Medical professionals administer radioactive iodine, RAI, about eight weeks after removing all or part of your thyroid infected with cancer. These RAI treatments help eradicate any remaining thyroid cancer cells in your body. Before your scheduled RAI procedure, your doctor might advise you to stop taking or decrease the dosage of your current thyroid medication to help prepare your body for the procedure. Your doctor might also recommend that you adhere to a low iodine diet — less than 50 mg of iodine per day — to deplete your body 's stored iodine reserves to potentially increase the effectiveness of the RAI treatment, according to the Thyroid Cancer Survivor's Association, THyCa.
Time Frame
You should follow the low-iodine diet for at least one week before your surgery, according to Columbia University Medical Center's Department of Surgery. However, your doctor might suggest that you adhere to the diet for two weeks or more, depending on your individual medical condition.
Foods to Eat
While on the diet, eat raw, frozen or freshly prepared, unsalted vegetables such as zucchini, tomatoes, squash and spinach. You can also eat the inside of potatoes, but not the skins. Consume up to 5 oz. per day of fresh meats such as chicken, beef, veal, lamb and pork. Eat sweeteners such as unsulfured molasses, honey, sugar, maple syrup and jelly. Eat vegetable oils such as olive oil; uniodized salt, such as kosher salt; black pepper; and dried or fresh herbs.
Consume fresh fruits such as apples, melons and grapes and also fruit juices. Eat up to four servings per day of grains such as whole-grain cereals, pastas and breads. However, you should check the labels to ensure that these products do not contain iodine, according to ThyCa. Additionally, consume unsalted nuts and nut butters. Drink non-instant coffee. Drink diet or regular sodas that do not list the iodine-containing Red Dye #3. Drink liquor, wine or beer, if desired.
Foods to Avoid
Do not eat iodized salt, shellfish, fish or canned vegetables and fruits. Do not consume any salty, prepared foods, such as nuts, pretzels or chips. Do not eat salty, already-prepared or packaged foods such as Japanese or Chinese food, canned chili or frozen or commercially-prepared pizza. Additionally, do not eat white bread, any red-, orange- or brown-dye-containing foods or beverages or spicy or cured meats such as salami, bacon or ham.
Do not eat soybeans or soybean-containing products such as tofu or soy sauce. Abstain from ingesting milk chocolate, cow peas, lima beans, navy beans or kidney beans. Furthermore, do not consume whole eggs, egg yolks or dairy products such as milk, butter, whey protein, ice cream, cheese, cream or yogurt.
Considerations
Discontinue use of any over-the-counter, iodine-containing vitamin or mineral supplement. However, if you take a prescription medication that contains iodine, speak with your doctor before you stop taking it. Your doctor might suggest that you take a lower dosage of the medication to remain healthy until your thyroid ablation treatments cease.
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