I have absolutely no auto immune disease. is it... - Thyroid UK

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I have absolutely no auto immune disease. is it safe to take toasted nori seaweed for hypothyroidism?

chimes profile image
22 Replies

my ana test came up 0

other tests 0

There is study by Glasgow university via napiers the herbalists about the use of hebridean seaweed for thyroid patients.

As I only have roasted nori seaweed sheets. I am wondering if its safe to take in the morning and my thyroxine at night as the nori sheets have low iodine?

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chimes profile image
chimes
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22 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Chimes,

If you are taking Levothyroxine you shouldn't need to supplement iodine. Supplementing iodine can trigger autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). The study read like a Napiers advertorial to me.

chimes profile image
chimes in reply toClutter

well levo aint working and doesnt provide all the hormones needed. Same with T3. I just feel like rubbish. I don't feel any better on lousy synthetic meds!

radd profile image
radd in reply tochimes

chimes,

Welcome to our forum and sorry hear you are not feeling well.

It is true that iodine is required for good thyroid function but your meds will have the correct amount already in them, and I agree with Clutter that supplementing additional iodine may instigate Hashimotos Autoimmune Disease.

For many thyroid hormone replacement only works well with optimal nutrients. Ask your GP to test Vit B12, folate, ferritin, Vit D and post results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

chimes profile image
chimes in reply toradd

I dont want to be attatched to a chemist for the rest of my life! :(

all my vitamin levels bar folic acid and vit d. are top of the range!

vit d is middle and folic acid on the very low end of normal range.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tochimes

There is something wrong if you feel rubbish, so it's time to start from scratch.

1. Make a new appointment for a blood test.

2. It should be the very earliest possible and fast. You can drink water.

3. Allow 24 hours between your last dose of levo (I assume you take it in the morning with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating)? So take your levo after blood test.

4. Ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as we can be deficient.

5. Get a print-out of your results with the ranges and put them on a new post for comments.

6. If your TSH isn't around 1 or lower and some of us need it suppressed (doctors don't) you aren't on a sufficient dose.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply tochimes

Chimes,

Are you optimally dosed? Post your thyroid results and ranges and we'll take a look. If you are optimally dosed on T4+T3 it may be worth trying NDT.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

Hi, your heading leaves me a little confused, i.e.

"I have absolutely no auto immune disease"

but if you are hypothyroid it is an autoimmune condition as it is your own body which has made you hypothyroid so I'd avoid anything with iodine, seaweed etc as levothyroxine contains iodine.

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North in reply toshaws

I have secondary hypo and no thyroid antibodies - not all hypo is autoimmune.

chimes profile image
chimes in reply toshaws

correct! I dont have auto immune disease! only hypothyroidism! They have done all the tests and just under active thyroid. Doctor says it could be down to stressful life or diet! so they suggested take seaweed and check out thyroid uk for more guidance!

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw in reply tochimes

I'm not sure why a doctor has told you it's stress or diet. That's just not true.

Nori has very little iodine compared to kombu or wakame (so should be fine). Eat because you like it, not because you think it will cure anything. I use it to make veggie "sushi" rolls. I also like it with cashew butter. I buy the unroasted nori from goodnessdirect.co.uk as I prefer it.

examine.com/faq/how-can-i-s...

chimes profile image
chimes in reply toAngel_of_the_North

ok so how far apart should I take this away from thyroid medication? I love sushi!

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tochimes

Chimes - Clutter's comment is correct. Don't add iodine if you are already taking levothyroxine as it could trigger and autoimmune condition called Hashimoto's and this means that antibodies (which you may not have at present) may be activitated and members can feel much worse with this condition than hypo and this is a more in-depth link:-

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

What dose of levothyroxine are you on and if you can put up a new post giving your blood test results with the ranges you will get more responses.

We cannot rush headlong into suggestions. We have to have a clear head and not run on emotions. We want to get better and feel better so follow my suggestion above about your blood test and request your GP to do them. :)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

verywell.com/why-is-vitamin...

chimes profile image
chimes

right as I am getting mixed info....my head is spinning! i am on 50 mg of levo. I have reduced meds 10 times!

Just looking to reduce third dose... i came here for a second opinion but ufff!

Treepie profile image
Treepie

If you do go ahead make sure you take selenium.

chimes profile image
chimes in reply toTreepie

so I can take seaweed? how many hours apart from thyroxine? full 12 hours? or can u take it like 8 hours or 4 hours away from thyroxine? how much selenium do I take after taking nori?

Treepie profile image
Treepie in reply tochimes

Personally ,I do not think you should but you seem determined .There is much controversy about supplementing iodine when on Levo. It can cause hyperthyroidism.I have read that if low on selenium it is a very bad idea so you need to know the level.I think you should read "Stop the Thyroid Madness 2 " on iodine and selenium before starting.I am no expert .

radd profile image
radd in reply toTreepie

chimes,

....[ .. I don't want to be attached to a chemist for the rest of my life! ..] .... lol ..... We are all attached to a chemist of some variety or another if medicating pharmaceutical thyroid hormone replacement

Re Sushi, as you have no auto-immune disease, a little sushi now and then will be fine as the amount of iodine in nori seaweed is low.

However, eat it because you enjoy it and not as a thyroid hormone replacement as you are already medicating thyroid hormone replacement. Be aware that too much iodine may increase thyroid activity making you feel hyperthyroid.

If T4 isn't working for you, it may be that your Vit D and folic acid aren't just quite high enough for optimal thyroid function and 50 mcg Levo isn't a very high dose. If you have previously reduced 10 times, what dose were you medicating before ? ? ..

If you supply test results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) members will comment.

It is important to take your pill on an empty stomach with a glass of water, 1 hour before food, 2 hours before supplements and 4 hours before calcium, iron or vit D supplements. Nori Seaweed rules are the same as any other food ..

Selenium should be balanced with iodine, is known to enhance thyroid function and may be supplemented as 100-200mcg daily but I don't think you would require additional selenium in order to eat a little Nori Seaweed occasionally.

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North in reply tochimes

You don't "take seaweed", you eat it just like potatoes or avocado or whatever. If you just eat "normal" quantities for a Westerner, you shouldn't even hit your daily recommended allowance for iodine. (Nori has 12mcg of iodine per gram and a full Nori sheet is about 2g). As with any food, you should leave at least an hour (pref 2) between eating and taking meds. Many veg (including potatoes) contain iodine (esp if organic and grown in good soil), but you don't see anyone telling you not to eat potatoes or beans because of the iodine.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

chriskresser.com/iodine-for...

Eachel profile image
Eachel

if you want to try it I posted what happened to me in your other thread :) you don't have to believe this is for life, the body wants to heal and be healthy.

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