A low-iodine diet is prescribed before diagnosticradioactive iodineuptake (RAIU) tests and before radioactive iodine treatments.
The RAIU test is an imaging scan used to check thyroid health.
The low-iodine diet is a special diet that limits the amount ofiodineyou can consume through foods and beverages.
Verywell / Tim Liedtke
It does not naturally occur in the body, so it needs to come from these foods or supplements.
Thethyroid glanduses dietary iodine to produce thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism.
Too little or too much iodine can cause or worsen thyroid disease.
A low-iodine diet is necessary when preparing for a radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) test or treatment.
This diet is required to “starve” the thyroid of iodine and reduce the amount of resident iodine.
Lowering amounts of resident iodine makes the thyroid “iodine hungry.”
RAI uptake into the thyroid cells allows them to be visualized on a diagnostic imaging scan.
It can also destroy tumor cells when this therapy is used for thyroid cancer treatment.
The low-iodine diet may sound simple because you only need to eliminate one mineral from your dietiodine.
But it requires some planning.
Instead, you could use non-iodized and kosher salt because they do not contain iodine.
The Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association provides recommendations regarding which foods are permitted and prohibited when following a low-iodine diet.
This organization is considered a trustworthy and knowledgeable source of information.
There are plenty of foods you’ve got the option to eat.
These values can help guide you when you are estimating the iodine levels of food.
Confusing information can add to the challenge of this already restrictive diet.
Don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for a referral to anutritionistif you want personalized advice and guidance.
you’re able to’t guarantee what throw in of salt a restaurant uses in their recipes.
Try using fresh herbs such as basil or cilantro to liven up your meals.
you’re free to prepare a variety of foods as long as the ingredients fit the criteria above.
The Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association offers alow-iodine cookbookthat can be downloaded for free.
It boasts over 300 low-iodine recipes and is a favorite among those following a low-iodine diet.
Its often used before diagnostic radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) tests and before radioactive iodine treatments.
Not following a low-iodine diet before a radioactive uptake test may change the results of the thyroid scan.
Thyroid Cancer Survivor Association.Low-iodine diet.
University of Wisconsin Health Division of Nuclear Medicine Procedure/Protocol.Low iodine diet.
2014;24(8):1289-96. doi:10.1089/thy.2013.0695
