Prostate Cancer brachytherapy may expose the thyroid gland to radiation?

It seems a long way from the prostate to the thyroid gland, but the tiny seeds implanted in the prostate, which contain radioactive iodine, may break open and release I/131 iodine into the blood stream. The thyroid is the main site for uptake of the iodine. Cleveland Clinic doctors describe a case where there was increased uptake of the radioiodine in the patients thyroid gland.The doctors looked for seed migration in 246 cases. 23,184 seeds were implanted. 75 seeds were released into the urine, while 25 migrated to the chest.The case with the thyroid radiation probably had the seeds damaged inside the prostate, releasing I/131 into the blood stream, where it would head to the thyroid for uptake. The use of this type of therapy is on the increase. If the radiation dose to the thyroid is above normal, they can block the radioiodine uptake with iodine solution, or KI. Any radiation to the thyroid is significant, and therefore this may be another source of radiation induced thyroid disease.The thyroid doctor may need to ask about the type of prostate cancer therapy in his history taking from now on. Read the whole article at Journal of Urology Nov 2004.

Seaweeds Part 2

They are increasingly common now in food and food suppliments in the U.S. 15% of Americans enjoy Japanese cooking. They are considered an all natural source of minerals.Seaweeds are used for flavoring in Asian soup stocks, and other dishes where they remove the seaweed before serving. What is the effect on thyroid patients that are sensitive to iodine? Normals will escape from the effects of excess iodine, but patients with autoimmune thyroid disease will have negative effects. It can cause hypothyroidism in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, with growth of the goiter and even nodule formation. It can cause toxic hyperthyroidism in patients with nodular goiter. The problem is difficult because of the variation in iodine content of different seaweeds.People in Japan and Korea are habituated to their high iodine intake, but people with thyroid disease in low iodine consuming countries are at risk for iodine induced thyroid disease.

Seaweeds are usually considered high in iodine content

Seaweeds are usually considered high in iodine content, and can cause problems for thyroid patients. However there are many types of seaweed. Korea, and Japan have over 60 species of seaweed. Food preparation can effect iodine content of seaweed. Nori the flat sheets used for sushi has a small amount of iodine, compared to Miso soup. Kelp flavored stock is used to make miso soup. The soup then has over 1000 mcgs of iodine! The cooking in water releases the iodine into the broth.This level of iodine can cause progression of thyroid disease in susceptable thyroid patients. All seaweeds are not equal in causing problems. Ground kelp has 8000 mcg/gram, Kelp 2500, Dulse 72, and Nori has 16. Young seaweed, and floating seaweed have higher iodine than sundried seaweed.Review the article by Braverman before you decide what type of seaweed you should eat. Thyroid vol.14 number 10 2004, page 836-841.