Tag: Rai therapy

Under normal circumstances, food does not contain radioactive iodine, but a specialized low-iodine diet is required before receiving therapeutic radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment. This temporary diet prepares the thyroid to effectively absorb the medical isotope I-131. Understanding which foods are naturally high in iodine is critical for the treatment's success.

A low iodine diet (LID), a temporary and highly restrictive eating plan, is typically prescribed to patients preparing for radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy for certain thyroid conditions. By significantly lowering the body's iodine intake, the diet prepares thyroid cells to be more receptive to the upcoming medical treatment, a process that is distinct from chronic iodine deficiency.

While the body requires iodine to produce thyroid hormones, excessive dietary iodine can cause or worsen hyperthyroidism. This paradox leads many to question: Is hyperthyroidism treated with iodine, or is it the cause of the problem?