Free Downloadable PublicationsThe Low-Iodine Diet – SummaryThe Low-Iodine Diet – DetailsFor More Information The Low-Iodine Diet — Summary The short-term low-iodine diet is another part of preparing to receive radioactive iodine for papillary or follicular thyroid cancer or one of their variants. The diet, recommended by ThyCa Medical Advisors, other thyroid cancer experts, and the American Thyroid Association, increases the effectiveness of the radioactive iodine treatment. Not Allowed—Avoid These Foods and Ingredients Note that sodium is not an issue. What is to be avoided is the added iodine found in iodized salt, which is widely used, especially in processed foods. It’s preferable to avoid processed foods while on the diet, if possible, because food manufacturers are not required to list the iodine content. Therefore, if salt is a listed ingredient, you have no way of knowing whether it’s iodized or non-iodized. This does not apply to foods that naturally contain sodium without salt as an ingredient.

There are many foods you can eat while on the low-iodine diet. It is a good idea to cook meals yourself, using fresh ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed meats. Return to top of page Many thyroid cancer patients with papillary or follicular thyroid cancer receive a dose of radioactive iodine (RAI) about two months after their surgery in an attempt to destroy (ablate) any remaining thyroid cells in their bodies. These thyroid cancer patients may also undergo whole-body radioiodine scans at periodic intervals, using a “tracer” dose of RAI. If their scan is not “clean,” they may then receive treatment with a larger dose of RAI in an attempt to eliminate remaining thyroid cells. In preparation for an RAI scan or RAI treatment, patients are usually asked to go on a low-iodine diet (LID). The diet is to prepare for the RAI. The patient follows the diet when preparing for RAI either by temporarily stopping levothyroxine (withdrawal) or by receiving injections of Thyrogen® (recombinant TSH) while continuing on levothyroxine.

The purpose of a low-iodine diet is to deplete the body of its stores of iodine, to help increase the effectiveness of the radioactive iodine scan or treatment. The premise is that when the radioactive iodine is administered, the thyroid cells will “suck” up the iodine, because the body has been so depleted. This diet is for a short time period. best wine from parisThe usual time period is around two weeks (14 days) or slightly more. top brand wine price in indiaThe diet usually begins around two weeks before testing and continues through the testing and treatment period. best wine expensiveHowever, recommendations for the time period can vary, depending partly on the individual patient’s circumstances.box of wine weight

The following is a combination of diet guidelines from several ThyCa medical advisors (who use urine iodine testing to check patients' iodine levels), from researchers' findings presented in medical journals and at ThyCa conferences, and from input from members of our Medical Advisory Council. Your physician may have different guidelines. Please check with your doctor before you start the diet.box of wine holder Avoid the following foods, starting when instructed by your physician before your radioactive iodine test or treatment. best red wine nzContinue as instructed until after your radioactive iodine treatment (often for about 24 hours after). These foods and ingredients are high in iodine (over 20 mcg per serving, according to researchers' presentations at our conferences). If you are taking a Medication that contains iodine, check with your physician.

Some diets from thyroid cancer specialists and researchers recommend limiting the daily intake of foods that are moderate in iodine: 5 to 20 mcg per serving. Although restaurants generally use non-iodized salt, it is not possible to know whether a particular restaurant is using iodized salt or sea salt. The manager or serving staff may not know what product is being used, or whether butter or other dairy products are present in foods. The ingredients that chain and fast-food restaurants use may change. Therefore, we suggest that you avoid restaurant foods other than plain juices or soft drinks, or the inside of a plain baked potato. For most restaurant foods, there is no reasonable way to determine which restaurants use iodized salt. Avoid if in doubt. Some published low-iodine diets and researchers' presentations allow salty processed foods and other processed foods. Some of these foods include potato chips and cured and corned foods such as hot dogs, ham, corned beef, sauerkraut, bacon, sausage, and salami.

Currently, manufacturers of processed foods in the USA generally use non-iodized salt. However, food processing techniques can change and labels are not always accurate or up to date. For that reason, if fresh foods are available, many patients prefer to eat fresh foods during the short period of being on the low- iodine diet. They avoid processed food, because it is not known for sure whether or not iodized salt has been used. For any processed food, it is also important read the label to be sure there is no Red Dye #3. In the past some patients have contacted manufacturers asking whether or not they used iodized salt in their products or iodine-containing cleansers or sanitizers for their equipment and surfaces involved in food processing. Doing this is NOT recommended for the following reasons: Read the ingredient labels on all packaged foods and spices. Some support group participants have compiled lists of brands of processed and packaged foods low in iodine. A list is being reviewed for addition to ThyCa's web site and as an appendix to this cookbook.

The low-iodine diet consists mostly of fresh, low-fat, low-calorie foods. Because of this, following this diet greatly reduces the tendency to gain weight while hypothyroid. The following foods and ingredients are fine to eat. You do not need to limit the quantity, except as noted. Food prepared from fresh meats, fresh poultry, fresh or frozen vegetables, and fresh fruits should be fine for this diet, provided that you do not add any of the iodine-containing ingredients listed above. The cookbook also has a handy snack list. The key to coping well with this diet is being prepared ahead of time, especially if you are preparing for RAI by stopping your levothyroxine pills and becoming hypothyroid. Before you start becoming hypothyroid, prepare the basics and freeze. You do not want to be making chicken stock while you are hypothyroid. Remember also the handy snack list. We suggest that you stock up on snack items from the list for times when you do not feel like cooking.