what to do after radioactive iodine treatment

After Your Radioactive Iodine Treatment

• Getting home. After your treatment, you won’t be able to go home using public transportation, such as buses, the subway, trains, or a plane.
• Clearing the radioactive iodine from your body. ...
• Diet. ...
• Medication. ...
• Travel. ...
• Going back to work. ...
• Sexual activity. ...
• Side Effects. ...

Full Answer

What precautions should be taken with radioactive iodine therapy?

What precautions should be taken with radioactive iodine therapy? Women who are pregnant or nursing should not receive RAI therapy. Pregnancy should be delayed at least six to 12 months after RAI treatment for thyroid cancer. Breast feeding should be stopped at least six weeks before RAI and should not be resumed.

Why is radioactive iodine therapy given more than once?

Historically, radioactive iodine therapy has been given to patients more than once, because for a long time, it was the only treatment available for thyroid cancer. We continue to offer more than one treatment in some patients, if the disease recurs or spreads to other parts of the body.

What to expect after radioactive iodine treatment?

What To Expect After Radioactive Iodine Treatment 1 You're going to be radioactive (for a few days) 2 You may gain weight. 3 You will need to (most likely) be on medication. 4 You may experience other thyroid symptoms. 5 You should consider yourself "hypothyroid" 6 Men may have short-term infertility afterward.

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.

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.

How long does it take to feel better after radioactive iodine?

It usually gets better within 4 to 8 weeks. It can help to drink plenty of fluids after your treatment.

What will a person receiving radioactive iodine therapy need after treatments are done?

Your body will give off radiation for some time after you get RAI therapy. Depending on the dose of radioiodine used and where you are being treated, you might need to be in the hospital for a few days after treatment, staying in a special isolation room to prevent others from being exposed to radiation.

How long is isolation after radioactive iodine?

Depending on state regulations, patients may have to stay isolated in the hospital for about 24 hours to avoid exposing other people to radiation, especially if there are young children living in the same home.

How much weight will I gain after radioactive iodine treatment?

Average weight gain was about 11.8 lbs for patients who were treated with medication, 12.3 lbs for those who had RAI treatment without developing hypothyroidism, and 15.6 lbs for those who had RAI treatment and developed hypothyroidism.

What can you eat after radioactive iodine?

You can eat the following foods because they contain very low levels of iodine:fruits and vegetables including potatoes.cooked green vegetables.meat.ordinary table salt and sea salt.fresh bread.rice and dries pasta.non dairy spreads such as Vitalite, Pure and non dairy Flora.olive oil, vegetable oils and nut oils.More items...

What are the long term side effects of radioactive iodine?

NCI study finds long-term increased risk of cancer death following common treatment for hyperthyroidism. New study findings show an association between the dose of a common treatment for hyperthyroidism and risk of death from solid cancers.

What are the side effects of iodine radiation?

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.

Why do you have to isolate after radioactive iodine treatment?

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.

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].

Can I exercise after radioactive iodine treatment?

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.

What to do before RAI treatment?

Before you or any family members have RAI treatment, it is strongly recommended that you read up on post-RAI guidelines and speak with your healthcare providers about how they should be applied to you .

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, ...

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.

Is iodine used for Graves disease?

If radioactive iodine treatment (RAI) is recommended as part of your treatment for Graves’ disease, hyperthy roidism, or thyroid cancer, you will most likely be given it as an outpatient. 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.

Can you take iodine 131 with pets?

The following recommendations will give you an idea of precautions to take to avoid exposing other people (as well as pets) to iodine 131, which may be present in bodily fluids or occur as a result of close contact. The recommended timeframes are based on the size of the dosage you are receiving, so discuss the specifics with your healthcare provider prior to treatment.

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.

Does Verywell Health use peer reviewed sources?

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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 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 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.

How long after radioactive iodine treatment can you take thyroid medicine?

Your nurse will tell you when you should start to take them again. Usually, this is 2 to 3 days after your treatment.

How long after iodine treatment should you follow safety precautions?

You will need to follow safety precautions for a few days after your radioactive iodine treatment. This is to protect others from the radiation. The advice about precautions varies for different people and for different hospitals. Talk to your doctor or specialist nurse.

Why do you need thyroxine?

You will need to take thyroxine tablets to replace the hormones that your thyroid gland normally makes. Your doctors will want to keep your thyroid hormones at a slightly higher level than you would normally need. This is to stop your body producing another hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH can help some types of thyroid cancer cells to grow.

How long after iodine treatment can you go home?

After radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer. Having radioactive iodine treatment means you will be radioactive for several days afterwards. You will be able to go home from hospital when the radiation level in your body is at a safe level.

How to get rid of radiation in your body?

For a few weeks you will need to use your own towel and keep your cutlery and plates away from others until washed. Continue to flush the toilet twice and wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet.

What to do if you have a swollen thigh?

Tell your doctor or nurse if any of these symptoms happen. They can give you a painkiller or a medicine to reduce inflammation, which can help.

How to avoid radiation?

If you live or work with other people, you will need to keep a distance from them. Avoid standing or sitting close to them. This stops them from getting radiation from you.

How does radioactive iodine treat hyperthyroidism?

Your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower front of your neck, produces hormones that regulate your body’s metabolism and other functions. Hyperthyroidism speeds up the body’s processes causing nervousness and anxiety, rapid heartbeat, missed or light menstrual periods, sleep problems, hand tremors and other problems.

What is radioactive iodine used for?

Radioactive iodine (RAI) can be used for the treatment of overactive thyroid ( hyperthyroidism) and certain types of thyroid cancer . The term “radioactive” may sound frightening, but it is a safe, generally well-tolerated, and reliable treatment that targets thyroid cells so there is little exposure to the rest of your body’s cells.

How long after RAI can I breastfeed?

Pregnancy should be delayed at least six to 12 months after RAI treatment for thyroid cancer. Breast feeding should be stopped at least six weeks before RAI and should not be resumed. In the days immediately following your RAI therapy, be aware of these general precautions to prevent radioactive exposure to others.

What is the treatment for thyroid cancer?

The most common types of thyroid cancer (papillary and follicular) can usually be treated with large doses of radioactive iodine. (The dosages of RAI are much higher than with hyperthyroidism treatment.) The therapy is usually given after removal of the thyroid gland to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue. A “tracer” dose of radioactive iodine can ...

How long does it take for iodine to flush out of the body?

Most patients need only one dose before their hyperthyroidism is resolved, which may take a few weeks to several months.

Is RAI good for hypothyroidism?

Permanent hypothyroidism (or underactive thyroid, when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones) is an expected side effect of RAI treatment for hyperthyroidism. Fortunately, hypothyroidism is much easier to treat than hyperthyroidism using hormone replacement therapy. This is a lifelong treatment that is safe, reliable and inexpensive.

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 to clean a rai?

RAI is water soluble, so you just need to clean well with water and probably some soap. 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. Clean the tub/shower, including the walls and shower curtain. Rinse well. Same for the toilet (no bleach), rim and under the seat, the bathroom countertops, sink and floor. Rinse very well and dispose properly of your toothbrush after 5-6 days. I used a large sponge for most of this and threw it out with the toothbrush after rinsing very thoroughly. Launder your sheets, mattress pad and pillow cases, along with your towels and wash cloths, on a full cycle and then run them through an extra rinse cycle. I hope your treatment was very successful.

How does RAI leave your body?

Report. Keep in mind that the RAI leaves your body through sweat, urine, etc. if you've had a barrier between your body and the couch, , like sheets and a blanket, or a sleeping bag, you only need to wash the sheets and blanket.

Can you recontaminate yourself?

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. This discussion is closed to comments. To start a new discussion in this community, please click here.