Have been taking iodine. Wrong thing to do?

[strawberryflower]

I'm secondary (central) hypo. Alternating 75mg & 100mg levo thyroxine daily.

I've been taking iodine supplements 150up every other day. Has this been a really bad idea?

[shaws Administrator]

We've had quite a few posts re iodine but the concensus is that if on levothyroxine (which contains iodine) we shouldn't also supplement with iodine.

This is an excerpt from one previous response:

Taken from the Livestrong website:

Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of T4. It is used to treat individuals who have hypothyroidism due to any cause. Levothyroxine can be converted to T3 in your body, so you only have to take one medication to supply both hormones. Since levothyroxine already contains iodine, you do not need to take additional iodine to treat hypothyroidism. Any extra iodine you consume will not be incorporated into new thyroid hormones, because your thyroid’s function is being replaced by levothyroxine. In fact, according to a 1992 study published in “International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research,” any additional iodine you obtain from supplements will be eliminated in your urine, feces and sweat.

healthunlocked.com/search/i...

[strawberryflower in reply to shaws]

Thank you for the info. So its been a wate of money rather than dangerous. I can live with that!

[greygoose]

I Wonder why you decided to take it, given that central hypothyroidism is not a problem with the gland or making the hormones, but is a problem with the pituitary.

It can be dangerous. Excess iodine can cause Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. It can cause hyperthyroidism and it can cause hypothyroidism. Did you get a test first to see if you were deficient?

[strawberryflower]

I had mis read the information on iodine, obviously. I haven't been taking the iodine for very long. So am stopping immediately.

I am feeling quite sluggishi most days, and occasionally have a long nap. I am much better than before starting the thyroxine, but nowhere near physically and mentally alert as I was years ago. There is a definite lack of info on secondary hypothyroidism.

[greygoose in reply to strawberryflower]

Sounds more like you need an increase in your dose of Levo, then. Do you have your latest lab results? If so, post them here - with ranges - and people will be better able to advise you.

[strawberryflower in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your advice. I will do that.