My Fiancee Just Had Radioactive Iodine Treatment For Grave’s Disease

Posted on Thu, 16 Jan 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 Answered on

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Question : My fiancee just had radioactive iodine treatment for Grave’s disease yesterday. They did not mention it, but she is concerned she may have to avoid contact with me and her daughter so we do not contract any secondhand radiation from her. Does the level of radiation she receives affect the level she radiates?

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
About I131 radiation:

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern.
Yes, radioactive iodine radiation depends on the dose and usually Graves' disease needs 8-10 mcy I131.
This is considered a low dose but it can radiate in the environement and we recommend not to be in contact with people for 3 days.
Hope the information will help.
Best wishes,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad