Iodine

[Sylvia22]

Whilst on Amazon I read some amazing reviews on iodine. Several people said it had greatly reduced their fibromyalgia. However I have also read that iodine should not be taken if you are on Levothyroxine. Any thoughts?

[greygoose]

My opinion is that no-one should take iodine unless they have tested deficient. And, even then, they should not be taking supplements they buy on Amazon off their own bat. They should be closely followed by a doctor who knows what he's doing.

So, why did these people find that it helped their fibro? Well, given that fibro is not a disease, it is a syndrome, and that a syndrome has to be caused by something, it is often caused by un/under-treated hypo - low thyroid. Taking iodine stimulates the thyroid gland to put out more hormone. If they had low hormone, then the extra hormone would make them feel better - just as taking thyroid hormone replacement would.

So, you might ask, isn't that a good thing? Well, it would be if the results were permanent. But, they aren't. Stimulating a sick gland - for whatever reason - only causes it to burn out more quickly. So, after the initial improvement in symptoms, you get worse - worse than you were before, because your gland is now even sicker than it was. So, no, that is not a good thing.

And, why shouldn't you take it if you are taking levo? Because one molecule of levo contains four atoms of iodine. Every time a molecule of T4 is converted to T3, one atom of iodine is removed, and goes into the blood stream, and is recycled. So, you are, in effect, already taking iodine. If you take 100 mcg levo a day, you get 60 mcg iodine a day. Plus what you get from your food. It all mounts up. So, if you take an iodine supplement on top, you will quickly find yourself over-dosed on iodine. And that can make your hypo worse; can exacerbate Hashi's symptoms; can even trigger Hashi's in someone who didn't have it before. So, no. You should not take iodine if you take levo.

[Sylvia22 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose. I am on 125 levothyroxine. You know what it's like, you have a fibromyalgia flare and start looking for things to help Good job I checked Thanks

[greygoose in reply to Sylvia22]

You're welcome. If you're still getting 'fibromyalgia flares' I would think you need an increase in your levo. Have you got any labs to share with us?

[Sylvia22 in reply to greygoose]

My last ones were something like. TSH 0.06 T4. 20 they don't test T3

[greygoose in reply to Sylvia22]

Well, I'd need a range for that T4 to know what it's like.

But, it doesn't matter where the TSH and FT4 are, they could be perfect, but you could still be hypo because of not converting T4 to T3. And, only testing T3 will tell you that.

On the other hand, you could have nutritional deficiencies causing problems. Have you had your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested? These all need to be optimal - not just in range - for you to be able to use the hormone you're giving your body.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Before considering whether or not to supplement with iodine, get tested to see if you are deficient. If you don't have a deficiency then don't supplement.

You can do a urine test for iodine through Genova. Go to ThyroidUK's main website, the Genova Testing page and click on the link at the top for the PDF list of tests

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

and on page 3 you will see

Urine Iodine Test:

Specimen requirements: Urine

Cost: £71.00

Order Code: END25

Turnaround time: 16 - 19 days

Iodine is an essential trace element, vital for healthy thyroid function. Adequate levels are required to

enable the production of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, whilst also being required in other areas of health. Deficiencies can lead to impaired heat and energy production, mental function and slow metabolism. Urine iodine is one of the best measures of iodine status.

If you're tempted to do an iodine loading test then I suggest you read this first blog.zrtlab.com/flaws-in-th... and click to 'continue reading'.

[Sylvia22 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks. Will look into this

[Sylvia22]

Thank hou