I used to remember this but not anymore...
Why does iodide work for hyperthyroidism? I am sure someone here would know the answer.
Why does iodide work for hyperthyroidism? I am sure someone here would know the answer.
Iodine to treat hyperthyroidism
- Thread starter cheruka
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In thyroid storm, Lugol's solution (potassium iodide) is given as a component of therapy. It inhibits the action of TSH at the thyroid gland and inhibits the organic coupling of iodide. This is called the wolff-chaikoff effect.
For hyperthyroidism, high dose radioactive iodine (I-131) can be given to ablate the glandular tissue. It is taken up by the gland and actually destroys the functional cells. This therapy can also be used after thyroidectomy (usually for cancer) to try and destroy any remaining thyroid tissue that may have been left.
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The Thyroid can do one of two things, absorb Iodine / consturct T4/T3 or release T4/T3. One, not the other. If you overwhelm the thyroid with Iodine, it takes up a bunch of Iodine, and cant release T4/T3. This is the Wolff–Chaikoff effect.
But you have to be careful, because of thyroid escape, the Jod-Basedow effect. You've just given the thyroid a crap ton of iodine, which it uses to make? T3 and T4. So now it has MORe substrate, and it is going to DUMP T3/T4 into the system.
Otherwise, yes, radioactive iodine gets uptaken in any active tissue, and blamo, irradiated (and dead)
