Radioactive Iodine Treatment for Thyroid Cancer

What is Radioactive Iodine Treatment for Thyroid Cancer

Radioactive iodine treatment is a treatment for thyroid cancer. The treatment involves swallowing a substance called radioactive iodine, or radioiodine. The substance is absorbed by the thyroid gland and destroys cancerous tissue.

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any allergies you have.
  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • Any surgeries you have had.
  • Any medical conditions you have.
  • Any blood disorders you have.
  • Whether you are breastfeeding.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Dry mouth and dry eyes.
  • Swelling, pain, or tenderness in the neck.
  • Swelling of the glands that make saliva (salivary glands).
  • Changes in taste.
  • Increased risk for leukemia or other cancers.
  • Lower sperm count or infertility in men.
  • Irregular menstrual periods in women.

What happens before the procedure?

Eating and drinking

  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
  • Follow the low-iodine diet as told by your health care provider. Check ingredients on packaged foods and beverages because there are foods that you will need to avoid while on the low-iodine diet:
    • Avoid iodized table salt and foods that have iodized salt.
    • Avoid seafood, seaweed, soybeans, and soy products.
    • Avoid dairy products and eggs.
    • Avoid the food dye Red No. 3 because it has iodine.

Tests and exams

  • See your health care provider for any needed tests and exams. Before your treatment:
    • You will have tests to check your thyroid hormone levels.
    • You will take a small dose of radioactive iodine and have a body scan. The dose will be much smaller than your normal treatment dose. The body scan will show if your body is absorbing the iodine.
    • You may get injections of thyroid-stimulating hormone to help your body absorb iodine.

General instructions

  • If you are breastfeeding, ask your health care provider when to stop. Radioactive iodine can pass into your milk.
  • Ask your health care provider about changing or stopping your regular medicines. You may have to stop taking your thyroid hormone medicine or other medicines.

What happens during the procedure?

  • You will have a body scan to check for cancerous cells in your thyroid.
  • You may get medicine to prevent nausea or vomiting.
  • You will go to an isolated room with lead-lined walls. The room will protect others from the radioactive treatment that you will receive.
  • You will take the radioactive iodine in liquid or pill form. You may have water to swallow the pills.
  • You will have to stay in the isolated room with lead-lined walls for 2 hours.

What happens after the procedure?

  • You will have a body scan to check if the radioactive iodine is being absorbed by your thyroid.
  • Do not eat or drink for 1–2 hours after the procedure as instructed by your health care provider.
  • Your health care provider will discuss with you whether you need to stay in the hospital a few days.
  • You can drive home after the procedure if you are alone in the car. Avoid using public transportation to get home after the procedure because the radiation in your body can affect other people.

Summary

  • Radioactive iodine treatment is a treatment for thyroid cancer.
  • Generally, radioactive iodine treatment is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur.
  • You will have to stay in the isolated room with lead-lined walls for 2 hours.
  • Do not eat or drink for 1–2 hours after the procedure.
  • You can drive home after the procedure if you are alone in the car. Avoid using public transportation to get home after the procedure because the radiation in your body can affect other people.

Radioactive Iodine Treatment for Thyroid Cancer, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, your body and all of your body fluids—such as sweat, urine, stool, and saliva—will be radioactive. It is common have:

  • Pain and swelling in the glands that make saliva (salivary glands).
  • Dry mouth and less saliva.
  • Changes in taste.
  • Pain and swelling in the mouth and cheeks.
  • Mild nausea.
  • Swelling or pain in the neck.

Follow these instructions at home:

Eating and drinking

  • Do not eat or drink for 1–2 hours after the procedure.
  • Do notshare your utensils, food, or drinks with other people for as long as told by your health care provider.
  • Chew gum or suck on hard candy if your mouth is dry.
  • Follow the diet that your health care provider recommends.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.

Lifestyle

  • Avoid being in close contact with other people for as long as told by your health care provider. The radiation in your body can affect others. It is especially important to avoid children and pregnant women because they are more sensitive to radiation. For as long as told by your health care provider:
    • Sleep in a separate bed if you share your bed with another person.
    • Clean up any spills of urine or stool in the bathroom immediately. Flush the toilet twice after each use.
    • Wash your clothes separately from other people’s clothes.
    • Avoid sexual contact of any kind.
    • Stay home from work.
    • Avoid using public transportation or riding in the car with other people.

General instructions

  • Avoid becoming pregnant or getting someone else pregnant for one year after treatment.
  • If you breastfeed, ask your health care provider when it is safe to resume breastfeeding.
  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have severe nausea and vomiting.
  • You are having problems eating or drinking.
  • You are constipated or have diarrhea.

Get help right away if:

  • You are having problems breathing.
  • Your salivary glands are extremely painful and swollen.
  • Your saliva smells or tastes bad.

Summary

  • This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer.
  • Do notshare your utensils, food, or drinks with other people for as long as told by your health care provider.
  • Avoid being around other people for as long as told by your health care provider. The radiation in your body can affect others. It is especially important to avoid children and pregnant women because they are more sensitive to radiation.
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