Iodine, it's role, and why it's important. - Page 5

[Panserbjorne]

I throw it in the vitamix with their smoothies. They have no idea. IT does have a taste, but it isn't detectable in the smoothie.

[harmonymama]

subscribing. This is fascinating. My DH has just been diagnosed with HYPERthyroidism (which is relatively rare in young men). We are wondering if it could have anything to do with a radioactive drink he took during a recent MRI due to horrible headaches he was waking up with. I was also wondering if it connects to the iodine-free sea salt we eat. Anyone have any advice for my DH?

I got inspired on the sea veggies, as a moderate alternative for us prego/nursing mamas. I just ordered a bunch of things: dulse, kelp, nori, salt, and some snack bars. Check out this simple healthy alternative for regular salt:
http://seaveg.com/shop/index.php?mai...products_id=64

BTW, this site seaveg.com says they test everything for pollutants. The earlier site didn't mention anything about it.

[WildIris]

Originally Posted by harmonymama

subscribing. This is fascinating. My DH has just been diagnosed with HYPERthyroidism (which is relatively rare in young men). We are wondering if it could have anything to do with a radioactive drink he took during a recent MRI due to horrible headaches he was waking up with. I was also wondering if it connects to the iodine-free sea salt we eat. Anyone have any advice for my DH?

The radioactive iodine drink could definitely be connected to his development of hyperthyroidism. Excess iodine can cause overactive thyroid levels as well as triggering autoimmune disease. Is he just hyperthyroid or does he have Graves disease (has he had antibodies testing)?

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade here...I do agree that iodine is very important to our health. But keep in mind that it is a double-edged sword. Not enough is a problem, and too much is a problem. It can be hard to know which is which because it will vary from person to person. Anyone with a family history of autoimmune disease or thyroid disorder should be careful about iodine, as they may be more sensitive to its effects.

My own experience is that for two years I was taking a high-quality liquid multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplement which contained kelp and four other kinds of sea vegetables...all supposed to be very good for me, right? Well, unknown to me at that time, I have the antibodies for Graves disease and taking all that excess iodine stimulated the antidbodies and triggered the disease. It also caused my thyroid to enlarge on one side and develop a 2x3cm nodule (biopsied and shown to be benign, thankfully).

Luckily my doctor caught it fairly early, and so far, by following an IODINE-FREE diet and taking certain supplements, I am seeing the nodule shrink instead of grow (according to my 6-mo. followup ultrasound). I will have to have regular ultrasounds to track it from now on and make sure it doesn't grow.

There are many documented cases of people developing goiters from ingesting excess iodine. So please, folks, be careful if you are supplementing without doctor supervision. Especially if you have any family history of autoimmune disease. If you are taking iodine and ever feel like your throat is getting thick or tight, have your doctor check it out thoroughly.

Iris

[Panserbjorne]

Thank you for saying that. IF I had not made it clear before I am on a protocol that was designed by my physician and am routinely tested to check my levels. Too much of anything is dangerous and this is no exception.

While the vast majority of people are likely deficient it is not a good idea to supplement with doses as high as mine without the benefit of being able to measure your progress and adjust accordingly.

[harmonymama]

Thanks, Wild Iris. We will be very careful. Probably keep DH away from seaweed until we consult a practitioner. We don't yet know the cause of his hyperthyroidism. It could be Grave's or a nodule, or tumor, or some other cause. His TSH levels are VERY high, but he does not appear to have an enlarged thyroid by touch. He does have a rapid, strong heartrate, frequent elimination, feels hot, is irritable, etc. We have also eliminated salicylates in our diet at home, could that be related? He just started snacking on Dulse right before all these hyperthyroidism issues came up. Could that have also triggered it? and he has been somewhat stressed as we are going through a major life transition-- an international move. I am really wondering what the underlying cause is. He is going to see an endocrinologist and get a bunch more tests. But I think one of the tests, they want to give him some more radioactive iodine to see if his thyroid is resisting absorbing it. I am very concerned as I am seeing some very worrisome things about testing and treatment the allopathic route. I've been looking at Prescription for Nutritional Healing about how to treat it through diet, cut out dairy, etc., but... I'm worried.

WildIris, did your doc recommend medication, surgery or anything? How did you both settle on diet alone? What kind of doc are you seeing? Please PM me if you thing you have any information that might be helpful about Grave's or testing or treatment for hyperthyroidism. I'm feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of a bunch of research about yet another thing.

Firefaery, do you think this might be responsive to homeopathy?

[pampered_mom]

WildIris - I would agree that there is certainly a concern for those with auto-immune type disorders, but even that is somewhat debated (anyone interested in reading more on this debate really should go back through this thread - there are several good sources to read). Those with family histories of these types of disorders really should get on the Yahoo Iodine list and do some reading there. Actually...anyone considering supplementing should subscribe to that list as well. LOTS of information.

I'm not disputing your personal experience just wanted to reiterate again that there is an alternate point of view. I make no claims to endorsing which route one should take, my only purpose is to put information out there that I have found of great interest myself.

[Panserbjorne]

It would. My homeopath is also an MD and has been using homeopathy in conjunction with iodine supplementation to correct hypothyroidism. He also has patients that have hyperthyroidism that he treats with homoepathy.

Homeopathy cannot change a lack of dietary nutrients, but it can change how the body utilizes nutrients. It will also allow the body to regulate and restore hormone function.

Since homeopathy is about restoring balance there isn't anything that it isn't indicated for.

[WildIris]

Originally Posted by harmonymama

Thanks, Wild Iris. We will be very careful. Probably keep DH away from seaweed until we consult a practitioner. We don't yet know the cause of his hyperthyroidism. It could be Grave's or a nodule, or tumor, or some other cause. His TSH levels are VERY high, but he does not appear to have an enlarged thyroid by touch. He does have a rapid, strong heartrate, frequent elimination, feels hot, is irritable, etc.

Harmonymama,

YES, for now, your DH should avoid seaweed, dulse, seafood, vitamins with iodine in them, etc., ANY and all sources of extra iodine until you know more about what is going on. For one thing, if he does the radioactive iodine uptake scan you mentioned, he will need avoid excess iodine for several weeks before--I was told 6 weeks--because it can skew the test results.

His symptoms are definitely hyperT symptoms--and I do sympathize with him (and you). But I'm confused when you say his TSH levels are very high. Usually with hyperT, the TSH level will be very low, sometimes undetectable, and the T3/T4 (or FreeT3/Freet4) levels are very high. Do you know what tests he's had so far? Do you have copies of all his lab tests ? Feel free to PM me with them if you want--include results and reference ranges.

Did his doctor give him anything for the fast heartrate? Like beta blockers? I haven't had to go that route, but I found magnesium helpful when my heart would start racing. Also, eating lots of goitrogenic foods like raw broccoli, radishes, etc. can help calm things down. Do a search for goitrogens to find a list. The herbal treatments lemon balm and bugleweed are said to be helpful and calming; I use lemon balm tea sometimes.

Has he had any strange skin problems, like itchy rashes, hives, chemical sensitivities, allergies? Any rashes on his legs in particular?

Any eye problems at all? Visual changes, puffy eyelids, dry/irritable eyes. sensitive to light, etc.?

We have also eliminated salicylates in our diet at home, could that be related? He just started snacking on Dulse right before all these hyperthyroidism issues came up. Could that have also triggered it? and he has been somewhat stressed as we are going through a major life transition-- an international move. I am really wondering what the underlying cause is.

On your salicylates question, I don't know. I've never read anything about this connected to thyroid function.

About the Dulse, yes, it definitely could have triggered it. Heavy stress is also a known trigger for autoimmune disease. You will probably never know the underlying cause, but these are both considered environmental triggers. Here are two articles you might find helpful:

Graves' Disease A Practical Guide: An Interview With Author Elaine Moore
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/gravesbook.htm

Unraveling the Causes of Graves' Disease
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/..._disease/62892

I realize that you don't know right now if he does have Graves disease or if he's hyperT from some other cause, but I think you find the articles helpful anyway. And if he does turn out to have Graves disease, Elaine Moore's information on Suite101 dot com will be an invaluable resource for you.

He is going to see an endocrinologist and get a bunch more tests. But I think one of the tests, they want to give him some more radioactive iodine to see if his thyroid is resisting absorbing it. I am very concerned as I am seeing some very worrisome things about testing and treatment the allopathic route. I've been looking at Prescription for Nutritional Healing about how to treat it through diet, cut out dairy, etc., but... I'm worried.

They probably want him to have a radioactive iodine uptake scan. You should be concerned and careful about this. I had one done, because I didn't know any better. Some people are not bothered by them, but I was physically sick (felt like I had the flu; fever, sore throat, etc.) for about two weeks afterward. I also had all kinds of wierd skin rash/hives/sensitivities, etc., for over a month afterwards. At that time I did not know that I had the antibodies for Graves disease, and that iodine stimulates those antibodies and they go on the attack.

While his doctor/endo might (probably will) push for this test and tell you it is "harmless," please do your own research on its pros and cons. It might not be necessary in his situation. You might want to push for an ultrasound and antibodies testing first, and then decide if the uptake scan is necessary. Generally they use the radioactive iodine uptake scan to see how the thyroid absorbs iodine, and whether any "hot" or "cold" nodules are present. ("Hot" nodules secrete thyroid hormone; "cold" nodules do not.)

Bear in mind, and this is very important, that they also use the uptake scan to find out what dose of RAI would be needed to ablate (kill off) the thyroid gland... many endos/docs will push patients into RAI to "solve" the problem, because it is quick and easy for them (and profitable!), and it is easier for them to deal with a permanently "hypo" patient than a hyper patient. People are often rushed into this treatment when they could have tried something else, like anti-thyroid meds and/or holistic treatments. Also, in the case of autoimmune thyroid disease, it is not the thyroid itself that is causing the problem--the thyroid gland is a "victim" of an immune system gone wrong and turning on itself. If you ablate the thyroid gland or remove it surgically, that can ease the symptoms, and sometimes this is necessary, but even if you remove the gland, the antibodies that caused the problem are still present and active. What you really want to do manage symptoms and also calm down those antibodies and keep them quiet so they stop causing symptoms.

WildIris, did your doc recommend medication, surgery or anything? How did you both settle on diet alone? What kind of doc are you seeing? Please PM me if you thing you have any information that might be helpful about Grave's or testing or treatment for hyperthyroidism. I'm feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of a bunch of research about yet another thing.

I will answer the rest of your questions about my situation by PM, since this post is already terribly long.

But a good resource for you, and anyone with thyroid disase questions, is a forum called the Thyroid Disease Chat Center. Most people there tend to lean more toward the allopathic than the naturopathic approach, but it is a good solid source of information and very caring people. Here's a link: http://thyroidhost.proboards30.com/i...activefunction

If anyone does come to that thyroid board, PLEASE be sure to come to the Nutrition folder and back me up on some TF stuff, okay?! Recently I posted there about Traditional Foods, trying to get a discussion started, and it was like in the movies when someone says something and is met by total silence except for the crickets chirping in the fields.... and suffice it to say, my TF views on fats and oils have met with some frosty responses as well. : But I keep trying....

Good luck, Harmonymama, and feel free to ask me anything. I know this is scary and I will help you in any way I can. I will PM you also.

Hugs,
Iris

[WildIris]

Originally Posted by pampered_mom

WildIris - I would agree that there is certainly a concern for those with auto-immune type disorders, but even that is somewhat debated (anyone interested in reading more on this debate really should go back through this thread - there are several good sources to read). Those with family histories of these types of disorders really should get on the Yahoo Iodine list and do some reading there. Actually...anyone considering supplementing should subscribe to that list as well. LOTS of information.

I'm not disputing your personal experience just wanted to reiterate again that there is an alternate point of view. I make no claims to endorsing which route one should take, my only purpose is to put information out there that I have found of great interest myself.

Hi PamperedMom,

Actually I am subscribed to the Yahoo Iodine group and have read much of the new iodine research. Like you, I find it of great interest and agree that iodine intake is very important to health.

I am still waiting, however, to be convinced that iodine supplementation is something a person with Graves disease should ever try. I have seen very little information in the new research of how iodine supplementation affects the TSH Receptor antibodies, especially the stimulating antibodies (Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulins). These are the antibodies most relevant to Graves disease.

When the people on the iodine groups and even the key iodine researchers talk about "thyroid antibodies," it seems they are generally talking about TPO and Tg antibodies, which are involved in inflammation and can be present in both Hashimoto's and Graves disease. It seems very few people even know about the role of the TSH Receptor Antibodies. I certainly knew nothing about them 12 months ago. And most people promoting iodine supplementation don't know anything about them--yet some of them throw out a lot of talk about how "iodine helps antibodies" without really specifying *which* antibodies they mean.

What worries me is that many people are starting iodine supplementation without being tested for ALL the antibodies... even Brownstein, I believe, will only test for the TSI antibodies if a person has hyperthyroid symptoms. But this is erroneous, in my view, because just as people with Hashi's can go through hyper phases, people with Graves can go through hypo phases. So it is important for anyone with signs and symptoms of thyroid disease to be tested for all of the antibodies. There can be a lot of crossover symptoms between hypo and hyper, Hashi's and Graves.

Combine all of this with the fact that when I ingest iodine-containing foods, my eye symptoms flare up and my thyroid swells up and my throat starts to feel tight, like I can't breathe right or swallow, and, well, you can imagine why I might want to see more convincing and specific research about iodine use in Graves disease before I would even consider supplementing.

I am just saying people should be careful and be aware that iodine supplementation is not going to be right for everyone.

Iris

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by WildIris

Combine all of this with the fact that when I ingest iodine-containing foods, my eye symptoms flare up and my thyroid swells up and my throat starts to feel tight, like I can't breathe right or swallow, and, well, you can imagine why I might want to see more convincing and specific research about iodine use in Graves disease before I would even consider supplementing.

Proof positive that the most important thing to consider when doing *anything* is to trust your gut and listen to your body. I can sympathize with your experience as my mom has been told she has Hashi's, but doesn't need to take any meds and for the most part her allopathic doc doesn't see any need to "do" anything. She's still trying to verify that they did the necessary testing instead of just dx'ing by a process of elimination. She's held off on any supp until she knows for sure.

As for the rest of us...we're smack dab in the middle of the goiter belt so it really is a much bigger concern. While I agree with the iodine folks that the majority of people are likely deficient, I think it's especially likely for us.

Like I said at the beginning - it's not for everyone, not everyone would agree and as always one should feel free to "take it with a grain of salt".

[WildIris]

Originally Posted by pampered_mom

Proof positive that the most important thing to consider when doing *anything* is to trust your gut and listen to your body. I can sympathize with your experience as my mom has been told she has Hashi's, but doesn't need to take any meds and for the most part her allopathic doc doesn't see any need to "do" anything. She's still trying to verify that they did the necessary testing instead of just dx'ing by a process of elimination. She's held off on any supp until she knows for sure.

I totally agree about trusting your gut, listening to your body. It's so very important.

I'm sorry to hear about what your mom is going through! It is really frustrating to know something is going wrong with one's body and not know what to do about it. There is so much disagreement among doctors about how to treat thyroid problems. Even how to diagnose. I've seen four different doctors this year alone, and noone seems to know what they're doing. It's frustrating.

I'm curious what kind of testing your mom has had so far? Feel free to PM me if you want to chat about it. Thyroid stuff has become my research passion... along with healing through nutrition. :-)

Iris

[harmonymama]

WildIris- thank you so much. This is such a helpful boost in trying to figure out where to begin. I probably said the wrong T thing about my DH. I'm so new to all of this. I'm going to have my DH come read all of this. And hopefully he can go into his appointment with the endo with a list of the tests he wants (and doesn't). DH did get physically ill with the last radioactive drink they gave him, and in my opinion his symptoms have really worsened since then. So I really don't want him to do it again. Thanks again. I'll be PMing you with more.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by WildIris

I'm curious what kind of testing your mom has had so far?

I'm not entirely sure what tests she's had done b/c she's not entirely sure either. She had nodules on her thyroid and had a biopsy, but they weren't cancerous. She was told that she had hashi's and saw a specialist type person for it for awhile, but then was told that everything was fine so there was no need to continue.

She asked her pcp about it recently and wanted to know what tests were done. He didn't seem concerned nor thought she really needed to know b/c "they" said she has Hashi's so that's what she has. I've encouraged her to get her medical records so she can read for herself. We'll have to wait and see what they say at that point to know for sure.

: Doctors...

[caedmyn]

Anyone know if too much supplemental iodine could cause thirst? I've been supplementing with 12.5 mg of Lugol's for about 6 weeks and for the past few days I've been really thirsty. I eat pretty much the same foods and drink the same amount every day, so nothing's changed there.

[Periwinkle]

So.... I had an IV iodine contrast done for my CT scan this morning? How bad (or good?!) is this for me? :

[harmonymama]

Caedmyn,
I believe extreme thirst is a sign of hyperthyroidism, so I'd recommend getting your levels tested.

[pampered_mom]

I've seen the recent posts and have meant to do some research for you, but I will have to postpone that for awhile. I promise to get back to this after babe is born!

[Leilalu]

HI everyone! Hoepfully someone will still be reading this

I have reread everything and frankly, am feeling overwhelmed:
My OB called me before leavign work the other night and said my thyroid blood level was a bit high. Like a 4 when it should be a 2? Whatever that means.??

I had dh go out and immediately get me an Iodine supplement at WF. He looked and looked and came home with a WF brand kelp tablet supplement. I took 2, and in the morning I actually felt better. I had been feeling bad ever since Christmas, on and off. So I think my thyroid and body were definitely taxed. This is not a soy pregnancy,like my others. But I had started feeling bad. Next morning when I woke up, I could think clearly, my left ankle wasn't swollen, and I didn't feel weepy at 10am. SO I am thinking something is working!

What kind of iodine supp. should I be taking this late in the pregnancy game to maximize the benefit? My OB wants to put me on a low does of something to help my thyroid, and I know it is a critical thing for fetal development so I don't want to play games. I want what my body needs.

[harmonymama]

Still reading, but I don't know what to suggest. Hopefully someone else here does.

[artemis33]

Wow - glad you bumped this - I missed it before.

WildIris - I also have a thyroid nodule - a large-ish one that has been there for about 15 years now. It recently started swelling a bit (I have that tight, something it stuck in there feeling - hate it!) and I've been trying to find info about how to shrink it with diet/herbs/etc. I have had 2 or 3 biopsies in that time that were thankfully negative but I get nervous when I feel any swelling going on. I'll check out the board you mentioned but was wondering if any natural treatments have worked for you. In the past it hasn't been quite big enough to bother me, so my ND and I (as well as the specialist I had seen) decided to'watch it but leave it be'. But now it is really annoying me My hormone levels are in the normal range.

Thanks!