Radioiodine therapy: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Seek emergency help for trouble breathing, severe difficulty swallowing, fainting, confusion, chest pain, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat with fever or severe agitation.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Contact the nuclear medicine team promptly if you vomit soon after taking the dose.

   The vomit may contain radioactive material, so do not clean it up until you have received safety instructions.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Also arrange routine review if you later notice ongoing tiredness, feeling unusually cold, constipation or other possible signs of an underactive thyroid.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Radioiodine therapy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.