Foods high in iodine that should be avoided: table salt, dairy products, egg yolks and sea foods of all types. Wash your hands and rinse the sink. A low-iodine diet has certain limitations. However, avoid foods high in iodine (over 20 mcg per serving). Radioactive Iodine Treatment and your.
- fish, seafood, seaweed, kelp and laverbread.
- raw green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli.
- cakes and biscuits made with eggs or butter.
- milk chocolate and white chocolate.
- take away foods, fast foods and restaurant food as their ingredients aren't known and might contain iodine.
What foods should I avoid before a radioactive iodine test?
Avoid the following foods, starting when instructed prior to your radioactive iodine test, and continue until after your radioactive iodine treatment is completed. Iodized salt, sea salt (non-iodized salt may be used). Dairy products (milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, ice cream) Egg yolks, whole eggs and foods containing whole eggs.
Is a low-iodine diet necessary before radioactive iodine treatment?
However, for many thyroid patients who require radioactive iodine treatment, a low-iodine diet prior to treatment is necessary. The low-iodine diet increases the effectiveness of the therapy because iodine in your diet can prevent your thyroid gland from taking up the radioactive iodine.
What are the restrictions of a low-iodine diet?
There are certain restrictions when you are on a low-iodine diet. Some foods either contain iodine or increase your absorption of iodine. Foods to avoid while you are on a low-iodine diet include: Salt is the most common source of iodine, but low iodine has nothing to do with sodium, which is also found in salt.
What foods are considered low iodine diet foods?
Low Iodine Diet. The highest sources (and those to be avoided) are iodized salt, grains and cereals, some breads, fish from the sea, shellfish, beef, poultry, pudding mixes, milk and milk products. Detailed recipes that follow a low iodine diet can be found on the following websites: www.checkyourneck.com (Light of Life Foundation)...
Can I eat after radioactive iodine?
For 2 hours after you swallow the capsule: Do not eat any solid foods. An empty stomach helps your body absorb the radioactive iodine. Drink only water. For 3 days after you swallow the capsule: Follow your low-iodine diet.
How long does it take for radioactive iodine to leave the body?
The radioiodine from your treatment will temporarily remain in your body. Most of the radioiodine not taken up by your thyroid gland will be eliminated within the first (2) two days after treatment. Radioiodine leaves your body primarily by your urine. Very small amounts may leave in your saliva, sweat, or feces.
Can you eat seafood after radioactive iodine treatment?
AVOID fish, kelp and all seafood. AVOID vitamin supplements which contain iodine. On the day of admission you may have a light breakfast, but you must not eat anything after 8am. You should drink normally.
How much water should I drink after radioactive iodine?
First 8 hours: Drink one glass of water each hour and use the bathroom as soon as possible when you need to empty your bladder. Men should sit on the toilet while urinating to decrease splashing. Use a tissue to wipe up any urine on the toilet bowl and flush twice.
What are the long term side effects of radioactive iodine?
NCI study finds long-term increased risk of cancer death following common treatment for hyperthyroidism. New study findings show an association between the dose of a common treatment for hyperthyroidism and risk of death from solid cancers.
How do you wash clothes after radioactive iodine treatment?
Personal clothing, sheets, bedding, washcloths, and towels should be collected and washed separately for the first 48 hours. After washing, run the washing machine through an extra wash cycle to clear out any residual radioiodine before using it for others.
What can I eat after radioactive iodine?
You can eat the following foods because they contain very low levels of iodine:fruits and vegetables including potatoes.cooked green vegetables.meat.ordinary table salt and sea salt.fresh bread.rice and dries pasta.non dairy spreads such as Vitalite, Pure and non dairy Flora.olive oil, vegetable oils and nut oils.More items...
What can I eat for breakfast on a low iodine diet?
Eggs: egg whites only. Cereals and grains: oatmeal (excluding prepackaged or instant oatmeal), rice, quinoa, couscous, cornmeal, bulgur, buckwheat, plain wheat pasta or other salt-free pasta varieties. Crackers: salt-free varieties of matzo crackers, unsalted rice cakes, unsalted rice crackers.
What fruit can you eat on a low iodine diet?
FruitsFoods to includeFoods to avoidFresh fruits Canned or frozen fruits Dried fruits Applesauce (both store-bought and homemade) Fresh fruit juices (including bottles or cartons of fruit juice without artificial coloring or preservatives)Canned or bottled cherries made with Red Dye #3Oct 4, 2021
Can I drink Coke on a low iodine diet?
Drinks. Most beverages are acceptable on a low iodine diet. Coffee, tea, cola, diet cola, water, lemonade, beer, wine and fruit juices are all allowed. Any soft drink or juice with red dye, as well as all dairy products are forbidden on a low iodine diet.
Can you drink alcohol after radioactive iodine?
Continue the low iodine diet for 3 days. Avoid alcoholic beverages for 3 days.
How long after radioactive iodine treatment Can I kiss?
Avoid kissing or sexual intercourse for three to four days after treatment. Do not sleep together for an entire night until a week after treatment. Avoid prolonged physical contact, particularly with children and pregnant women; limit to 15 minutes.
How to avoid radiation?
Here are some ways to minimize radiation risks to other people (and pets) after you have had RAI treatment: 1 Stay at least six feet away from other people, including members of the public, family members, and co-workers, for three to 11 days. This means avoiding public transportation, hotels, carpools, and in some cases, your workplace. 2 Sleep apart from adults by at least six feet (a separate bedroom is recommended) and avoid sexual activity. 3 Avoid sleeping in the same bed with a pregnant woman, infant, or child for a period of six to 23 days. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, infants and children should ideally stay outside the home for the recommended period. 1 4 To protect family pets, do not sleep with them for up to 21 days.
How to minimize radiation risks?
Keep Your Distance. Here are some ways to minimize radiation risks to other people (and pets) after you have had RAI treatment: Stay at least six feet away from other people, including members of the public, family members, and co-workers, for three to 11 days. This means avoiding public transportation, hotels, carpools, and in some cases, ...
Does iodine affect thyroid?
Because the radioactive iodine used (known as iodine 131) may expose those around you to the effects of radiation (and theoretically negatively affect their thyroid glands), you will be given guidelines on how to prevent such exposure. Laura Porter / Verywell.
Can you hospitalize after a RAI?
It is not common in the United States to hospitalize patients after RAI, but if you are receiving a particularly high dosage of iodine 131 and have no way to protect children or babies, it may be an option. A Low-Iodine Diet Can Make Radioactive Iodine Treatment More Effective.
When is the next radioactive iodine treatment?
Ana Maria Kausel, MD. on July 20, 2020. If you are going to have radioactive iodine treatment for your thyroid disease, you will have to prepare in advance by following a low-iodine diet.
What is radioactive iodine?
Radioactive iodine is taken as a pill to permanently reduce your thyroid gland activity. There are a few different thyroid conditions that may be treated with radioactive iodine therapy, including several types of thyroid cancer as well as some kinds of benign (noncancerous) hyperthyroidism. 2.
Can you use red dye on food?
Foods and medications may be processed with iodine-containing Red Dye #3 (erythrosine). Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you if any of your regular medications contain iodine, in which case you may need to change to a different prescription before and throughout your radioactive iodine treatment.
Can you eat salt on a low iodine diet?
Many lament about the need to cut out salt, but know that it's fine to use non-iodized salt if you desire. Foods you can eat while on a low-iodine diet include: Non-iodized salt.
Is molasses a good source of iodine?
Blackstrap molasses ( unsulfured molasses is fine) Salt is the most common source of iodine, but low iodine has nothing to do with sodium, which is also found in salt. While you are on your low-iodine diet, sodium is fine, as long as it's from other sources.
Is radioactive iodine good for thyroid?
Radioactive iodine treatment can be a very effective method of addressing thyroid disease. The process requires a good deal of planning and preparation on your part, between following a low-iodine diet, adjusting some of your medications ahead of time, and so on.
How to get rid of radioiodine in urine?
Clean your hands thoroughly every time you use the bathroom. After you go to the bathroom, soap up and scrub your hands thoroughly, as you'll be passing the most radioiodine in your urine. Scrub for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.
How to keep dishes from spreading radioactive particles?
2. Wash your dishes separately from the rest of the dishes. Reserve dishes and utensils for yourself that only you use, kept away from other dishes and utensils. Also, wash these items separately from other household dishes so you don't spread radioactive particles to other items.
How to clean a bathroom after a precaution period?
Clean the bathroom thoroughly. After your precaution period is up, wipe down the bathroom with disinfecting wipes. Wear gloves for the process, and then place the wipes and gloves in a designated trash bag. ...
How to prevent radioactive particles in the house?
1. Wash your linens and clothes separately from the rest of the household. Always wash your towels, sheets, and clothes in a different load from other household items. They may spread radioactive particles to other items in the house if you don't take this precaution.
What to do with contaminated disposable items?
Place all contaminated disposable items in a separate trash bag. The facility where you have your treatment may give you a special bag for trash. Anything you use that's disposable, such as food plates, utensils, non-flushable cleaning wipes, and gloves, should be placed in that bag. The bag should be leak-proof.
Can you get radioactive iodine if you have thyroid cancer?
If you're being treated for hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer, you may be given radioactive iodine or radioiodine. [1] With this treatment, it's possible to contaminate others with radiation, even though the amount of radiation you're given is fairly small.
Can radiation contaminate other people?
With this treatment, it's possible to contaminate others with radiation, even though the amount of radiation you're given is fairly small. For that reason, take precautions to clean up after yourself, particularly in the bathroom and the kitchen, and to isolate items you use from other household items.
What to avoid when drinking iodized salt?
This includes fish, shellfish, seaweed, and even calcium supplements derived from oyster shells. Other things to avoid include: egg yolks. dairy products. red dye #3 (found in maraschino cherries and some fruit cocktails) blackstrap molasses.
What are some foods that contain iodine?
egg yolks. dairy products. red dye #3 (found in maraschino cherries and some fruit cocktails) blackstrap molasses. soy products (including tofu) rhubarb. bakery products (made with iodized salt in the dough, or other ingredients containing iodine, such as potassium iodate)
Why do doctors light up thyroid cancer?
Doctors can then “light up” the cancerous areas during a scan, or treat those same areas using radioactive iodine, because papillary thyroid cancer cells will quickly absorb it.
Can you be allergic to iodine?
No. Most people who are allergic to the iodine in seafood tend to be allergic to a specific type, such as crab or shellfish. It’s actually pretty rare to find someone who has issues with iodized salt by itself. And again, the human body needs iodine to function correctly.
What foods can you eat with non-iodized salt?
FOODS THAT ARE OK. Non-iodized salt or non-iodized sea salt may be used as desired. Egg whites. Homemade bread made with non-iodized salt and oil (not soy!) instead of butter or milk or commercially-baked breads which do not contain iodate dough conditioners, dairy, or eggs. Fresh fruits and vegetables.
What foods contain iodine?
Iodized salt. Any vitamins or supplements that contain iodine (especially kelp and dulse) Milk or other dairy products including ice cream, cheese, yogurt and butter. Seafood including fish, sushi, shellfish, kelp or seaweed. Herbal supplements. Foods that contain the additive carrageen, agar-agar, alginate, or nori.
Where is iodine found?
Therefore, it may be found in varying amounts in all food and beverages.
What to do if your feet are radioactive?
Do's. DO - Wear Slippers (cheap and disposable) or thick socks at all times. Your feet perspire and will leave radioactive “footprints”. DO - Place a plastic drop cloth under your bed sheets and above your mattress pad. Wrap your pillow (under the pillow case) with plastic cooking wrap.
Can bleach cause radioactive iodine?
Dont's. DON'T - USE BLEACH or bleach containing cleaners. Bleach will cause radioactive iodine to become gaseous and may spread far and wide. DON'T - Forget to remove any drop-in toilet tank cleaners that have bleach in them. DON'T - Eat any foods with cores or bones (such as apples, fried chicken, etc.) or chew gum.
Focus on the Positive
Mindset is at least half the battle with isolation. There are plenty of negatives in your life going into isolation. I’ve listed just a few above.
Be a Little Selfish
Other than being careful not to expose others to radiation, you do not need to put others first during this time. What to do I mean?
Indulge
It can be hard to indulge on the low iodine diet, but you can do it. I got a giant bag of gummy bears and ate the whole thing. I binge watched Jane Austen movies.
Set a Fun Goal
Focus on something you want to do but never have time to do. Be creative!
Reach Out
Radioactive iodine treatment isolation is…well…isolating. Even introverts get lonely after awhile. Your friends and family are likely looking for ways they can help but don’t know what to do. Reach out. Connection will help the time go by and help you feel less alone.
Hygiene
You are strongly encouraged to have good hygiene post radioactive iodine. The iodine comes out in your bodily secretions – saliva, sweat, urine. Showering daily and frequent tooth brushing are included in thyca.org’ s list of recommendations.
Get Out
Just because you have to be in isolation, does not mean you have to stay inside 4 walls. Go for a walk. Get some sunshine. Breathe fresh air. Be cautious in staying away from people, obviously. But going outdoors can be a real boost.
