Patients

WHAT IS AN I-131 THERAPY DOSE FOR ?

!       I-131 therapy detects and treats any areas of residual thyroid tissue or tumour.

IS ANY PREPARATION REQUIRED?

!       For at least 1 month prior to I-131 therapy you must not have had iodine containing preparations (certain vitamin tablets, cough mixtures and kelp tablets) or X ray contrasts used for angiograms and CT scans.

!       Thyroid hormone medication will also need to be stopped for approximately 6 weeks before therapy. This will be arranged by your own doctor.

!       In addition, you require certain blood tests on the morning before I-131 administration (to check whether any residual thyroid tissue is adequately stimulated, and a pregnancy test if you are a woman of childbearing age). These tests will be organized by your own doctors.

!       The I-131 therapy dose is administered while you are in hospital. A hospital bed will be arranged for you.

VERY IMPORTANT

IF YOU ARE, OR COULD BE, PREGNANT OR ARE BREAST FEEDING, PLEASE NOTIFY STAFF BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE THERAPY DOSE. YOU MUST ALSO NOT BECOME PREGNANT FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS AFTER THE I131 THERAPY DOSE.

WHAT DOES AN I-131 THERAPY DOSE INVOLVE ?

! You will be admitted to a single room. A drug may be given to you prior to I-131 therapy to prevent potential nausea.

! A doctor and a technologist will come from the Department of Nuclear Medicine to administer the therapy dose. The doctor will check certain details (such as the date of surgery, and the result of any blood tests you may have had).

! You will then be asked to swallow a capsule containing the iodine-131. This radioisotope is accumulated by areas of thyroid tissue and destroys these areas.

!       The I-131 causes very few side effects. You may experience some minor neck discomfort over the first few days. No other discomfort is likely, though you need to remain in an isolation room for an average of four days.

!       The isolation room is used to limit radiation exposure to other people. You will be instructed about certain simple precautions to undertake.

!       The hospital's radiation safety officer will check your radioactivity level and will decide when you can be discharged home from hospital (usually three days after admission).

!       Before you are discharged, you will be brought to the Department of Nuclear Medicine where pictures of your body will be taken from various angles. Further delayed views may also be necessary.

!       When you are sent home, you will be instructed as to certain simple precautions to take over at least the next 7 days. Any additional precautions will be discussed with you.

1.    Avoid close or prolonged contact with pregnant women or very small children. A good guide is to stay more than one arm’s length away from people.

2.    Avoid unnecessary trips on public transport and attending public entertainment (you could be sitting next to someone pregnant).

3.    Flush toilet twice after use. Wash hands copiously.

4.    Do not attend work if this involves prolonged contact with people.

5.    If convenient, sleep in a single bed if partner is less than 50 years of age.

6.    Wash hands carefully before preparing food. Do not share your utensils with other family members and avoid activities which may involve exchange of saliva (e.g. kissing).

7.    If you are admitted to hospital within 4 weeks of the dose, please arrange for the Nuclear Medicine Department to be notified.

The following is an example of an information card which should be given to the patient at the time of discharge, and which the patient should carry with them at all times for as long as the hospital has recommended (usually up to 4 weeks).

THIS CARD SHOULD BE CARRIED AT ALL TIMES UNTIL (date)

Patient name:

Address:

Treating hospital:

Hospital record number:

Treating doctor:

Radionuclide and form:

Activity:

Administered on (date):

In case of difficulty, please contact:

Telephone:                                     or the doctor named above.

Patient instructions :

1. Avoid all close contact with children or pregnant women until (date).
2. Avoid extended periods of close contact with children or pregnant women until (date).
3. Avoid prolonged personal contact with adults at home until (date).
4. Avoid prolonged close personal contact with adults away from home until (date).
5. You may return to work on (date).
6. Do not sleep with an adult in the same bed until (date).

 Signed:
(treating doctor)                                        

 Date: