Treating amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis with radioactive iodine

Amiodarone use in the United States is increasing including a role in advanced cardiac life support protocols. There has been a significant increase in hypothyroidism, destructive thyroiditis (type II), and iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis (type I) with amiodarone. Preexisting thyroid disease and status of iodine intake can determine the nature of iodine-induced thyroid disease. Treating amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) may include traditional antithyroid agents, glucocorticoids, and surgery. Usually, it is assumed the radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) will be low, and this choice as a treatment modality is excluded at the initial visit. We report a satisfactory outcome in a patient with AIT using radioactive iodine. The role of radioactive iodine in treating AIT is reviewed