radioactive iodine treatment side effects to others how

by Michel Kessler Jr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Side effects of radioactive iodine treatment can include:

A burning sensation or tenderness in the area near the neck
Nausea
Swelling or tenderness to the salivary glands
Temporary changes in taste
Dry mouth or reduced tear production

More ...

Short-term side effects of RAI treatment may include:

Neck tenderness and swelling.
Nausea and vomiting.
Swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands.
Dry mouth.
Taste changes.

Mar 14, 2019

Full Answer

What are the risks of radioactive iodine therapy?

Temporary side effects of RAI may include: Neck tenderness and swelling. Nausea. Swollen salivary glands. Loss of taste or taste change. Dry mouth/insufficient salivary production. Dry eyes. Excessive tearing from the eyes.

What are the long term effects of radioactive iodine?

The radioactive iodine can also cause other health problems including: increased risk for cancer or thyroid problems temporary or permanent infertility in both men and women fatigue weight gain muscle weakness joint pain dry skin brittle nails hair loss memory problems anxiety depression mood swings difficulty concentrating nervousness irritability

What are the possible side effects from radioiodine?

Short-term side effects of RAI treatment may include: Neck tenderness and swelling Nausea and vomiting Swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands Dry mouth Taste changes Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy may help with salivary gland problems. Radioiodine treatment also reduces tear formation in some people, leading to dry eyes.

What to expect after radioactive iodine treatment?

Side effects of radioactive iodine treatment can include: A burning sensation or tenderness in the area near the neck Nausea Swelling or tenderness to the salivary glands Temporary changes in taste Dry mouth or reduced tear production

Can you be around people after taking radioactive iodine?

Here are some ways to minimize radiation risks to other people (and pets) after you have had RAI treatment: Stay at least six feet away from other people, including members of the public, family members, and co-workers, for three to 11 days.Mar 4, 2021

How is radioactive iodine transmitted?

Radioiodine leaves your body primarily through your urine, but very small amounts can be found in your saliva, sweat and bowel movements. Ask your doctor for more information. You also may get more information from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging at www.snmmi.org.

Can I be around my dog after radioactive iodine treatment?

There is no need for concern about effects on your family, pets, etc., but it is still prudent to avoid close, prolonged contact for the first week. The advice to patients who are going home depends on whether they were treated for hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer and on how much radioactive iodine was administered.

How long should my husband sleep alone after radioiodine treatment?

You should sleep alone for the first 3 to 5 nights after treatment. Avoid personal contact for about 3 to 7 days after treatment. In those first 3 days after therapy, you should stay a safe distance away from others (6 feet away, approximately).Aug 8, 2016

Can you be around someone after radiation treatment?

The radiation travels a very short distance, so the effects are mostly to the tumor. However, you may have to limit contact with other people for up to one week after treatment. It is especially important to avoid close contact with children and women who are pregnant.Dec 27, 2019

Can I touch things after radioactive iodine?

You should try to keep all family and friends during this period at least one meter (three feet) away and do not have direct physical contact, especially intimate contact, like kissing or hand holding where radioiodine could be passed onto others.Aug 26, 2019

What happens if you expose someone to radioactive iodine?

Radioactive iodine can also be unhealthy for your thyroid gland. 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.

What are the long term side effects of radioactive iodine?

Possible long term side effects include:

Ability to have children (fertility) Some women may have irregular periods after radioactive iodine treatment. ...
Inflammation of the salivary glands (where spit is made) ...
Tiredness. ...
Dry or watery eyes. ...
Lower levels of blood cells. ...
Lung problems. ...
Second cancers.

May 24, 2021

What are the side effects of radioactive iodine?

What are the side effects of radioactive iodine?

Neck tenderness and swelling.
Nausea.
Swollen salivary glands.
Loss of taste or taste change.
Dry mouth/insufficient salivary production.
Dry eyes.
Excessive tearing from the eyes.

Sep 8, 2020

Can I use my cell phone after radioactive iodine?

You will have to stay in your room for at least 1 to 2 hours after your treatment. You can use your cell phone or watch TV to help pass the time. You won't be able to have visitors during this time. You may not have any side effects from the treatment right after you get it, but you may have side effects later.Aug 19, 2020

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.

Is radiotherapy harmful to others?

Is it safe to be around others while getting radiation treatment? People getting external beam radiation do not have radiation in their body and are not radioactive. People getting internal and systemic radiation can give off radiation for a short time.Oct 18, 2019

Does radioactive iodine help with thyroid cancer?

Radioactive iodine therapy helps people live longer if they have papillary or follicular thyroid cancer (differentiated thyroid cancer) that has spread to the neck or other body parts, and it is now standard practice in such cases. But the benefits of RAI therapy are less clear for people with small cancers of the thyroid gland ...

How to treat RAI?

For RAI therapy to be most effective, you must have a high level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH or thyrotropin) in the blood. This hormone is what makes thyroid tissue (and cancer cells) take up radioactive iodine. If your thyroid has been removed, there are a couple of ways to raise TSH levels before being treated with RAI: 1 One way is to stop taking thyroid hormone pills for several weeks. This causes very low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism), which makes the pituitary gland to release more TSH. This intentional hypothyroidism is temporary, but it often causes symptoms like tiredness, depression, weight gain, constipation, muscle aches, and reduced concentration. 2 Another way is to get an injection (shot) of thyrotropin (Thyrogen), which can make withholding thyroid hormone for a long period of time unnecessary. This drug is given daily for 2 days, followed by RAI on the 3 rd day.

Can hypothyroidism cause constipation?

This intentional hypothyroidism is temporar y, but it often causes symptoms like tiredness, depression, weight gain, constipation, muscle aches, and reduced concentration. Another way is to get an injection (shot) of thyrotropin (Thyrogen), which can make withholding thyroid hormone for a long period of time unnecessary.

Does iodine affect thyroid?

Because the radioactive iodine used (known as iodine 131) may expose those around you to the effects of radiation (and theoretically negatively affect their thyroid glands), you will be given guidelines on how to prevent such exposure. Laura Porter / Verywell.

How to avoid radiation?

Here are some ways to minimize radiation risks to other people (and pets) after you have had RAI treatment: 1 Stay at least six feet away from other people, including members of the public, family members, and co-workers, for three to 11 days. This means avoiding public transportation, hotels, carpools, and in some cases, your workplace. 2 Sleep apart from adults by at least six feet (a separate bedroom is recommended) and avoid sexual activity. 3 Avoid sleeping in the same bed with a pregnant woman, infant, or child for a period of six to 23 days. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, infants and children should ideally stay outside the home for the recommended period. 1 4 To protect family pets, do not sleep with them for up to 21 days.

How to minimize radiation risks?

Keep Your Distance. Here are some ways to minimize radiation risks to other people (and pets) after you have had RAI treatment: Stay at least six feet away from other people, including members of the public, family members, and co-workers, for three to 11 days. This means avoiding public transportation, hotels, carpools, and in some cases, ...

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