During treatment for thyroid cancer, you may have to follow dietary guidelines that limit the amount of iodine in your diet. Your doctor or treatment team will determine whether this is necessary and can provide you with information about appropriate food choices. If you have thyroid cancer, do not start a low-iodine diet without first consulting your health care provider.
Thyroid Cancer
The thyroid gland is a gland at the base of your throat that produces hormones that are involved in heart rate, blood pressure and other bodily functions. According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2010, more than 44,000 individuals in the United States were diagnosed with this disease, and over 1,600 people died from it. There are several different types of thyroid cancer, and treatment depends on the type and stage.
Iodine Treatment for Cancer
One of the treatments for papillary or follicular thyroid cancers is radioactive iodine therapy. Your thyroid gland naturally absorbs almost all of the iodine in your blood, and when radioactive iodine is injected into the bloodstream or taken orally, thyroid cancer cells can be killed, with minimal effects on the rest of your body, states the American Cancer Society. For patients whose thyroid cancer has spread to the neck or other organs, this treatment is extremely effective. Side effects can include nausea, dry mouth, neck tenderness and changes in how foods taste, but these tend to be short-term and resolve over time.
Dietary Iodine
During treatment with radioactive iodine, your doctor may suggest following a low-iodine diet. According to the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, the purpose of this is to cause a deficiency of iodine in your body, so that when the radioactive iodine is given, the thyroid absorbs it all to replenish its stores. Foods that you can eat freely on a low-iodine diet include fresh fruits and fruit juices, vegetables and unsalted nuts. You may be able to eat moderate amounts of chicken, grain products and other meats; talk with your doctor to see how much of these foods are suggested. Dairy products, seafood, most chocolates, whole eggs and anything containing Red Dye #3 should be avoided, states the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association. Before starting a low-iodine diet, consult your treatment team to get a complete list of foods to eat and foods to avoid.
Warnings
Do not start a low-iodine diet without first talking with your doctor or treatment team. In some hospitals or cancer treatment centers, there are nutritionists with experience working with different types of cancers; a nutritionist familiar with diets for thyroid cancer may be able to help you plan nutritious meals while keeping iodine consumption to a minimum.
