How long should my husband sleep alone after radioiodine treatment?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on snmmi.org

When can you be around people after radioactive iodine?

For the first 8 hours after RAI treatment, people must remain at least 3 feet from other people. For the first 7 days after treatment, people will need to: sleep alone. avoid any physical contact with other people.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com

Can I sleep with partner after iodine-131 treatment?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancer.stonybrookmedicine.edu

How long should I isolate 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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on eced.squarespace.com

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

The radiation will pass out of your body through your urine within days. Until that time, you will give off radiation in your sweat, your saliva, your urine, and anything else that comes out of your body. It is important to avoid exposing other people to the radioactivity from your body.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on myhealth.alberta.ca

What Can I Do After Radioactive Iodine Treatment?

38 related questions found

How long is isolation after radioactive thyroid treatment?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on snmmi.org

Can you hug someone after radiation?

Some patients worry that undergoing radiation therapy can be harmful to others because they are radioactive. For example, patients sometimes think they can't cuddle with their partner or hold a grandchild on their lap until after treatment. However, most patients don't need to worry about being radioactive.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on utswmed.org

What happens if someone is exposed to radioactive iodine?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on atsdr.cdc.gov

How do you clean your house after radioactive iodine?

The First Four Days:
  1. If possible, use a separate bathroom.
  2. Flush the toilet two times after each use.
  3. Men should sit down when urinating.
  4. If urine should be spilled/splashed, wash and rinse the affected area three times, using paper towels or tissue.
  5. Be sure to carefully wash your hands after using the bathroom.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hps.org

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mskcc.org

What is the most common complication of radioiodine therapy?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancerresearchuk.org

How much weight will I gain after radioactive iodine treatment?

In effect, men were 1.7 times more likely and women 1.3 times more likely to gain enough weight to be considered in the obese body mass index (BMI) range. When compared with drugs alone, treatment that included RAI was linked with an additional gain of about 1.3 pounds.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthcentral.com

What precautions should be taken after radioactive iodine uptake test?

Considerations. The radioactive iodine leaves your body through your urine. You should not need to take special precautions, such as flushing twice after urinating, for 24 to 48 hours after the test. Ask your provider or the radiology/nuclear medicine team performing the scan about taking precautions.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mountsinai.org

How do you wash clothes after radiation?

You can still use tap water for decontamination.

Any radioactive material that gets into surface water or ground water sources will be diluted to very low levels by the water and will be safe to use for washing skin, hair, and clothing.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov

Do you need to be isolated after radiation?

Protecting others from the radiation

Being in a room on your own (isolation) protects other people from radiation. Pregnant women and children are not allowed into your room. Other visitors may be able to stay for a short time when it is safe for them to do so.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancerresearchuk.org

How long does radioactive stay on surfaces?

So the general rule of thumb is that after three months, all of the radioactivity is gone. Please let me know if you have any questions or need clarification.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hps.org

Can you be around someone after radiation treatment?

Some people with cancer who receive radiation therapy worry that their bodies will become “radioactive” after they receive radiation treatment. Their concern is that close physical contact with others could expose them to radiation. “The general answer to this concern is that physical contact is fine,” Snyder says.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.clevelandclinic.org

How long are you radioactive after a thyroid uptake scan?

However, the amount of radioactivity is minute, so special precautions may or may not be advised for 24 to 48 hours (often this simply includes flushing twice after urinating). Consult the health care provider or the radiology/nuclear medicine department performing the scan.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on uclahealth.org

How long does radiation stay in your body after treatment?

The radiation stays in the body for anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Most people receive internal radiation therapy for just a few minutes. Sometimes, internal radiation therapy can be given for more time. If so, they stay in a private room to limit other people's exposure to radiation.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancer.net

Can radiation affect your spouse?

Any radiation therapy that is transient, including external beam radiation or brachytherapy that is removed, poses no risk to family members.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancertherapyadvisor.com

Does radiation affect your partner?

External-beam radiation therapy to the pelvis (such as to the anus, bladder, penis, or prostate) and brachytherapy (also called internal radiation therapy) can affect a man's sexual function. If blood vessels or nerves are damaged, it may be difficult to get or keep an erection; this is called erectile dysfunction.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancer.gov

Can you kiss after radiation?



A common side effect of radiation treatment is not producing enough saliva. This may cause dry mouth and bad breath, which affects kissing and oral sex.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on uhn.ca

What foods should you avoid after radioactive iodine treatment?

Food to avoid

You shouldn't eat these foods as they have high levels of iodine: fish, seafood, seaweed, kelp and laverbread. raw green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli. cakes and biscuits made with eggs or butter.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancerresearchuk.org

What precautions should be taken during radioactive implant?

Some precautions may include: Remaining in the hospital for some time after the implant is placed. Limiting the number of visitors during treatment and possibly the amount of time you spend with them. Limiting your time spent with children and pregnant women.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on oncolink.org

How much water should I drink after radioactive iodine?

For 24 hours after your dose: – Drink at least 1 glass (8 ounces) of clear fluids such as water or juice every hour. Keep drinking plenty of clear fluids such as water or juice for at least the first 3 days.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on uwmedicine.org