Flush the toilet 2 to 3 times after each use for the first 5 days, since most of the excess radioiodine will be excreted in your urine and feces. If you are incontinent, please notify the technologist.
- Do not share cups, glasses, plates or eating utensils. Wash items promptly after using. ...
- Do not share towels or washcloths.
- Flush the toilet twice and rinse the sink and tub after use.
- Wash your towels, bed linens, underwear, and any clothing stained with urine or sweat.
How do you clean after radioactive iodine treatment?
How to Clean After Radioactive Iodine Treatment. For that reason, take precautions to clean up after yourself, particularly in the bathroom and the kitchen, and to isolate items you use from other household items. Talk to your doctor about how long to maintain this precaution period; typically, it's 3 to 7 days from your treatment.
What precautions should I take after my treatment with I-131?
Your treatment team will give you a list of other precautions to take following your treatment with I-131. The following guidelines comply with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Use private toilet facilities, if possible, and flush twice after each use. Bathe daily and wash hands frequently.
How long do you have to clean up after radiation therapy?
Talk to your doctor about how long to maintain this precaution period; typically, it's 3 to 7 days from your treatment. Spit and dispose of used tissues in the toilet. Your bodily fluids will shed radioactive material.
How do you dispose of radioactive tissue after radiation therapy?
Talk to your doctor about how long to maintain this precaution period; typically, it's 3 to 7 days from your treatment. Spit and dispose of used tissues in the toilet. Your bodily fluids will shed radioactive material. When you use a tissue, put it in the toilet to flush.
How do you clean up after radioactive iodine treatment?
Personal clothing, sheets, bedding, washcloths, and towels should be collected and washed separately for the first 48 hours. After washing, run the washing machine through an extra wash cycle to clear out any residual radioiodine before using it for others.
How long does it take for radioactive iodine to leave your body?
The radioiodine from your treatment will temporarily remain in your body. Most of the radioiodine not taken up by your thyroid gland will be eliminated within the first (2) two days after treatment. Radioiodine leaves your body primarily by your urine. Very small amounts may leave in your saliva, sweat, or feces.
How long do you have to be isolated after radioactive iodine?
You are also required to self isolate for 7 days after your radioiodine treatment in order to minimise the risk of contracting COVID-19 whilst there is still a large amount of radioactivity in your body. A small proportion of people with COVID-19 may become very unwell and require admission to hospital.
Can I be around my pets after radioactive iodine treatment?
It is safe to be around your cats after you are treated with radioiodine therapy because even if they are in your lap, the exposure is low. People do sweat out the radioiodine, but if you wash your hands regularly, that is very effective in washing away the small amount of contamination on your hands.
Can you wash radiation off clothes?
Any radioactive material that gets into surface water or ground water sources will be diluted to very low levels by the water and will be safe to use for washing skin, hair, and clothing.
Do you gain weight after radioactive iodine treatment?
Treatment of hyperthyroidism with RAI or anti-thyroid medications is associated with an increased risk of gaining weight and even developing obesity. This risk is slightly higher with RAI therapy compared to medications.
How much water should I drink after Rai?
Patients undergoing RAI treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma are routinely encouraged to ingest about 2 - 3 L (8 - 10 cups) of water a day following treatment with RAI, to encourage diuresis and thus enhancing the elimination of RAI through renal excretion [15].
When can I eat regular food after radioactive iodine?
Drink only water. For 3 days after you swallow the capsule: Follow your low-iodine diet. You may resume your normal diet after 3 days. For 1 or 2 days after your dose: Avoid fatty or rich foods to help ease any nausea.
What happens if you are exposed to someone with radioactive iodine?
If too much radioactive iodine enters your body, the radioactive iodine will destroy your thyroid gland so that the gland will stop making hormones. Too much radioactive iodine in your body can also cause thyroid nodules or cancer.
Can I touch my cat after radioactive iodine treatment?
Your cat may be slightly woozy when you pick them up. For the first two weeks after I-131: Keep your cat indoors or supervised when outside to prevent contact with other people. Limit close contact (closer than 1 foot) to one hour per day.
Can I be around my child after radioactive iodine treatment?
RAI therapy does use a radioactive drug, but if the patient follows instructions provided by the doctor, RAI is considered safe for the family of the patient and ultimately for members of the public.
What can you not do during radiation treatment?
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It's also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.
Where is radioiodine 131 absorbed?
The radioiodine I-131 is swallowed in a single dose, in capsule or liquid form, and is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and concentrated from the blood by the thyroid gland, where it begins destroying the gland's cells.
Where is I-131 absorbed?
When a small dose of I-131 is swallowed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and concentrated from the blood by the thyroid gland, where it begins destroying the gland's cells. Radioactive iodine I-131 may also be used to treat thyroid cancer. top of page.
What is radioiodine therapy?
Settings. Fullscreen. Radioiodine therapy is a nuclear medicine treatment for an overactive thyroid, a condition called hyperthyroidism, and also may be used to treat thyroid cancer. When a small dose of radioactive iodine I-131 (an isotope of iodine that emits radiation) is swallowed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and concentrated by ...
How long does it take for iodine to leave the body?
The majority of the radioactive iodine that has not been absorbed leaves the body during the first two days following the treatment, primarily through the urine. Small amounts will also be excreted in saliva, sweat, tears, vaginal secretions, and feces.
How long after I-131 can I breastfeed?
Also, it is recommended that pregnancy be delayed until at least six to 12 months after I-131 treatment.
How long before a thyroidectomy can you eat?
Frequently, the anti-thyroid medication is stopped for five to seven days before therapy.
When do you need to take a pregnancy test after iodine treatment?
Many facilities require a pregnancy test within 24 hours prior to giving I-131 in all women of child-bearing age who have not had a surgical procedure to prevent pregnancy. Patients who need to travel immediately after radioactive iodine treatment are advised to carry a letter of explanation from their physician.
How long should you wait to breastfeed after radioiodine?
You must stop breastfeeding before you can be treated with radioiodine. If possible, you should stop breastfeeding for 6 weeks prior to treatment. You should not resume breastfeeding after treatment for your current child, but you may safely breastfeed babies you may have in the future.
How can radiation exposure be reduced?
Radiation exposure to other people can be reduced by keeping a reasonable distance between yourself and others and keeping the time you are close to others to a minimum. Your doctor should review the following instructions with you and answer all of your questions.
How long does radioiodine stay in your system?
Radioiodine stays in your body for only a short time. Most of the radioiodine that does not go to thyroid tissue will be eliminated from your body during the first few days after treatment. Radioiodine leaves your body primarily through your urine, but very small amounts can be found in your saliva, sweat and bowel movements.
How long do books need to be stored after RAI?
Books will need to be set aside in a safe place for 60-90 days after RAI, unless you are the only one who will be coming in contact with them. You can't recontaminate yourself. Other radioactive waste, like your toothbrush and cleanup items like wipes, sponges, etc., also need to be held in a safe place (attic, shed, etc.) before disposal.
Does RAI contain bleach?
There is a product called Scrubbing Bubbles, which has been recommended here by a radiation nurse, but you must be sure that it does not contain bleach. Buy the plain kind.
What to do if your feet are radioactive?
Do's. DO - Wear Slippers (cheap and disposable) or thick socks at all times. Your feet perspire and will leave radioactive “footprints”. DO - Place a plastic drop cloth under your bed sheets and above your mattress pad. Wrap your pillow (under the pillow case) with plastic cooking wrap.
Can bleach cause radioactive iodine?
Dont's. DON'T - USE BLEACH or bleach containing cleaners. Bleach will cause radioactive iodine to become gaseous and may spread far and wide. DON'T - Forget to remove any drop-in toilet tank cleaners that have bleach in them. DON'T - Eat any foods with cores or bones (such as apples, fried chicken, etc.) or chew gum.
How long should you wash your clothes after a radioactive reaction?
Personal clothing, sheets, bedding, washcloths, and towels should be collected and washed separately for the first 48 hours. After washing, run the washing machine through an extra wash cycle to clear out any residual radioiodine before using it for others.
How long after a 131 injection should you wait to use a 131?
During the initial phase of treatment, any bodily fluid will have some radioactive I 131 associated with it. Therefore, for the first 48 hours after administration the primary consideration is to limit the spread of contamination from bodily fluids.
How long does it take for iodine to be excreted?
Excretion is so rapid that as long as you have reasonable kidney function, 50% of the administered iodine is gone within eight hours. Another 50% of the remaining circulating iodine is excreted during the second eight hours and so on.
How does radioiodine work?
In short, radioiodine is administered as a salt pill or solution. Instead of being normal salt, sodium chloride (NaCl), it is sodium iodide (NaI). Once you swallow the treatment dose, iodine-131 ( 131 I) is rapidly absorbed into the circulation.
What tissue is 131 I?
Only one tissue in the body has a need to fix and hold onto the iodine, namely thyroid tissu e. The remaining tissues in the body treat the iodine as salt and the iodine is rapidly cleared from the body circulation, ...
How long after iodine is taken to go away?
After the first two days post-administration, 98% of the iodine will be gone and you can begin to ease up on these instructions. However, many providers will recommend that you try to keep it up for the first week post-administration, just to be overly cautious.
How long should you sleep with radioiodine?
You should also make separate sleeping arrangements for the first 48 hours to maintain this distance. Since the radioiodine is administered as a salt, is can pass through the skin barrier with perspiration, so you shouldn't exercise or swim in pools during the first 48 hours.
