WASIT MD

What should I get blood test on?

Before the radioactive iodine treatment, you should have high TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). This hormone will promote thyroid cancer cell to absorb the radioactive iodine. Most patients will be advised to stop thyroxin supplements for 3-4 weeks. If you just underwent thyroidectomy, the radioactive iodine treatment should be done at least 3-4 weeks after the surgery.

You should get tested on Tg (thyroiglobulin) and TgAb (thyroidglobulin antibody) to monitor your disease after the treatment.

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Which food should I avoid?

You should be advised to take a low iodine diet for 1-2 weeks before the radioactive iodine treatment. This will help thyroid cancer cell to absorb the radioactive iodine.

Food you can eat includes:

• Vegetables and fruits
• Pork, chicken, beef
• Plain salt without added iodine
• Rice, and bread
• Alcohol and soda
• Tea and coffee without milk

Food you should restrict includes:

• Milk 25 ml per day
• Butter 5 grams per day
• Cheese 25 grams per day
• Dairy products such as yogurt and ice cream 1 scoop
• Egg 1 egg per week
• Egg products such as mayonnaise, custard, noodles

Food you should avoid includes:

• Seafood, fish, seaweed
• Cake and cookies from eggs or butter
• Take away food that you do not know the ingredients
• Iodinated salt
• Vitamins and supplements

You can continue your regular diet after the treatment.

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What is the process of radioactive iodine treatment?

This procedure will be done at the nuclear medicine department. Capule is the most common form. The treatment can be done either inpatient or outpatient basis, depends on the amount of the radiation. If you receive high dose radiation, you may stay at the hospital in a seperate room for 2-3 days to protect the radiation to others.

After you come back home, you may take precautions from others for 1-2 weeks. If you can go home on the day of the treatment, you should avoid public transportation. If possible, you should drive home by yourself. But if you cannot, you should sit at the maximal distance from the driver. Do not bring pregnant women to drive you home.

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