People's experiences of low iodine diets
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding people’s experiences of low iodine diets in the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer with radioactive iodine ablation therapy
IRAS ID
250696
Contact name
Georgia Herbert
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Enterprise Development
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 2 days
Research summary
International guidelines on the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancers promote the use of low iodine diets (LID) prior to radioactive iodine remnant ablation (a procedure after thyroid cancer surgery to remove any leftover thyroid tissue), as already having a lot of iodine in the body may make it harder to absorb radioiodine. However, there is mixed evidence for suggesting a low iodine diet, particularly in countries where iodine intake is already low such as the UK. Consequently, within the UK, anecdotal evidence suggests that different treatment centres provide different advice regarding iodine intake, varying from no restriction up to advising a LID for 5 weeks prior to radioactive iodine ablation. There is also evidence that patients in the UK find LID advice confusing and the diet difficult, but there are no published qualitative studies to date.
This study aims to explore the views and experiences of people in relation to consuming a LID during treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer with radioactive iodine ablation therapy. Semi-structured interviews will be used to explore areas such as the sources of dietary advice, and facilitating factors and challenges to adherence to this advice. The research team will interview people from centres where differing advice is offered regarding a LID to explore experiences of being on a LID and also how people feel about not being asked to follow a LID and whether they adapt their diet regardless. This will aid health professionals who are advising LIDs to improve advice given and will also inform development of a randomised controlled trial to test whether advice to follow a LID improves ablation success in a country where average iodine intakes are low (the UK).
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0313
Date of REC Opinion
20 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion