Post-Thyroidectomy Treatment
After undergoing thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer, the next step in treatment is radioactive iodine therapy (I-131), which is administered orally.
Hospital Stay Duration
For high-dose radioactive iodine treatment, patients need to stay in the hospital for approximately 3-7 days, or until the radiation level in their body decreases to a safe level before being discharged.
Preparation Before Hospitalization
- Bring personal necessities such as soap, powder, toothpaste, toothbrush, books, mobile phone, and a radio.
- Prepare sour candies, such as plum, to help increase saliva flow and reduce inflammation of the salivary glands caused by radioactive iodine.
- Avoid iodine-rich foods, such as iodized salt and seafood, for about two weeks before treatment.
- Inform the doctor of any pre-existing conditions and bring any regular medications to the hospital.
Guidelines During Radioactive Iodine Therapy
- One hour after taking radioactive iodine, drink plenty of water (about 8 glasses per day), unless water intake is restricted due to a pre-existing medical condition. Frequent urination helps expel radioactive iodine from the body.
- 24 hours after taking the medication, suck on vitamin C (50 mg) or sour candies every two hours (except while sleeping) to encourage saliva flow, preventing salivary gland inflammation caused by radiation accumulation.
- Follow a normal diet, avoiding seafood and iodine-rich foods, as the hospital will provide a suitable diet.
- Finish all food served during meals to avoid food contamination with radioactive saliva, which can be difficult to dispose of safely.
- If eating fruit, choose whole fruits that can be consumed entirely without spitting out seeds or peels to prevent contamination.
- Urinate only in the toilet and flush 2-3 times after each use. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent contamination.
- Spit out phlegm, nasal mucus, and saliva into a sink or toilet and flush immediately.
- Shower and wash your hair at least once a day to reduce radiation emitted through sweat.
- Visitors under 12 years old and pregnant women are strictly prohibited from entering the room.
- No overnight visitors are allowed. Visitors can stay for a maximum of 15 minutes per visit (or as specified on the door) and must stand behind the lead shield provided by the hospital to minimize radiation exposure.
- If experiencing nausea or vomiting, inform the doctor or nurse immediately.
Post-Treatment Care at Home
Even after being discharged, a small amount of radiation remains in the body, which will gradually decrease over time. Although it is not harmful, patients should take precautions for one week to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure to others.
- Drink plenty of water and urinate frequently to eliminate any remaining radioactive iodine from the body.
- After using the bathroom, flush 2-3 times and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Resume normal daily activities, but avoid close contact with children and pregnant women for extended periods.
- Sleep separately or maintain a distance of at least 2 meters from others.
- Use separate dining utensils or a shared serving spoon to prevent radiation contamination in saliva.
- Wash clothes separately to avoid radiation exposure through sweat.
Additional Guidelines After Treatment
- Take thyroid hormone medication exactly as prescribed by the doctor, starting from the first day after discharge.
- Avoid pregnancy until the disease is in a safe stage. Consult a doctor before planning for pregnancy.
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments.
- If experiencing unusual symptoms, consult a local doctor first before visiting the hospital. If the symptoms are suspected to be related to thyroid disease, patients may visit Piyavate Hospital before their scheduled appointment during official hours.
Information provided by:
Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University.
