Radioactive
iodineAdvice to patients receiving radioactive iodine treatment
This treatment consists of a dose of radioactive iodine-131. Its effect will be to reduce the function of your thyroid and this should relieve your symptoms. The radioactivity will fade away over the next few weeks but in the meantime there will be some radiation coming from your neck, and your urine will be contaminated with the radio-iodine for a few days. Please carry out the accompanying instructions and your family and friends will have no cause for concern. If any of these instructions cause you difficulty let us know and we will advise you further.
After your treatment you should follow these instructions:
- For the first two hours after treatment
- Do not eat or drink
- If you vomit contact us immediately to tell us, and we will advise you if any special precautions are necessary.
- For the rest of the day on which the treatment was given
- Drink plenty of fluids and go to the toilet frequently.
- For the first five days after treatment
- Maintain good personal toilet hygiene
- Do not share a bed
- Avoid spending long periods (2-3 hours) close to other adults.
- For the next two weeks after treatment
- Avoid spending more than a few minutes a day in close contact (less than 1 metre) with children and pregnant women.
- For the next three weeks after treatment
- Restrict very close contact (e.g. cuddling) with children and pregnant women to less than a few minutes a day.
Female patients should avoid becoming pregnant, and male patients should not contribute to a pregnancy, for a period of four months.