How long does the I-131 treatment take?

How long does the I-131 treatment take?

After this treatment, doctors usually recommend that women wait for at least 6 months and men for at least 4 months before trying to conceive a baby. Doctors feel that there is less risk of the radiation affecting a pregnancy after this time.

What is the scan after radioactive iodine treatment for?

Radioactive iodine is given to check for recurrence of thyroid cancer after you have had your thyroid removed by surgery. special precautions for 3 days. You must sign a SJHH “Consent to Treatment” form on the day of the scan.

Why is I-131 used in this treatment?

Your thyroid gland absorbs nearly all of the iodine in your body. Because of this, radioactive iodine (RAI, also called I-131) can be used to treat thyroid cancer.

How will I feel after I-131 treatment?

The most common symptoms after I-131 treatment are gastrointestinal discomforts, as previously reported in other studies [2, 4, 10, 14]. Salivary gland swelling, pain, and dysfunction have been the most notable symptoms due to their I-131 uptake and discretion [2, 4, 8, 9, 15].

How long do you have to quarantine after taking radioactive iodine?

Sleep alone for 7 days unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Avoid kissing and physical contact with others, and maintain a distance of at least 3 feet from women who are pregnant and children under 18 years old.

What happens when Iodine-131 enters the body?

Once inside the body, I-131 will be absorbed by the thyroid gland exposing it to radiation and potentially increasing the risk for thyroid cancer or other thyroid problems.

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.

How successful is radioactive iodine treatment?

Conclusion: Radioactive iodine treatment is an effective modality for definitive treatment of hyperthyroidism with long-term cure approaching 80%.

How long does radioactive iodine stay on clothes?

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.

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.

Is it safe to be around someone after radioactive iodine treatment?

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.

What are the dangers of iodine-131?

I-131 collects in the thyroid gland. People exposed to I-131, especially during childhood, may have an increased risk of thyroid disease, including thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is uncommon and is usually curable. Typically, it is a slow-growing cancer that is highly treatable.

What are the dangers of iodine 131?

Where do you stay after radioactive iodine treatment?

They stay at a safe distance from you and can only stay in your room with you for as long as is necessary. This is because they will care for many people who have this treatment. So the amount of radiation they are exposed to has to be carefully controlled.

Which is better radioactive iodine or surgery?

Due to many benefits, radioiodine is preferred in most of the adult patients with Graves’ hyperthyroidism while only small proportion of patients is sent to surgery. Radioiodine is especially the treatment of choice in elderly patients and patients with heart disease.

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 you fly after radioactive iodine?

Generally speaking, even if you trigger the detectors (it takes a minuscule amount to trigger the detectors), it would be safe for you to travel within a few days to a week. If you were treated with iodine-131 for thyroid cancer, it would generally be safe for you to travel within a few days to perhaps a week.

Can you touch someone after radiation?

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.

How much weight do you lose during radiation treatment?

For the entire population, the mean BMI was 22.60 kg/m2. A total of 212 patients (8.7%) were underweight, 1157 (47.6%) were normal weight, and 1064 (43.7%) were overweight/obese. During radiation treatment, the mean weight loss was 4.33 kg, and 53.6% (1303) patients had high weight loss (HWL; ΔW≥5%).

What foods should I avoid during radiation?

Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It’s also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.

What are 3 side effects of radiation therapy?

Treatment areas and possible side effects

• Fatigue.
• Hair loss.
• Memory or concentration problems.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Skin changes.
• Headache.
• Blurry vision.

What should you avoid during radiation?

Can I take vitamin D during radiation?

Not all vitamin and mineral supplements have antioxidants. For example calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 are not antioxidants. These vitamins and minerals are safe to take during your radiation treatment.

Is radiation treatment painful?

Does radiation therapy hurt? No, radiation therapy does not hurt while it is being given. But the side effects that people may get from radiation therapy can cause pain and discomfort. This booklet has a lot of information about ways that you and your doctor and nurse can help manage side effects.

What is the next step after radiation therapy?

You will meet with your radiation oncologist about 3 to 6 weeks after you complete your radiation treatments. Your radiation oncologist may ask you to have another scan (CT, PET, or MRI) before the follow-up appointment. You will meet with your doctor 3 to 6 weeks after you complete your radiation treatment course.