapy primarily uses 131I to exploit the thyroid gland’s affinity for iodine, delivering targeted radiation to destroy overactive thyroid tissue or residual cancer cells. Radioactive iodine therapy is a highly effective postoperative modality for well-differentiated thyroid cancer, serving as adjuvant treatment for known residual malignancies or metastases. This intervention is also used for the ablation of benign thyroid tumors. However, radioactive iodine therapy can cause short-term adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, neck tenderness, swelling, and sialadenitis, leading to dry mouth and altered taste. Long-term complications may include hypothyroidism, radiation-induced thyroiditis, secondary malignancies, although rare, and reproductive effects such as infertility in men and menstrual irregularities in women. Other concerns include the exacerbation of thyroid eye pathology in patients with Graves disease and potential radiation exposure to people nearby, necessitating strict safety protocols. Despite these risks, radioactive iodine therapy remains a cornerstone in managing well-differentiated thyroid cancers and other specific thyroid disorders. The treatment also significantly improves patient prognosis when appropriately applied, underscoring the need for careful patient selection, thorough pretreatment evaluation, and vigilant posttreatment monitoring. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance learners’ competence in identifying patients with indications for radioactive iodine therapy and properly administering this intervention. Participants gain a deeper understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the thyroid gland, thyroid malignancies, indications and contraindications of radioactive iodine therapy, patient preparation, and…

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

AAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 2 creditsAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 2 creditsNursingUp to 2 creditsPharmacyUp to 2 credits

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABPATH — Lifelong LearningUp to 2 pointsABA — Lifelong LearningUp to 2 pointsABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 2 pointsABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 pointsABOHNS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 pointsABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 points

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Cross-Specialty

Relevant across 6 specialties.

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • Credit · Up to 2 credits
  • MOC · Up to 2 points
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

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