Re: LID - the diet (Was: Salt from a water softener)

[Guest guest]

Hi Ethel, Jeni and All who may need this,

LID= Low Iodine Diet.

posts this regularly. I notice we have many newbies and is prolly

asleep.

Dr. Ain's reasoning for a 2 week LID are below.

NOTE: For people with Hypoparathyroidism, Dr. Ain's comments are at the very

end.

Best wishes,

in OH

Thyca & HPTH onset 1965

--- katiekabob wrote:

The following is from Dr. Ain, and appears on the ThyCa web site ...

------------------------------------------------------------

A low iodine diet is absolutely essential to optimize the effectiveness of

radioiodine scans and treatments. I have had a number of patients with

metastases recalcitrant to I-131 therapy at other institutions, easily respond

to similar I-131 doses with the only difference being adherence to such a diet.

Because it is very difficult to memorize a long list of specific foods, I have

reprinted our diet which has only 11 main items to avoid and is otherwise easy

to follow.

" I advise patients to begin the low iodine diet 2 weeks before their

scan/therapy and maintain it during their scanning as well as for at least 24

hours after administration of a radioiodine therapy dose. It is absolutely true

that the diet can be started as late as one week before the scan (instead of two

weeks); however my clinical experience is that most patients (even experienced

ones) need a " practice week " on the diet because the first week of the 2 week

period is the time that most patients make errors in following the diet. " -

Dr. Ain

THE LOW IODINE DIET

Low-Iodine Diet Directions (Used For Preparation For Radioiodine Scan Or

Therapy)

Avoid the following foods, starting when instructed prior to your radioactive

iodine test, and continue until after your radioactive iodine treatment is

completed.

1. IODIZED SALT & SEA SALT (Non-iodized salt may be used).

IODIZED SALT and SALTY FOODS: Avoid iodized salt and sea salt. Non-iodized salt

may be used. Salty foods like potato chips, popcorn, salted nuts, pretzels may

have iodized salt. Avoid if in doubt.

2. DAIRY PRODUCTS (milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, ice cream)

[Animals excrete dietary iodine into their milk; there is no dairy that doesn't

contain high levels of iodine]

Milk is an intrinsic site for the biological concentration of iodine. In

addition, commercial milking machines are often cleansed with iodine solutions,

as are containers & cows' teats.

3. EGG YOLKS (egg whites are acceptable)

4. SEAFOOD (fish, shellfish, seaweed, kelp)

5. ADDITIVES DERIVED FROM THE SEA: carragen, (Carrageenan) agar-agar,

algin, alginates

6. Cured, corned & spiced foods (ham, lox, corned beef, sauerkraut) Fresh

meat is acceptable.

7. COMMERCIAL BAKERY PRODUCTS, BREAD and ROLLS:

many commercial bread products that contain iodate dough conditioners. Usually

small bakery breads are safe; it's best to bake it yourself or substitute with

Matzos. Homemade or local bakery products are acceptable. Commercial bakery

products often contain iodine preservatives.

8. Foods and medications that contain red food dyes.

The specific bad red dye is Red Dye #3 (erythrosine).

The problem is that most ingredient lists do not tell you which red dye is used.

(consult your doctor before discontinuing any red-colored medicines).

BRIGHT RED FOOD, PILLS, and CAPSULES:

Many red, red-orange, and brown food dyes contain iodine and should be avoided.

VITAMINS and FOOD SUPPLEMENTS:

Most commercial vitamin preparations have IODINE ADDED as an essential nutrient.

The only preparation which I have found to be fine for the diet is Vicon

Forte=AE. *

Check the label and ingredients and discontinue completely, if iodine is

included.

9. CHOCOLATE (for its milk content) *

10. MOLASSES

11. SOY PRODUCTS (soy sauce, soy milk, tofu)

CANNED FRUIT and VEGETABLES: Canned products may contain iodine preservatives

and should be avoided.

INSTANT COFFEE: Instant coffee often contains iodine preservative and should be

avoided. Fresh made percolator or drip coffee is acceptable.

POWDERED TEA and LEMONADE: These foods often contain food coloring and

preservatives made with iodine and should be avoided. Lemonade from fresh lemons

is acceptable.

Additional Guidelines:

1. Avoid restaurant foods since there is no reasonable way to determine

which restaurants use iodized salt.

2. Non-iodized salt may be used as desired. Remember that sea salt

naturally contains iodine, if even it is labeled as " non-iodized "

Important Note:

Food prepared from any fresh meats, fresh poultry, fresh or frozen

vegetables, and fresh fruits should be fine for this diet, provided that you do

not add any of the

ingredients listed above to avoid.

General Information About the Low-Iodine Diet

- LOW IODINE has NOTHING TO DO WITH SODIUM. Sodium in any form is OK, as long as

it is not provided as IODIZED salt.

NON-IODIZED salt is OK for the diet.

- The problem with food colors is specific to Red dye FD & C #3 (erythrosine)

ONLY.

FD & C Red #40 is OK. The problem is that most food labels do not specify which

red dyes are used & better safe than sorry. For medications, the best source is

the

Physician's Desk Reference (PDR), which clearly states the ingredients. For

example, Rocaltrol in the 0.5 microgram size is NOT good for the diet because it

contains FD & C Red #3; however the 0.25 microgram size does not contain that dye

& is safe for the diet (you can combine two of them to get to the 0.5 microgram

dose).

Please always check with your physician.

**************PLEASE BE ADVISED**********************

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS COMMUNICATION IS INTENDED FOR EDUCATIONAL

PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSTRUED, AS SPECIFIC

MEDICAL ADVICE OR DIRECTIONS. ANY PERSON VIEWING THIS INFORMATION IS ADVISED TO

CONSULT THEIR OWN PHYSICIAN(S) ABOUT ANY MATTER REGARDING THEIR MEDICAL CARE.

*************************************************

B. Ain, M.D.

Professor of Internal Medicine

Director, Thyroid Nodule & Oncology Clinical Service

Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine

Department of Internal Medicine, Room MN520

University of Kentucky Medical Center

800 Rose Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0084