Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test

Iodine Uptake Test, Radioactive

What To Think About

• Blood tests may be done before a radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) to measure the amount of thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, and T4) in your blood. For more information, see the medical tests Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Thyroid Hormone Tests.
• A thyroid scan may be done at the same time as an RAIU test. For more information, see the medical test Thyroid Scan.
• Cancer of the thyroid is usually treated by surgery. If the tumor is large, has spread outside the thyroid gland, or has recurred, it may then be treated with very high doses of radioactive iodine. After treating recurring thyroid cancer, a scan of the entire body can be done to see where the cancer has spread.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: September 15, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism
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