When you took your uptake test and scan you were given a measured dose of an isotope of radioiodine. When they measured it later (when you sat with the geiger-counter type instrument near your throat), and compared it with the dose you were given, they found that your thyroid had taken up 61% of the dose. That’s about as much as any of us here can tell you about “what it means”. That is, typically, a higher than normal uptake. They use this information, along with the relative size of your thyroid, to determine the dose of treatment form radioactive iodine you will need.
The sore throat is caused by the RAI damaging thyroid cells. I don’t remember how long it lasts but it is highly likely to be different for different people.
Because we typically go off medications prior to RAI we become rather more hyperthyroid than usual, and being hyperthyroid is fatiguing — massively fatiguing — on the body. It will go away as soon as your thyroid hormone levels get controlled back in the normal zone for long enough for your body to heal.
I do hope you are feeling better soon.
Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator
