what to do after rai treatment

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...
• Sleep apart from adults by at least six feet (a separate bedroom is recommended) and avoid sexual activity.

Full Answer

Should I read up on post-Rai guidelines before having 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback!

Should I get RAI in addition to thyroidectomy?

Before you get RAI in addition to thyroidectomy, these two factors should be considered: #1. Thyroid cancer has a low risk of recurrence after thyroidectomy. Even without RAI the risk is of thyroid cancer recurrence is very low (5), so adding on the RAI may not further reduce that risk in every patient.

What should I do after ingesting radioactive iodine?

After ingesting radioactive iodine, patients are advised to flush the toilet twice and wash their hands diligently after using the bathroom, sneezing, or coughing, and before handling food. Patients are also advised to stay more than 3 feet away from adult caregivers and more than 6 feet away from small children and pregnant women.

Should I be hospitalized after taking iodine 131 for RAI?

It is not common in the United States to hospitalize patients after RAI, but if you are receiving a particularly high dosage of iodine 131 and have no way to protect children or babies, it may be an option. Do not share any towels, razors, toothbrushes, cups, spoons, forks, or dishes.

How do you clean up after Rai?

Flush the toilet after each time you use it; flush toilet paper and wipes; Always wash your hands well after using the toilet; Rinse the sink and wash your hands after brushing your teeth to wash away the saliva (spit);

What happens after RAI treatment?

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.

What can you eat after radioactive iodine treatment?

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...

How long do you have to be in isolation 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.

When do you start thyroxine after Rai?

Thyroid medicine after radioactive iodine treatment Usually, this is 2 to 3 days after your treatment. 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.

How long do Rai side effects last?

The RAI that is not taken up by the remaining thyroid tissue is eliminated from the body through your perspiration, saliva, feces, and urine. Most radiation from the RAI is gone in about one week.

How much water should you drink after Rai?

Drink plenty of liquids starting 60 minutes after your RAI pill(s) for 7 days. After that, drink about 1 glass of fluids every 2 hours that you are awake to encourage urination at least once per hour. It is not necessary to wake up to drink fluids but you should wake up to empty your bladder if needed.

How much water should I drink after radioactive iodine?

First 8 hours: Drink one glass of water each hour and use the bathroom as soon as possible when you need to empty your bladder. Men should sit on the toilet while urinating to decrease splashing. Use a tissue to wipe up any urine on the toilet bowl and flush twice.

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 touch things after radioactive iodine?

You can take these items home with you after your treatment. Any small amounts of radiation on these items won't harm you or others.

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.

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.

How to avoid weight gain after RAI?

Your best bet to AVOID weight gain after RAI is to go into your procedure with a normal weight and to maintain a healthy lifestyle both before and after. Just realize that you will always be in a 'sensitive' category and you will be more likely to gain weight compared to people with their thyroid intact. #3.

How long does it take for a RAI to fade?

The good news is that this radioactivity does fade over a short period of time (usually 5 to 7 days) but the bad news is that you need to stay under certain precautions during this time.

How long can you live after 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'.

Can you survive after RAI?

You can obviously survive after RAI (otherwise they wouldn't do the procedure) but I want to teach you how to thrive afterward. And to key to getting there is to understand what happens to your body after this procedure and how it influences your thyroid function.

Does RAI cause weight gain?

Many clinical studies have also confirmed that weight gain after RAI is a real risk. The good news is that not every single person who gets RAI will necessarily gain weight. But it does increase your risk of weight gain if you have the procedure by about 2 to 3 times.

Can you gain weight after radioactive iodine treatment?

You may gain weight. This is probably not what you want to hear, especially if this is a procedure that is necessary for your health, but it's still important to know about it. You may gain weight after you undergo radioactive iodine treatment.

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 clean a bathroom after a precaution period?

Clean the bathroom thoroughly. After your precaution period is up, wipe down the bathroom with disinfecting wipes. Wear gloves for the process, and then place the wipes and gloves in a designated trash bag. ...

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.

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. ...

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.

Can you get radioactive iodine if you have thyroid cancer?

If you're being treated for hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer, you may be given radioactive iodine or radioiodine. [1] With this treatment, it's possible to contaminate others with radiation, even though the amount of radiation you're given is fairly small.

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 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.

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 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 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.

How long does it take for a syringe to get better?

You may have short term changes to your taste and smell. This may not start until you get home. It usually gets better within 4 to 8 weeks. It can help to drink plenty of fluids after your treatment.

Can radioactive iodine cause neck pain?

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.

How to treat hypothyroidism after radioactive iodine?

Hypothyroidism is most often treated through hormone replacement therapy —a safe and effective treatment option that involves taking hormone medications to restore healthy hormone levels. Most people who develop hypothyroidism after radioactive iodine treatment can expect to take some form of hormone medication every day for the rest of their lives. This may sound extreme at first, but this vital medication is essentially doing the job of a healthy thyroid gland; it’s absolutely critical to bodily health. And while you may not feel any side effects of the medication when it’s working, whether good or bad, most patients say they notice an immediate difference when they stop taking their medication. To feel well every day and avoid all the symptoms of hypothyroidism, this simple step usually feels like a no-brainer.

How long after RAI can you start thyroid hormone?

They may even preemptively schedule you to start thyroid hormone treatment within a few weeks of the RAI procedure, just to be safe.

Can you take thyroid medication after RAI?

However, it can take a little while for you and your doctor to find the appropriate dose for your thyroid medication. Too little, and your hypothyroidism symptoms, such as deep fatigue and hair loss, may compromise your quality of life. Too much, and you might experience the familiar racing heart and nervous energy that you needed RAI to resolve. It’s also possible for hypothyroidism to worsen over time, which is why ongoing monitoring is critical to ensuring the best outcomes. After years of taking one dose of hormones, you might need to increase to a higher dose.

Can you take thyroid medication after radioactive iodine?

No matter which hormone medications you need to take in order to treat hypothyroidism after radioactive iodine treatment, the best route is to consult with a hormone health specialist and get expert counsel. Maintaining a stable dose of thyroid medication is a job any primary care physician would be able to take on.

What is RAI surgery?

RAI is a procedure in which radioactive iodine is given with the intent to destroy thyroid gland tissue. There are side effects associated with this procedure (discussed below). Around 50% of patients with thyroid cancer get both thyroidectomy and RAI (6). This leaves another 50% who only get thyroidectomy.

How does RAI work?

RAI works because it takes advantage of certain aspects of normal physiology. You probably already know that iodine (not the radiated version) is required for optimal thyroid hormone production. Each thyroid hormone has a specific amount of iodide in it (2, 3 or 4 moieties depending on the type of thyroid hormone).

What is the goal of RAI?

Remember that the goal of RAI is to completely destroy your thyroid gland . This destruction of thyroid gland tissue will permanently alter thyroid hormone status in your body. After the procedure, you will be reliant upon thyroid medication for the rest of your life.

What is the treatment for thyroid cancer?

The baseline treatment recommended for thyroid cancer is thyroidectomy or complete thyroid removal. This procedure allows for nearly the complete ...

What is the most common use of RAI?

Perhaps one of the most common uses of RAI is as a therapy to treat hyperthyroidism. As we discussed, RAI results in complete and irreversible damage to the thyroid gland. Because of this, you should consider all available options and therapies available to you before you undergo this procedure.

Is RAI a definitive treatment?

It's definitive because after the procedure your thyroid gland will no longer function optimally and your hyperthyroidism will have been treated .

Is rai a barbaric treatment?

As you might suspect, destroying your gland with radioactive iodine is associated with some side effects and is not without risk (but more on that later). It may sound like a barbaric treatment, but it has been around since ...

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 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.

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.

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 far away should you be from family during radioiodine?

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.

How to prevent build up of bacteria on skin?

Take a shower each day to minimize any build-up of contamination on the skin and wash hands frequently during the day. Don't prepare food for others during this period. Keep your toothbrush separate from the rest of the family's in the toothbrush rack.

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 I-131 stay in your system?

The main difference between these two types is the length of time that they are active in the body. I-131 stays in the body for about a week, and I-123, lasts for several days.

How long after thyroid surgery can you get a whole body scan?

A whole body scan can show any remaining tissue and can detect additional thyroid tumor that may have been previously missed. Six months to one year after the last radioactive iodine treatment: radioactive iodine whole body imaging can be used to assess the patient’s current status.

Can a thyroid scan be used for iodine uptake?

If the thyroid cancer cells do not absorb iodine, then the scan will not be helpful. Therefore, radioactive iodine uptake scans are not used in the management of Medullary or Anaplastic thyroid cancers, as these malignancies do not arise from normal thyroid epithelial cells and do not have the ability to absorb iodine.

Can thyroid cancer be taken up with iodine?

Additionally, some types of well-differentiated thyroid cancers may lack the ability to take up radioactive iodine, and thus these patients will not be ideal candidates for radioactive iodine uptake scans.