Radio-active iodine

I think there are different doses and regimes for treating overactive thyroid and thyroid cancer. The higher dose needs the isolation etc. Either way treatment is usually very successful.

Perhaps I had a super large dose, or things are more modern. Good luck anyway.

Thank you for the link Grannyactivist, we will have a look at that.

Seasider and Sodapop thanks for the reassurance and we have been warned that he will probably have to take Thyroxine after.

LullyDully fortunately he is only required to be in hospital for a few hours.

My daughter had this treatment some years ago, she was quite poorly due to her over active thyroid. The treatment itself was ok and she only had to keep away from the children for a few days. Unfortunately its not an exact science or it wasn't then and now her thyroid is under active so she takes Thyroxine daily. She is perfectly fit and healthy otherwise.

This is a fascinating process. I had an isolated room for about 3 days . No one could come in. I had a telephone line, lots of books,, dvds, radio and tv. It was a case of drinking gallons of water and peeing out the radiation in a special hospital suit. I really enjoyed it in an odd way.

It is so odd being alone but at one time I imagined I was joined by a very chatty bunch of dead female relatives headed by my old mum. Weird but fun.

The more you drink, the quicker they let you go home ,after testing you with Geiger counter.

I think I had 3 weeks off teaching as I couldn't be near children.

I had this treatment a few years ago. DP and I still shared a bed but tried not to touch each other (it's a big bed). I was told to avoid young children and pregnant women so I was off work for a few weeks. Other visitors just sat across the room away from me! I had a card to produce if I travelled in the following four months . I am not sure if it would affect airport machines! I did not feel ill and quite enjoyed my enforced isolation!

I'm sure a knowledgeable gran will come along to chat soon, but in the meantime it might help to talk to people who have experience of this first -hand pinkpeony. Check out the information here: www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/thyroid-cancer/treating/radiotherapy/radioactive-iodine and maybe call the helpline to get the full picture and ask any questions that are particularly pressing.