- Avoiding physical contact with other members of the household, including sleeping alone
- Flushing your toilet twice after every use
- Washing your hands frequently with decontamination soap
- Avoiding cooking for others
- Using plastic gloves to cook
- Keeping all clothing and linens separate from the rest of the household
- Placing all paper dishes, pads, tissues, bandages, and paper towels in plastic bags, and return them to your them to your clinic for waste disposal or decayed at home
Full Answer
What to expect after radioactive iodine treatment?
You can expect to live a fairly normal life after radioactive iodine treatment but your life will probably not be exactly as it was before your procedure. For most people, this means that you can expect to live at 80-90% of your 'normal'.
What are the long term side effects of radioactive iodine?
Long term side effects of radioactive iodine treatment vary depending on:
- your age
- other medical conditions
- your dose of radioactive iodine
How do you clean after radioactive iodine treatment?
- Avoiding physical contact with other members of the household, including sleeping alone
- Flushing your toilet twice after every use
- Washing your hands frequently with decontamination soap
- Avoiding cooking for others
- Using plastic gloves to cook
- Keeping all clothing and linens separate from the rest of the household
How to clean after radioactive iodine treatment?
How to Clean After Radioactive Iodine Treatment. Download Article. Explore this Article. IN THIS ARTICLE. 1 Spit and dispose of used tissues in the toilet. 2 Flush the toilet twice when you use the bathroom. 3 Wipe down the toilet after using it. 4 Clean your hands every time you use the bathroom. 5 Shower once a day.
How do I clean my house after radioactive iodine treatment?
The iodine-131 will wash out in the laundry. Vacuuming will pick up hair that is shed, which will have small amounts of radioactivity in it since our heads also sweat. The conservative approach would be to cover the chair with a sheet.
What should I avoid before radioactive iodine treatment?
What Foods Should I Avoid Before Radioactive Iodine Treatment?Iodized salt.Dairy products like cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, and ice cream.Egg yolks, whole eggs, and foods containing whole eggs.Seafood like fish, shellfish, seaweed, and kelp.Foods that contain additives like carrageenan , agar-agar, and alginates.More items...•
How do you prepare for radioiodine therapy?
You might need to have a low iodine diet for a few weeks before you have your treatment. This prepares the thyroid cells so that they can absorb the radioactive iodine. All food and drink contains some iodine. A low iodine diet means that you should avoid foods that have a high level of iodine in them.
How long do you have to stay 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.
What can you not do after radioactive iodine treatment?
Do not share cups, glasses, plates or eating utensils. Wash items promptly after using. Other people may use items after they are washed. Do not share towels or washcloths.
Will I 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.
Can I drink water before radioactive iodine treatment?
For 2 hours before and after your dose, do not eat any solid foods or drink anything but water. You may have breakfast before you come to the hospital, if it is more than 2 hours before your I131 dose. Water is OK to drink. We encourage you to drink plenty of water to help flush the radiation from your body.
How will I feel after radioactive iodine?
Some people may have a feeling of tightness or swelling in their neck for a few days after treatment. This is more common if you still had a large part of your thyroid gland when you have radioactive iodine treatment. Some people also feel flushed. Rarely, people can feel pain in their neck.
When can I eat regular food after radioactive iodine?
Follow a low-iodine diet 2 weeks before to 2 days after receiving your RAI Treatment. Therefore, you may go back to eating as usual 2 days after you ingest the RAI Treatment capsule(s).
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.
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.
How to prevent radioactive particles in the house?
1. Wash your linens and clothes separately from the rest of the household. Always wash your towels, sheets, and clothes in a different load from other household items. They may spread radioactive particles to other items in the house if you don't take this precaution.
How to get rid of radioiodine in urine?
Clean your hands thoroughly every time you use the bathroom. After you go to the bathroom, soap up and scrub your hands thoroughly, as you'll be passing the most radioiodine in your urine. Scrub for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.
How to keep dishes from spreading radioactive particles?
2. Wash your dishes separately from the rest of the dishes. Reserve dishes and utensils for yourself that only you use, kept away from other dishes and utensils. Also, wash these items separately from other household dishes so you don't spread radioactive particles to other items.
How to clean a shared phone?
Wipe down the phone after using it. If you're using a shared phone, use a disinfectant wipe to clean it after each time you use it. Use a new one each time so you're not rubbing radioiodine back onto the phone.
What to do if you spill urine?
If you spill urine or vomit, clean up the area with toilet paper and a household cleaner. With spills, always contact the radiation clinic to find out if you need to do more to clean them. ...
Why do we dispose of radioactive material?
Your bodily fluids will shed radioactive material. Disposing of them this way helps keep others safe.
What to do with contaminated disposable items?
Place all contaminated disposable items in a separate trash bag. The facility where you have your treatment may give you a special bag for trash. Anything you use that's disposable, such as food plates, utensils, non-flushable cleaning wipes, and gloves, should be placed in that bag. The bag should be leak-proof.
What is the best way to remove radioactive contamination from your home?
Additionally, there are special soaps and cleaners that should be used to minimize and remove radioactive contamination from your home. While decontamination soaps are great for removing the contaminants from the skin, they are not as effective on surfaces. around the house.
How is iodine excreted?
And as iodine is excreted through bodily fluids such as saliva, urine and perspiration, others who share the same living space can be exposed to harmful radioactive contamination. When the patience leaves their in-home isolation area, the danger to family members is not over.
What organs are treated with iodine?
During this form of nuclear medicine therapy, the radioactive iodine is targeted at the thyroid gland, but not the other bodily organs and tissues. And as iodine is excreted through bodily fluids such as saliva, urine and perspiration, others who share the same living space can be exposed to harmful radioactive contamination. When the patience leaves their in-home isolation area, the danger to family members is not over.
How to avoid contaminating others?
To avoiding contaminating others, there must be a comprehensive decontamination protocol followed at all times, and it must be strictly adhered until your therapy is completed, you open your isolation are, and your physician gives you the okay to resume a normal lifestyle. Call (800) 542-1123 or visit www.labtechinc.com to learn more about ...
Can you use decontaminant spray on nuclear medicine?
These decontaminant sprays, which are the very same ones used in nuclear medicine facilities, can be purchased for home use as well. They are commercial grade quality, but designed specifically for your home. In sum, nuclear medicine is a very powerful method for diagnosing and treating many diseases within the body.
Can you use bleach to clean radioactive iodine?
A common mistake of many patients is to use regular toilet cleaners and/or bleach and think that they are cleaning the radioactive iodine. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Bleach and other harsh household cleaners can cause the radioactive iodine to become gaseous and spread over a larger area.The only way to ensure that the radioactive iodine removed so that it is not a danger to children and spouses is by using soaps and cleaners designed with special ingredients to eliminate these contaminants. These decontaminant sprays, which are the very same ones used in nuclear medicine facilities, can be purchased for home use as well. They are commercial grade quality, but designed specifically for your home.
How to stay in isolation?
Just because you have to be in isolation, does not mean you have to stay inside 4 walls. Go for a walk. Get some sunshine. Breathe fresh air. Be cautious in staying away from people, obviously. But going outdoors can be a real boost.
Do you need to put others first during radiation?
Other than being careful not to expose others to radiation, you do not need to put others first during this time. What to do I mean?
Can you eat gummy bears on a low iodine diet?
It can be hard to indulge on the low iodine diet, but you can do it. I got a giant bag of gummy bears and ate the whole thing. I binge watched Jane Austen movies.
Is radioactive iodine treatment hard?
Radioactive iodine treatment isolation is hard. You don’t feel well, are tired, and are lonely. The low iodine diet makes eating challenging. The world is still reeling from your surgery and cancer diagnosis in the first place. The treatment itself can have unpleasant side effects.
How long does it take for thyroid to stop taking up radioactive iodine?
If you have too much iodine in your diet, it can stop the thyroid cells from taking up the radioactive iodine. Continue to follow this diet for 24 hours after your treatment is completed, or as instructed by your doctor. Read the resource for more information.
Where does radioactive iodine leave the body?
Most of the extra radioactive iodine will leave your body through your urine (pee), and smaller amounts will leave your body in your saliva (spit), sweat, and bowel movements (poop).
What is the name of the service that takes up thyroid cells?
If you do, tell your doctor in Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service (MITS) before your treatment. This is sometimes called the Nuclear Medicine service. Radioactive iodine enters your bloodstream and is taken up by any thyroid- like cells. The radioactivity destroys the cancer cells.
How long after radioactive iodine therapy can you get pregnant?
Pregnancy and radioactive iodine therapy. Don’t get pregnant or get your partner pregnant for at least 6 months after getting radioactive iodine therapy, or as long as your doctor tells you to. Use birth control after treatment for at least 6 months after getting this treatment.
How to treat thyrotropin alfa?
Your treatment plan will follow these steps that will take place over a few days: 1. On the first day, you’ll have blood tests. After those tests, you’ll see your doctor and get a thyrotropin alfa (Thyrogen ®) injection (shot) to help you get ready for your treatment.
How long before breast cancer treatment can you pump milk?
To prevent having radioactive iodine collect in your breast after your treatment, you’ll need to stop breastfeeding or pumping breast milk at least 6 to 12 weeks before your treatment.
How long does it take for thyroid pain to go away?
This is temporary and usually goes away within 8 weeks after your treatment. Try foods with different flavors to make sure you get the nutrition you need. Discomfort in your neck. This can happen during the first 2 to 3 weeks after your treatment, but it depends on the amount of thyroid tissue still in your neck.