Be Careful Using Antithyroid Drugs When You're Having Radioactive Iodine

You'll want to be especially careful taking antithyroid drugs (i.e., Tapazole, methimazole, PTU) in the time frame around when you're having radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment. Researchers have just reported in the British Medical Journal that being treated with antithyroid medication is linked to an increased risk of failed radioiodine treatment treatment if they are given in the week before or after radioiodine treatment.

Definitely something you'll want to discuss with the doctor.

You can also print out the full text of the article, which is being made available as an "epub" ahead of actualy publication in the BMJ.

Source: Walter MA, et. al. "Effects of antithyroid drugs on radioiodine treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials." British Medical Journal -- BMJ. 2007 Feb 20; Epub ahead of print