Talk:Iodine-123

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June 2009

why is it useful that iodine 132 gives out gamma radiation?

Assuming you mean I123, the gamma radiation is useful because it is penetrating. In the context of medical imaging, this means that the emissions can escape the body and therefore can be imaged. 8/6/17.

Actually, it is usually given as a capsule- I just had this and it was a huge to-do because of me not being able to swallow it so they melted it special for me and I drank it. It's the 131 that's usually drunk. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.20.23.77 (talk) 21:47, 8 June 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, I131 is predominately given as a capsule (at least in the UK). I'm a registered Clinical Scientist (Medical Physics) in the UK. As far as I know, we'd only give I131 as a drink if the patient has difficulties swallowing.

The link for reference 8 is broken. If you know what it should be updated to please do so. Ericschrader (talk) 17:19, 28 December 2010 (UTC)EricSchrader[reply]

I couldn't fix the reference at the moment. You are correct that I-123 is usually given as a capsule-- this minimizes the danger and mess of spills. I-131 is given as a drink because they don't want the concentrated local radiation from a capsule before it disolves. I-123 doesn't have any local radiation because its betas are too weak. The gamma radiation from I-123 is seen on the scanning camera, looking at the thryoid. I-123 is useful because it gives out only gammas and almost nothing else, so it doesn't cause local tissue damage and cancer, like low dose I-131 might (see that article). S B H arris 21:53, 29 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]