radioactive iodine

[weemang]

how long must a person avoid close contact with children after taking radioactive iodine for thyroid treatment

[soxcox1]

In my area its about 13 days, after that you can have approx 15 mins per day fro the remaining 22 days. The department giving you the iodine treatment should give you all this detail

[skyep]

weemang - Just put radio active iodine treatment into ask jeeves. Several threads came up, just read 2-3 weeks but check it out!

[soxcox1]

Sometimes depends on dose too

[alijangra]

Yes as soxcox1 says, it depends on the dose. My first ward did this treatment, I used to feel so sorry for the patient being so isolated. Mind you, I would prob be glad of the peace and quiet and the chance to read a few books!!

[soxcox1]

Dose tends to depend on the reason for treatment - bigger doses tend to have inpatient stays so the radioactivity can be well contained

[alijangra]

'Inpatient stay' is an understatement! The patient is contained in a lead lined room, no visitors and absolute minimum staff contact. They need to have counseling first and can be detained by police if they try to leave before their radiation levels are safe!!