I am scheduled for an outpatient radioactive iodine treatment. What is the risk of radiation exposure to my family?
At the dosing limits allowed for prescribing outpatient use of radioactive iodine, there appears to be little risk to family members in the home environment. Patients are encouraged to minimize immediate close contact for a few days, especially of body fluids such as saliva and other excretions. For example, avoid intimate kissing, sharing of food, and hugging and kissing of young children for a few days after the radioactive iodine treatment. A scientific study of this issue is reported in Radiation exposure from outpatient radioactive iodine (131I) therapy for thyroid carcinoma. JAMA. 2000 May 3; 283 (17) :2272-4. Similarly, theoretical analysis of radiation exposure to family members and co-workers shows minimum risk of radiation exposure, however minimizing direct contact for several days after treatment seems prudent. See Potential third-party radiation exposure from outpatients treated with 131I for hyperthyroidism. Med Phys. 2004 Dec;31(12):3194-200.
