iodine levels out of range

When having another look at my latest labs (from last week), I realised that my iodine levels are way out of range. They were

210 ug/L (no reference ranges but they were 92 in July last year)

357 ug/24h (ref 170-280; 193 in July 2015)

So, what could have cause my iodine levels to skyrocket in a little over six months...? My doctor did not comment on them, and I only realised now that they were out of range...

For the last few months, I have used sea salt only when cooking, I don't know if that could be the reason...? Or is there some condition that could cause this...I am a bit worried, as the doctor said that my elevated uric acid levels will eventually affect my kidney function...

[Justiina]

What type of test it was?

[Hidden in reply to Justiina]

Urine 24 h.

[Justiina in reply to Hidden]

Was it that iodine load test where you get iodine pill? Or normal urine test?

[Hidden in reply to Justiina]

Normal urine test, you collect all urine during 24 in a container and bring to the lab.

[Justiina in reply to Hidden]

I have had that test twice and as far as I am concerned it does not measure iodine level itself, but the consumption of iodine during past week.

Before first test I was advised not to use any supplements containing iodine.

If you are on levo or NDT those might actually contain iodine, that with something you have eaten could cause high levels.

For properly measure iodine levels it requires over 10 days urine test and blood test not available in all countries.

24hr is not enough to determine real iodine status. More so iodine with other values ie tt4, t3 , tsh and thyroglobulin has more value.

[Hidden in reply to Justiina]

Thank you, Justiina! That actually makes a lot of sense, as I had been eating sea salt daily the weeks before going to the lab...

[Justiina in reply to Hidden]

It should be something you eat as iodine should not build up.

(For me the ranges were different so can't compare. 100-1100 mcg/g . (100-300 optimal)

But I was told that over the range would just mean that I need to reduce iodine intake.

[Josiesmum]

Thanks for raising this, I didn't realise sea salt is high in iodine.

[helvella in reply to Josiesmum]

Sea salt contains very low levels of iodine. In the sea all the things that live there absorb whatever iodine is available leaving only the tiniest amount. That is how it comes about that quite a bit of seaweed has high iodine content.

[Josiesmum in reply to helvella]

Thanks Helvella. I just checked the website for the Cornish Sea Salt we use and it says it naturally contains minerals but nothing is added. I believe other brands add iodine.

My daughter is doing a urine iodine test on Monday. Do you think she should carry on eating sea salt as normal before the test? It says supplements should not be taken beforehand. Thanks.

[helvella in reply to Josiesmum]

So far, I have never noticed any UK or other European sea salt that is iodised. This could, of course, be entirely because I don't look very often or sufficiently carefully.

Sea salts appear to conatin around 1 milligram per kilogram. If you prefer, that is one microgram per gram.

foodsafety.govt.nz/elibrary...

That is very much towards the negligible end of the scale.

If you want to have fun seeing if your salt(s) have any appreciable iodine/iodide you could follow the methods here:

scientificamerican.com/arti...

The difference of taking an extra six micrograms of iodine from the daily consumption of the six grams of salt we are supposed to limit ourselves to is unlikely to make much difference. And most of us don't consume only sea salt. Look on everything - quite a number of products (especially those made in Germany and Poland) are made with iodised salt.

[Justiina in reply to Josiesmum]

I was told to eat normal but not to take any supplements as the test is to determine how much iodine you get from your normal diet.

For the second time I was advised to use supplements normally and not to change anything.

So I would eat normally.

[Hidden]

if u don't have range,nwhy r u sure it is out of range?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

iodine 357 ug/24 h (urine) ref 170-280)

For some reason, my iodine levels have risen substantially, for no known reason...and my doctor, a so called Hertoghe doctor, offered no explanation whatsoever...

Could "reformulated" Erfa have caused all this...the fact is that, since I last had labs, in July 2015, everything seems to have gone downhill, and I really cannot say why...except that I have felt more lousy, and also ended up on sick leave for burnout...for no apparent reason...

[HLAB35]

I don't know much about erfa, but as it's from a natural source could there possibly be an issue with the consistency of levels of iodine in the drug? (I believe that there is an inconsistency with some Brewer's Yeast tablets as the levels of b vitamins cannot be predicted in any particular batch.)

As to iodine in diet:- cranberries, seaweed in sushi, white fish and himalayan salt contain loads as can some regional mineral waters and even tap water.

[Hidden in reply to HLAB35]

Thanks, interesting post!

[Hidden]

I drink a lot of sparkling/carbonated water. Not sure if that could affect iodine levels and, possibly, uric acid levels...?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Been drinking milk, dairy products, lots of fish? They can up iodine.. sparkling water will not affect iodine levels except perhaps by increasing urine volume and so lowering them in tests.

Uric acid so far as I understand it is not in water either, prurines can increase with high levels of meat eating.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I never drink milk; on the contrary, I eat Greek yoghurt and cheese occasionally, plus I love fish...so maybe that is the answer.

I have a hard time eating meat at all (be it red or poultry), but like I said, I eat a lot of fish and also shellfish...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

OK, well fish is v v v v healthy, and you will be getting lots of D there too and omegas ... I wouldn't worry too much, but maybe check you don't have any eztra iodine in any supplements you take.

Probably the ranges for iodine are a bit low at the higher end. We humans used to be big into fish... do you have Hashis? Those without Hashi's don't need to worry about iodine anyway.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I have Hashis.

I have been taking a multivitamin pill in the past few months containing iodine...which I guess could explain my excess iodine levels...I never wanted the iodine anyway, I just wanted the vits B, D, A, E, K, plus some minerals...I guess I will have to order each of them separately from now on...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

multi vitamins are so difficult. I would have guessed your D levels are pretty good from the fish... E can be got from almonds, an excellent source. You're clearly absor bing well, so maybe try just adding in relevant foods for a bit? K I can't remember - spinach, maybe.

[Hidden]

There are lots of online diet tips to reduce uric acid.

I have the opposite prob, my vegetarian son is v low in it, uric acid is a very major anti oxidant in the body so that may be causing probs for him.

[HLAB35]

Please check this out:-

bda.uk.com/foodfacts/Iodine...

Yogurt has way more iodine than regular milk, shellfish has loads too.

[Hidden in reply to HLAB35]

Wow, I had NO idea whatsoever...thank you so much! And here, I have been skipping milk in favour of yoghurt..