Which of the following radio of Iodine is used for thyroid scan: September 2008
**Core Concept**
The thyroid gland can be visualized using radioactive iodine isotopes, which selectively accumulate in the gland. This property is exploited in nuclear medicine imaging techniques to diagnose and monitor thyroid disorders.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Iodine-123 (¹²³I) is a radioactive isotope of iodine with a relatively short half-life of 13.22 hours. It is used for thyroid scanning due to its optimal balance of imaging characteristics, including gamma ray energy and physical half-life. The gamma rays emitted by ¹²³I can be easily detected by gamma cameras, allowing for high-quality images of the thyroid gland. Additionally, ¹²³I has a relatively low radiation dose, making it a safer choice for patients.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option B:** Iodine-125 (¹²⁵I) is a radioactive isotope with a much longer half-life (59.4 days) than ¹²³I. Its gamma rays have a lower energy, making it unsuitable for thyroid scanning.
**Option C:** Iodine-127 (¹²⁷I) is a stable isotope of iodine and does not emit gamma rays, making it useless for imaging purposes.
**Option D:** Iodine-131 (¹³¹I) has a longer half-life (8 days) than ¹²³I and is primarily used for therapeutic purposes, such as ablation of thyroid tissue in cases of thyroid cancer.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
When performing a thyroid scan, it's essential to consider the timing of the scan in relation to the administration of the radioactive tracer. Ideally, the scan should be performed 24 hours after tracer administration, when the activity has reached an optimal level.
**✓ Correct Answer: A. ¹²³I**