Hypothyroidism and iodine

[JAYR]

Hi All

Just a quick question. Is it true that anyone with an underactive thyroid should not be taking any additional iodine (i.e tablets containing iodine even in the form of kelp) as not only can this further damage the thyroid but also cause more hair loss. Thank you. JAYR.

[helvella Administrator]

My view is that anyone with an under-active thyroid should be very careful about deciding to take any additional iodine. They should do a good deal of reading up. They should find out if theirs is an autoimmune form (i.e. Hashimoto's). Ideally, they would have a urinary iodine test to see of they really are low in iodine, though these are not done very often in the UK.

Modest amounts of iodine in their normal diet, including things like iodised salt (common in many savoury foods produced in Germany, for example), would not worry me. More than that should be avoided unless you are convinced that it is appropriate.

Iodine has been discussed many times here and you might care to cast your eye over some earlier threads. Type "iodine" into the search box at top right and take your pick.

Rod

[JAYR in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod. What does autoimmune mean and how would I know if I have hashimotos? My dose was increased to 75mcg last Friday. thanks.

[helvella Administrator in reply to JAYR]

Hi,

Just got this response - though I can see you did try to reply before.

Autoimmune diseases are those where our immune system, which should be fighting off disease causing bacteria, viruses, etc., actually turns round and attacks our own tissue.

You would know if you have Hashimoto's if you have had a positive test for either Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies or Thyroglobulin antibodies. Can also be diagnosed by ultrasound scan. Doctors do not always do these tests, and even when done, do not always tell their patients.

Note: These antibodies are there because other specialised cells,lymphocytes, are attacking the thyroid. The antibodies simply help with clearly up the cell contents that are spilled into the bloodstream.

Something like 80% of people in the UK and USA who are hypothyroid do actually have an autoimmune form - that is, Hashimoto's.

Rod

[JAYR in reply to helvella]

Hi Rod. I saw my GP last Friday and she increased my levoythyroxine dose from 50mcg to 75mcg. She has never mentioned anything to me about hashimototos however has said that I am not completely hypo (whatever that means). Apologies, I find this all very confusing and techi. I have complained a lot about my hair loss and the fact that it has got severely worse, have been referred to specialist only to be told that being hypo would only cause mild hair loss. My hair loss is now so bad that my scalp is visible. I have seen so many different specialist only to be told it could either be genetic, stress, hormonal or as a result of my should fracture. I have not requested a copy of my recent bloods however looking at the one taken back in December it states thyroid peroxidase antibody level = 208 IU/mL High Original Result: 208 iu/ml (0-34). What does that mean? Thank you

[helvella Administrator in reply to JAYR]

That means you most likely have autoimmune thyroid disease - sometimes also known as Hashimoto's. (If your result have been below 34, that would have suggested you didn't have an autoimmune issue.)

You could read up quite a lot on the main Thyroid UK site. E.g. here:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Rod

[JAYR in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod

[Hidden in reply to JAYR]

Hi JAYR,with the high antibodies that you had with a top range of 34, yours being 208, would point to your having autoimmune form which is hashimoto's

[JAYR in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your response cupi.

[JAYR]

Thanks Rob. What does autoimmune mean and how would I know if I have hashimotos? My dose was yesterday increased to 75mcg. thanks

[LouiseRoberts in reply to JAYR]

Hi JAYR

In order to respond to a particular person, you need to click 'reply to this' otherwise they won't get an email letting them know you have responded!

You need to be tested for thyroid antibodies to see if you have an autoimmune thyroid problem. This is not an additional problem, it is simply the most common reason for people having a thyroid problem. Info here:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

L

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[JAYR in reply to LouiseRoberts]

Hi Louise. Am confused. Does that mean my message to Rod has not been received? I have now sent twice and had clicked on 'reply to this'. Thanks

[puncturedbicycle in reply to JAYR]

If you click 'reply to this' the person you're replying to will be notified that you've replied, so if he gets notifications Rod should now know your reply is waiting.

[JAYR in reply to puncturedbicycle]

I've clicked on it again. Hope it's worked. thank you

[LouiseRoberts in reply to JAYR]

Hmmm, not sure why 'reply to this' didn't work the first time..

I can see he has responded now!

L

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