Different symptom - help!

[luthien]

Anyone have endo, and on dairy alternatives?

I've recently started to get hot flashes, especially at night. Been reading up about comparisons between dairy and non dairy for nutritional content; all non dairy alternatives are usually fortified with calcium and B12 (in the UK as standard) but not iodine, therefore your iodine intake can drop below the good levels.

I think my night sweats may be due to low iodine; I had my blood tested a year ago (full blood and hormone counts) but it came back fine. What else can I do? What can I add to my diet to improve my iodine intake?

I'm 34 and had two laps to excise endo (last one July 2018). I have regular cycles, with my endo symptoms around my period. My period is due Friday so I usually start getting an endo flareup about now, which is the same time as my night hot flashes, I'm not sure if that's coincidence

[Thecraftyadder]

I've been on dairy alternatives for 19 years though I do eat sheep and goats cheese (I know I have a problem with the protein not the lactose so its safe to do so). I always take a multi vitamin now as I'm concerned about my calcium and vitamin D levels but that tablet contains iodine to. Maybe that's something to consider? You could use iodinized salt but I don't know if you would get enough from that.

[luthien in reply to Thecraftyadder]

I shall have a think about the vitamins, thanks x

[Thecraftyadder in reply to luthien]

I know it's not ideal when we want to get what we need from diet but I was found to be vitamin D deficient on a blood test and then a dietitian worked out that despite eating some goats cheese and using fortified milk I was falling below the recommended calcium intake. There is a history of osteoporosis in my family so it was straight on the tablets for me!

[luthien in reply to Thecraftyadder]

how did you go about asking for specific vitamin & mineral blood tests? I'd like to know what my levels are but my GP says she won't do tests unless I have symptoms for stuff.

[Thecraftyadder in reply to luthien]

I was seeing a rheumatologist at the time about back issues (which I now know are endo related) he ordered the blood test for vitamin D. I actually work as a medical secretary for a team of dietitians and as they were looking at calcium intake issues they asked if I wanted mine done because they know I don't eat dairy. I'm currently living in Ireland and my GP referred me to a community dietitian because of my bowel issues. Something I'd not been offered in the UK. This was really helpful as it was the time I was removing gluten from my diet. I wonder if you can get referred to a dietitian to as you do or did have endo on your bowel didn't you so it doesn't seem an unreasonable request. Or could you even go an see one privately? They would probably need to see a food diary but if they wanted to get bloods run I'm sure they could or write and request specific ones from your GP.

[luthien in reply to Thecraftyadder]

Ah that's a good point; I shall have a look and see. It may be something I'll need to do privately as the NHS is a bit rubbish for referral times. Definitely worth looking though as you have said.

thanks x