causes of thyrotoxicosis with low radioiodine uptake

Last reviewed 01/2018

Most patients with thyrotoxicosis have an increased uptake of radioiodine.

The causes of reduce uptake of radioiodine when scanning the thyroid of a thyrotoxic patient include:

  • thyroxine abuse or overdose
  • ectopic thyroid tissue:
    • struma ovarii
  • amiodarone
  • iodine ingestion and the Jod-Basedow effect