Radiation Dose Assessment to Family Members Taking Care of Non-Cancerous Thyroid Patients Treated With I-131 Therapy in Nuclear Medicine Department Publisher Pubmed



Kadhim AA^{1, 4} ; Sheikhzadeh P² ; Farzanefar S² ; Yavari S² ; Ay MR^{1, 3}
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry Published:2020

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effective doses of caregivers taking care of non-cancerous patients treated with iodine-131 (I-131). Patients (administered 185-1110 MBq of I-131) were given specific radiation safety instructions (RSI). Afterwards, caregivers were provided with thermoluminescent (TLD) dosimeter badges to be worn for 12-28 days when taking care of the patients. At the end of this period, TLD measurements were obtained. Results showed that caregivers' mean effective dose was 0.15 ± 0.15 mSv, which is far less than the international recommendations of 5 mSv. Furthermore, the effective doses had no significant correlation with administered I-131 activity to the patients, distance from the hospital, caregivers' age, educational level and mode of transport. Our study showed that radiation doses received by caregivers of non-cancerous patients are higher than that of cancerous patients, nevertheless their received doses were within the international limits, thereby indicating good compliance by the caregivers to RSI. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com