Hello – Your best source of information should be the specific instructions given by your local clinic, as guidelines can vary from state to state and facility to facility.
If you just want some general info, this link is to the American Thyroid Association’s guidance on radiation safety.
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http://www.thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/publications/guidelines/thy.2010.0403.pdf
The ATA does *not* recommend a hotel stay after RAI, due to potential risks to hotel staff that might be pregnant.
If your boys are older, they will hopefully understand the need to keep your distance for a couple of days. With younger kids, though, they just can’t understand, so it’s better to plan for an alternate location (like a friend’s home) for yourself or for your boys.
The “Treatment Options” thread in the announcements section of the forum has a couple of nice links that go through the pros and cons of anti-thyroid meds, RAI, and surgery. Although liver damage is quite rare with PTU, this is obviously a very serious issue, so is something to be aware of.
Wishing you all the best as you make this decision!
