Does anyone here know anything about thyroid radiation pill?

A family member I am living with is suppose to get this pill. What type of precautions should I take. I know I should stay away from them for awhile, but it freaks me out when they say not to share a shower or dishes or food. Its not like aids or a common cold. Radioactive pill that is in them is my concern. What should I do for my safety.

Should I wear vynal disposiable gloves after two week of the person touching things.

Is there any special cleaning surfaces required. Example I clean the toilet after two weeks. Should I use my regular toilet bowl brush & then throw away. When I share the same toilet at them?

This is a patient education page for radioiodine therapy, which is commonly used as a treatment for overactive thyroid. Here is some information:

"Is there any special preparation needed for the procedure?
You will be able to return home following radioactive iodine treatment, but you should avoid prolonged, close contact with other people for several days, particularly pregnant women and small children. Nearly all the radioactive iodine leaves the body during the first two days following the treatment, primarily through the urine. Small amounts will also be excreted in saliva, sweat, tears, vaginal secretions, and feces.

If your work or daily activities involve prolonged contact with small children or pregnant women, you will want to wait several days after your treatment to resume these activities. Patients with infants at home should arrange for care to be provided by another person for the first several days after treatment.

Your treatment team will give you a list of other precautions to take following your treatment with I-131. The following guidelines comply with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission:

*Use private toilet facilities, if possible, and flush twice after each use.
*Bathe daily and wash hands frequently.
*Drink a normal amount of fluids.
*Use disposable eating utensils or wash your utensils separately from others.
*Sleep alone and avoid prolonged intimate contact. Brief periods of close contact, such as handshaking and hugging, are permitted.
*Launder your linens, towels, and clothes daily at home, separately. No special cleaning of the washing machine is required between loads.
*Do not prepare food for others that requires prolonged handling with bare hands."

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm...

There is more information at the site listed above. Although this is intended for the patient receiving the treatment, it will give you a good idea of what you should avoid.

You should be able to follow the instructions the doctor gives you and be just fine. Even if you were careless your risk of exposure would still be less then you would get from a single x-ray.

Don't worry about it, follow the doctor's instructions and you will be fine.

Your family member will be given instructions from the nuclear medicine department so just follow those . Its not as scary as it sounds.

YOU MUST GO TO WWW.THYCA.ORG THEY HAVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. also, I am in a yahoo health group that I will post. we are all cancer survivors and will answer all your questions. I am so happy to be able to give you access to facts!!!
it is NOT correct to use disposable silverware and dishes, that just puts the garbage men at risk...there is a full list of precautions with up to date info on the web site. please go.