What is "radioactive iodine uptake test"

n. radioactive iodine test that measures the amount of radioactive iodine taken up by the thyroid gland [syn: RAIU]

The radioactive iodine uptake test, or RAIU test, is a type of scan used in the diagnosis of thyroid problems, particularly hyperthyroidism. It is entirely different from radioactive iodine therapy (RAI therapy), which uses much higher doses to destroy cancerous cells. The RAIU test is also used as a follow up to RAI therapy to verify that no thyroid cells survived, which could still be cancerous.

The patient swallows radioactive iodine in the form of capsule or fluid, and its absorption by the thyroid is studied after 4–6 hours and after 24 hours with the aid of a scintillation counter. The dose is typically 0.15–0.37 MBq (4–10 μCi) of I sodium iodide, or 3.7–7.4 MBq (100–200 μCi) of I sodium iodide.

The normal uptake is between 15 and 25 percent, but this may be forced down if, in the meantime, the patient has eaten foods high in iodine, such as dairy products and seafood. Low uptake suggests thyroiditis, high uptake suggests Graves' disease, and unevenness in uptake suggests the presence of a nodule.

I has a shorter half-life than I (a half day vs. 8.1 days), so use of I exposes the body to less radiation, at the expense of less time to evaluate delayed scan images. Furthermore, I emits gamma radiation, while I emits gamma and beta radiation.