new to RAI treatments

[andrea57]

I had surgery 4 weeks ago Tuesday, where they discovered I had papillary CA. So, I am going through all the treatments. I found out Thursday that I would have to be on a low- iodine diet, but my doctor didn't explain any more than that. He forgot to give my a paper, so I googled it. I am wondering about all the restrictions. I have been good since Friday about not eating anything with iodine in it.

Ok, so here is my concern!  Thanksgiving! I would have waited until after the holidays to even start the RAI treatment( which I started Friday), but my levels are already above 100 and I feel horrible. So does anyone have any suggestions? I did find a cookbook on the thyca.org, but it's not Southern Thanksgiving food.

[Venora Moonwind]

If you can get to an organic food store they will have whole meats that arent injected with salt. Also remember that it is a low idodine  diet not a no salt diet. you can buy Mortons salt without iodine at wal mart and make up your own seasoned salt. I ate lots of fresh fruit and veggeis,unsalted nuts to have something crunchy rice cakes and stuff like that.Get lots of herbs and spices to cook with too. the thyca website has many wonderful recipes you can cook up and freeze. good luck Its only for a couple of weeks. you can do it.
Love Venora

[pep88]

Brown sugar is used in the cookbook @ thyca.org a couple of different times, but it's made with molasses, containing iodine.  I never did get a difinitive answer from anyone on the forum, but from what I read on the C & H website, it is made with molasses.  To be safe, I just didn't use it.
Good luck to everyone.  I'm going in today for my RAI.

[andrea57]

My doc forgot to give me a low iodine diet, so I looked it up on the website and found thyca.org website. I am going by there today to get a copy of theirs. I have my first scan today to see how much RAI they will have to give me.

Why watch for the brown sugar?  
Thank you all for being so supportive. I am so glad I found with forum and all the support and help of survivors.

Andrea

[GravesLady]

Meat, poultry and dairy farmers was their equipment in iodine.  I don't think they rinse but rather just let it evaporate and then the left iodine residue goes in our foods and dairy/milk.

[pep88]

I'm sure you read on the thyca.org that you shouldn't have turkey because most of it is processed with salt added.  However, I cut and paste this passage from that cookbook:

Up to 5 ounces per day of fresh meats such as chicken, beef, pork, lamb, and
veal are fine on the low-iodine diet. (Up to 6 ounces, according to one of the
research presentations.) Whole cuts tend to contain less iodine than do ground
meats. Also, check the label on whole turkeys, turkey breasts, turkey cutlets,
chicken, and all pork products. Many food makers inject broths into the turkey or
chicken or pork. The label may not indicate whether the broth contains iodized
salt. If you are not sure, go to your local butcher for fresh turkey, pork, or chicken.  

I would highlight the portion about checking the label or just getting it fresh from your butcher, if I could, but this venue will not let me.  I am currently and have been on the LID for about a week.  Being treated tomorrow.  Just make sure to use Kosher salt (because it's not iodized) and I really haven't had any problems.  Make everything from scratch - including breads, and use nothing on the limited or avoid food lists in the thyca.org cookbook!  Get creative (I have, and even though I've been tired, I've had fun...), and enjoy!  PS, beware of brown sugar!  Good luck!

[busymom111]

I found the diet to not be so bad. It's been a while but I know I had a few ounces of organic grain fed chicken and it was allowed. Can't you have the same w/ turkey? Once Thanksgiving is over you'll be glad you didn't have the extra calories. :)

[redhed87]

The low iodine diet is important.  My dr. just told me to stay away from table salt which I knew was not the only thing I needed to watch.  Did you have RAI yet?  You should be on the diet for at least 2 weeks and the first few days you are in the hospital.  I ate regular food in the hospital and now I am worried that I might have to have RAI again.  My surgery was in May and my RAI was in June.  Humm- Thanksgiving.  With your tsh over 100, you may not even want to have Thanksgiving.  YOu can have salt, just not iodized salt.  You could have low salt turkey.  The cook book is great on thyca.org.  Good luck and feel good.

[GravesLady]

Did they say no turkey, meat or dairy.

Sorry if your Thanksgiving is ruined, but you'll just have to do the best you can and make up for it next Thanksgiving. Or make it up Christmas and really pig out, you will have deserved it.

Good luck with the RAI - its really no big deal ;)