Last Friday, my mother received radioactive iodine therapy. Can she eat a typical amount of salt? At home, we use Tata Salt. Can she also use Himalaya toothpaste and shampoo?

Doctors typically recommend a low-iodine diet for a brief period of time following radioactive iodine therapy. Because it includes iodine, regular iodized salt, such as Tata Salt, may need to be temporarily restricted. Products containing iodine or kelp should be avoided if your doctor has prescribed a strict low-iodine diet. However, many common toothpastes and shampoos, including some herbal products like Himalaya, are generally safe because they are not consumed in substantial amounts. Since dietary restrictions are frequently temporary, it is advisable to adhere to the precise dietary guidelines provided by the nuclear medicine specialist.

I had two surgeries for pepliary carcinoma of the thyroid. I last had surgery in May of 2015. Nuclear medicine and iodine therapy have been used to treat me. However, TG is still on the upper side (200+), so what may be the cause?

Thyroglobulin (TG) is utilised as a tumour marker following therapy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma; a TG level above 200 may occasionally indicate residual thyroid tissue, recurrent disease, or the dissemination of thyroid cancer cells elsewhere in the body. Only after examining your scans, iodine uptake data, antibodies, and follow-up studies will the precise cause become clear. Because additional imaging, repeat iodine scans, PET scans, or extra medication may occasionally be required, ongoing follow-up with your endocrinologist or nuclear medicine specialist is crucial. Please don't panic, but do continue to receive specialised treatment and routine monitoring.