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Procedure:

• Your treating doctor has asked us to give you radioactive Iodine-131 treatment for your thyroid cancer.

• To have this treatment, admission into hospital for 2-3 days is required, whereby you will be cared for in a private room i.e. visitors and other patients have limited access into your room (Medical staff are excluded).

• The first dose of Iodine-131 following surgery, is given to completely eradicate any residual thyroid tissue that may still be present in the body.

• The Iodine-131 destroys any functioning thyroid tissue by releasing radiation (electrons or beta particles). Remnant thyroid tissue takes up most of the Iodine-131 and the rest is excreted in the urine, saliva, sweat and the bowels.

• You cannot have this therapy if you are pregnant, breast feeding or attempting to fall pregnant.

• If you are planning further children, this should be postponed for at least 6 months after the Iodine-131 treatment (males & females).

• Breast-feeding should be stopped completely.

• The Iodine-131 is colourless and tasteless and is given in capsule form.

• Note: ​For people who have difficulty swallowing capsules, there is a liquid alternative and this information should be conveyed to your doctor.

• After you have had the capsule, you will be given something to eat and drink.

• This helps in breaking up the capsule in the stomach and allows for rapid absorption of the Iodine-131.

• Sucking on sweet and sour lollies helps increase salivary production to minimise the radiation dose to the salivary glands.

• Iodine-131 treatment has been given successfully for more than 35 years and is very safe.

• After swallowing the capsule, you will remain in your room alone for 2 to 3 days.

• Visits by nursing staff and visitors are kept to a minimum to reduce their exposure to the radiation.

• A doctor or scientist will return on the third day of your hospital stay to monitor if you are ready for discharge.

• On the day of your release from hospital, you will have a Whole Body Iodine Scan at Alfred Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound, RPAH Medical Centre, Level 2, Suite 206, 100 Carillon Ave, Newtown, 2042.

• Once your scan is complete, you may need to see your referring doctor for the last time before going home.

• This will be organised when you are discharged from hospital.

• You receive a radiation dose by having an Iodine-131 therapy but the benefits from this treatment far outweigh any radiation risks.  

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Some simple precautions should be followed:

• For the first THREE days after leaving the hospital:

  • Use separate eating utensils.

  • No lip kisses.

  • No sexual intercourse.

  • Need to sleep alone.

  • Do not undertake long trips on planes or other public transport.

  • Do not attend the cinema.

  • If you have young children in your house, have them stay elsewhere with relatives if possible.

  • Double flush the toilet and wash your hands well.

• For the first WEEK:

  • Spend as little time as possible close up to people.

  • When in the same room, step back a meter or two (since the radiation is absorbed in air).

  • Do not undertake long trips on planes.

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​​Important Note:

• It has been found that for a period of 12 weeks, some very sensitive airport & security alarms may be triggered off by the small amount of radioactivity remaining in your body.

• A letter outlining your treatment will be given to you and should be kept with your travel documents if you plan international travel during this period.

 

Patient Preparation:

• You can not be pregnant, trying to fall pregnant or breast feeding to have this treatment.

• If you are of child-bearing age, we require a beta-HCG blood test stating you are not pregnant before we can proceed with the treatment. This should be undertaken less than three days prior the therapy.

• You must not take your Thyroxine (T4) for 5 weeks prior to your I-131 capsule.

• You will be placed on Triiodothyronine (T3) for 3 weeks then you need to stop this 2 weeks prior to your I-131 capsule.

• A blood test will be arranged 2 - 3 days before your treatment to assess your eligibility for I-131 therapy.

• Your doctor will give you all the relevant dates, instructions, referrals prior your consultation with us.

• Bring a list of any medications you are taking.

• A low Iodine diet is ideal for 2 weeks prior your test i.e. Avoid: Seaweed and Kelp products, Agar, Carrageen, Sushi, Seafood, Multivitamins, Skin products with Iodine, Iodized Salt, Milk/Dairy products, Eggs, FDC Red dye #3, Chocolate, Commercial Bread with Iodine, cough syrups, etc...

• Investigations with Iodine contrast media should be avoided for at least 8 weeks prior your treatment.

• Amiodarone can effect the treatment of your thyroid for up to 2 years after cessation. Please seek advise from your doctor or call us to discuss.

• If you are taking Neo-Mercazole (Carbimazole) or Propylthiouracil (PTU), you need to stop these one week prior treatment.

• If you have had prior imaging e.g. PET, Nuclear Scan, CT, MRI, X-Ray, Ultrasound, etc... please bring these with you. 

• Please also bring your referral and any blood results that you may have had done.

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Breast-Feeding Mothers: Once you have been given the tracer, you need to stop breast-feeding completely.