You must stop breastfeeding your baby for at least 6 weeks before you can be treated with radioiodine.
How long does radioactive iodine stay in 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 should my husband sleep alone after radioiodine treatment?
Sleep alone for the first few (3 – 4) days. Avoid kissing or sexual intercourse for three to four days after treatment. Do not sleep together for an entire night until a week after treatment. Avoid prolonged physical contact, particularly with children and pregnant women; limit to 15 minutes.
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.
How long is isolation after radioactive thyroid treatment?
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 do I clean my house after radioactive iodine treatment?
The iodine-131 will wash out in the laundry.
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To decrease the spread of radioactivity:
- If possible, use a separate bathroom.
- Flush the toilet two times after each use.
- Men should sit down when urinating.
- If urine should be spilled/splashed, wash and rinse the affected area three times, using paper towels or tissue.
How long does it take to feel better after radioactive iodine?
In most cases, improvement may be noted by 4-8 weeks after administration of the radioactive iodine, but in more severe cases, it can take longer. Depending on the type of hyperthyroidism present, and other mitigating factors, the time to “feeling normal” can vary considerably, from 1-12 months.
How will I feel after radioactive iodine?
A swollen or tender neck and feeling flushed
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.
Can your thyroid start working again after radioactive iodine?
In almost all cases, your thyroid hormone levels will return to normal or below normal after radioactive iodine treatment. This may take 8 to 12 weeks or longer. If your thyroid hormone level does not go down after 6 months, you may need another dose of radioactive iodine.
Does radioactive iodine shorten your life?
Quality of life is worse at 6-10 years after radioactive iodine therapy of Graves’ disease compared with treatment with antithyroid drugs or surgery. Quality of life is worse at 6-10 years after radioactive iodine therapy of Graves’ disease compared with treatment with antithyroid drugs or surgery.
Can you be around someone who has had radioactive iodine?
You will be advised to sleep alone for the first few days after your treatment. During this period, you should avoid kissing or sexual intercourse. Also avoid prolonged physical contact with others, particularly children and pregnant women. If you have a baby, be sure to get instructions from your doctor.
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.
What is life like after thyroid removal?
You will need to take at least one or two weeks to recover before you return to work and other daily activities. You should not lift any heavy objects for about 2 weeks after your operation to avoid any strain on your neck. Your neck is likely to be swollen and may feel hard and numb right after the surgery.
How does radioactive iodine affect fetus?
Radioactive iodine (RAI) is used effectively in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer, but it is contraindicated during pregnancy. RAI treatment during pregnancy can lead to fetal hypothyroidism, mental retardation and increased malignancy risk in the infant.
Do you lose hair with radioactive iodine?
Radioactive iodine does not produce hair loss. Nevertheless, hair loss can be associated with changing levels of thyroid hormone, and may be experienced by some patients with hypo or hyperthyroidism.
Do you gain weight after radioactive iodine treatment?
Weight change was analyzed in only 228 patients and 84% gained weight by 1 year after radioactive iodine therapy.
What can you eat after radioactive iodine?
Foods That Are Fine to Eat on the Low-Iodine Diet
- Fresh fruits and fruit juices, except rhubarb, maraschino cherries (if they contain Red Dye #3), and fruit cocktail with maraschino cherries.
- Vegetables, preferably raw and fresh-cooked or frozen without salt. …
- Unsalted nuts and unsalted nut butters.
Can you eat eggs on a low iodine diet?
A low iodine diet restricts many common foods, such as seafood, processed or cured meats, whole eggs and egg yolks, dairy products, commercial baked goods, and many snack foods, among others.
Is thyrogen radioactive?
Thyrogen is a drug administered before radioactive iodine therapy (or RRA). RAI/RRA is performed to destroy (ablate) remaining (remnant) thyroid cells after thyroid cancer surgery (eg, thyroidectomy). Thyrogen is a recombinant human form of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
Why do you have to be in isolation after radiation?
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.
Can I be around my cat after radioactive iodine treatment?
By 14 days after treatment radioactivity is essentially gone and you can safely handle your cat and the litter as usual. Special care should be taken with the litter box for 14 days after treatment to avoid environmental contamination with radioactivity.
How much water should I drink after radioactive iodine?
Avoid contact with pregnant women and children under the age of 12 for 7 days. 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.
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.