Radioactive Iodine Treatment

Most people don't feel different after treatment. But a few people may have nausea.

Within a few days after treatment, the radioactive iodine will leave your body in your urine and saliva. How long it takes will depend on your age and on the dose you received. Young people get rid of radioactive iodine faster than older adults. Drink plenty of fluids during this time to help your body get rid of the radioactivity.

Your doctor will give you written instructions. To avoid exposing other people to radioactivity, it is important to follow these carefully. He or she will instruct you on how far to stay away from people, how long you need to sleep alone, and other ways to stay safe. You will be told to avoid close contact, kissing, sex, and sharing cups, dishes, or utensils.

Some general recommendations include:^{footnote 1}

• Keep your distance from other people, especially children and pregnant women.
• Do not sit next to someone in a motor vehicle for more than 1 hour.
• Avoid close contact, kissing, or sex.
• Sleep alone in a separate room.
• Use separate towels, washcloths, and sheets. Wash these and your personal clothing separately for 1 week.
• Flush the toilet twice after each use. Rinse the bathroom sink and tub thoroughly after you use them.

After treatment, you may have follow-up exams every 4 to 6 weeks to check your thyroid hormone levels.

Radioactive iodine may be used to treat hyperthyroidism in people who have noncancerous (benign) thyroid nodules, Opens dialog that make too much thyroid hormone, Opens dialog.

Radioactive iodine is also used if you have your thyroid removed (thyroidectomy) because of thyroid cancer. Radioactive iodine therapy destroys any remaining thyroid tissue or cancer cells that were not removed during surgery.