Can you travel after radioactive iodine treatment?

People who have had radioactive iodine treatment can set off the radiation detection machines in airports for a week to 10 days. Check with local authorities about any steps or permission you may need to travel. If you plan to travel by car, you may set off radiation detectors.

Do you have to isolate after taking 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.

How long is isolation after 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.

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.

When can I 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 wash radiation off clothes?

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.

Can you drink alcohol after radioactive iodine?

Continue the low iodine diet for 3 days. Avoid alcoholic beverages for 3 days.

What are the safety issues 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.

When can I go back to work after radioactive iodine treatment?

The radiation safety physicist will tell you when you can go back to work. This is usually 1 to 2 days after your treatment depending on what kind of work you do, and how close you’ll be to other people.

Can you eat before radioactive iodine uptake test?

Please be sure not to eat or drink anything 2 hours prior to your first appointment (you will also need to refrain from eating or drinking for 2 hours following your appointment—see below for further exam preparation details). You will then return to the department at the same time on the following day for imaging.

Does showering remove radiation?

You can shed 85-95 percent of the radiation on your body just through the removal of outer clothing and a decontamination shower.

How do you cleanse your body of radiation?

Gently washing with water and soap removes additional radiation particles from the skin. Decontamination prevents radioactive materials from spreading more. It also lowers the risk of internal contamination from inhalation, ingestion or open wounds.

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 are images acquired for an iodine-131 whole-body scan?

For an Iodine-131 whole-body scan, we acquire the images using a gamma camera. A gamma camera is a type of radiation detector that is used to show us how the radioactive iodine is distributed throughout your body. Our cameras do not emit radiation or loud noises and are not a hazard to anyone in the vicinity while acquiring.

What is an I131 whole body scan?

An I131 whole body scan uses a radioactive substance (or tracer) to evaluate patients with thyroid cancer for residual thyroid tissue. Tell your physician if you are pregnant or nursing. Your physician will instruct you to follow a low iodine diet and which of your thyroid medications you should stop taking.

What is a 131-iodine diagnostic scan for thyroid cancer?

We perform the 131-iodine diagnostic scan following the diagnosis and surgical treatment of papillary or follicular thyroid carcinoma, a type of thyroid cancer. During this test, we take images are taken of your whole body, front and back, with the help of radioactive iodine.

How long does it take for iodine I-131 to work?

You will drink a diagnostic dose of Iodine (I)-131. There is no reaction to the I-131 dose. This will take about 60 minutes. Go to Nuclear Medicine for the I-131 whole body scan. The whole body scan is done using a special machine called a gamma camera.