Thyroid cancer is becoming more and more common. What should you eat after surgery?

The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine organ in our body. The thyroid hormones it secretes are essential for human metabolism.

Image source: Photo Network (AIGC)

If too much thyroid hormone is secreted, it may lead to hyperthyroidism, which is manifested by symptoms such as bulging eyes, irritability, eating a lot, and weight loss .

If the secretion of thyroid hormone is too low, it may lead to hypothyroidism, which manifests as symptoms such as puffiness, fatigue, poor memory, and slow metabolism .

In the past few years, the incidence of thyroid cancer has increased significantly worldwide. Factors such as gender (more common in women), long-term exposure to ionizing radiation, genetics, endocrine disorders, and excessive iodine intake may all lead to thyroid cancer.

Surgery is one of the main treatments for thyroid cancer. However, the completion of the surgery is not the end of the treatment. Following a reasonable diet plan after surgery can help patients prevent recurrence of the disease.

So, what should you eat after thyroid cancer surgery? In what situations do you need a low-iodine diet? This article will give you the answers.

First of all, you should know that the requirements for iodine intake after surgery are different depending on the type of surgery and the type of cancer.

Image source: Photo Network

Generally speaking, a low-iodine diet is recommended for patients who meet the following conditions:

● Patients who have undergone unilateral lobectomy: Since only one lobe is retained, the thyroid gland's demand for iodine is reduced. In order to reduce the potential risk of residual hyperthyroidism and recurrence of thyroid cancer, patients are usually recommended to adopt a low-iodine diet after surgery and to have regular follow-up to monitor thyroid function.

● For patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy and are no longer receiving iodine-131 treatment, and for patients who are found to have abnormal lesions during follow-up examinations and whose lesions have significantly absorbed iodine: a low-iodine diet is usually recommended.

● Patients who need iodine-131 treatment after surgery: They need to adopt a low-iodine diet 2-4 weeks before treatment.

● For patients with differentiated cancer after total thyroidectomy: such as patients with papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, and medullary carcinoma, a low-iodine diet is generally recommended.

Here I would like to remind everyone that a low-iodine diet does not mean excessively pursuing an iodine-free diet . Because iodine is widely present, patients only need to reduce their iodine intake as much as possible. For example, try to eat less or no kelp, seaweed, and shrimp.

1

Short-term precautions after surgery

For patients who are awake and have stable vital signs after general anesthesia surgery, drinking water early can reduce throat pain and redness and swelling of the throat mucosa.

Patients 6 hours after surgery, if they do not have symptoms such as choking, nausea and vomiting, can eat warm, liquid food with a temperature of 2~35°C. Later, they can gradually transition to semi-liquid, soft food and ordinary food.

For patients who undergo cervical lymph node dissection, chylous leakage may occur after the operation. Depending on the surgical situation, you can follow the doctor's advice to follow a low-fat or low-protein diet, reduce the intake of eggs, milk, fatty foods, etc., to prevent the occurrence of lymph leakage.

If there are special circumstances, you need to fast according to your doctor's advice.

2

Long-term dietary advice after surgery

eat:

Follow the general principles of diverse food, combination of meat and vegetables, and balanced nutrition.

Eat a variety of foods such as cereals, meat, eggs, milk, vegetables, fruits, etc. to ensure the intake of various vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins and other compounds, and balance the diet.

Getting enough protein is essential, but it's best to eat foods that are low in saturated fat, such as fish, lean meats, skinless poultry, eggs, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, nuts, seeds and legumes.

drink:

Ensure adequate daily water intake and limit the intake of alcohol and alcoholic beverages.

In addition, you should appropriately limit your sugar intake and maintain a healthy weight throughout your life.

3

Dietary recommendations for taking Euthyrox after surgery

When taking Euthyrox, patients should pay attention to taking it with enough time between certain special medicines and foods:

● At least 1 hour between taking hypertension medication and nutritional supplements;

●At least 2 hours apart from foods or medicines containing iron or calcium;

●4 hours between eating milk and bean products;

●12 hours interval with cholestyramine or lipid-lowering resin.

4

How to supplement vitamins?

Vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamin C, manganese, vitamin K, folic acid, vitamin B, magnesium, dietary fiber, carotenoids, anthocyanins and other trace elements.

Image source: Photo Network

Eating more fruits and vegetables in your daily diet can help improve your body's immunity and prevent the recurrence of thyroid cancer.

5

Do I need calcium supplement?

After surgery, patients need to take levothyroxine for a long time or even for life, which may cause osteoporosis as a side effect. You can follow the doctor's advice and supplement calcium and vitamin D in appropriate amounts to prevent the occurrence of side effects.

Image source: Photo Network (AIGC)

You can also eat more calcium-rich foods, such as milk, soy products, etc.

Statement: This article is a medical-related educational popular science article. It does not involve specific treatment methods or medical behaviors and cannot replace hospital visits.

Author

Experts who reviewed this article

References

[1] Zhang X, Zhang F, Li Q, Feng C, Teng W. Iodine nutrition and papillary thyroid cancer. Front Nutr. 2022 Oct 20;9:1022650.

[2] Viola N, Agate L, Caprio S, Lorusso L, Brancatella A, Ricci D, Sgrò D, Ugolini C, Piaggi P, Vitti P, Elisei R, Santini F, Latrofa F. Thyroid autoimmunity, thyroglobulin autoantibodies, and thyroid cancer prognosis. Endocr Relat Cancer. 2023 Jun 2;30(7):e230042.

[3] Hu, Y. et al. Alantolactone induces concurrent apoptosis and GSDME-dependent pyroptosis of anaplastic thyroid cancer through ROS mitochondria-dependent caspase pathway. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology 108, 154528, doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154528 (2023).

[4] Ahmad, R. et al. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) an edible mushroom; a comprehensive and critical review of its nutritional, cosmeceutical, mycochemical, pharmacological, clinical, and toxicological properties. Phytotherapy research : PTR 35, 6030-6062, doi:10.1002/ptr.7215 (2021).

[5] Chok, KC et al. Edible Bird's Nest: Recent Updates and Industry Insights Based On Laboratory Findings. Frontiers in pharmacology 12, 746656, doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.746656 (2021).

[6] Wang X, Wang S, Li C, Ruan Y, Li Y, Liu J, Guo Z. Lymph or Chyle Leak After Neck Dissection in Patients With Thyroid Carcinoma: Results of a Study on 1724 Patients. Am Surg. 2022 Jan;88(1):109-114.

[7] Rock CL, Doyle C, Demark-Wahnefried W, Meyerhardt J, Courneya KS, Schwartz AL, Bandera EV, Hamilton KK, Grant B, McCullough M, Byers T, Gansler T. Nutrition and physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors. CA Cancer J Clin. 2012 Jul-Aug;62(4):243-74. doi: 10.3322/caac.21142. Epub 2012 Apr 26. Erratum in: CA Cancer J Clin. 2013 May;63(3):215.

[8] An Hongchao. How to take Euthyrox correctly after thyroid cancer surgery[J]. Family Medicine, 2014(08):63.

[9] Luo Dan, Lin Ya. Effects of dietary therapy on trace element levels in the blood of cancer patients[J]. Journal of Food Safety and Quality, 2019, 10(3): 756-760.

[10] Haugen BR, Alexander EK, Bible KC, et al. 2015 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: The A-merican Thyroid Association Guidelines Task Force on Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer [J]. Thyroid, 2016, 26(1): 1-133.

Content Production

Edit: 100% sweet

Map: Eastern Zhou Dynasty