I regularly take Spatone x 2 daily to keep my iron stores up as I am border line anaemic. However reading the article below this morning has really thrown me. Interesting in the comments below somebody points out that there is no mention of aluminium and it's effect on the brain:-
IRON - to take or not to take 'that is the que... - Thyroid UK
IRON - to take or not to take 'that is the question'
Written by
Margo
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
28 Replies
•
There are lots of interesting points in the article - and particularly in connection with aging. Nothing seems to work quite so well as we age ! Worth a read bearing in mind it is promoting a book 
We have often been told that high levels of Ferritin and circulating Iron are not good for us without being told why - so maybe this takes it a step further.
Thank you for posting Margo ....
It would seem this is debatable, I have found this today if you are Hypothyroid:
People with hypothyroidism should avoid preparations high in iodine as it can make the condition paradoxically worse. Additionally, in certain people it could provoke hyperthyroidism.
The British Thyroid Association has issued the following statement on the use of iodine supplements and we have advised our members accordingly
The thyroid gland requires iodine for normal function. Adults need 150mcg of iodine per day.
Typically we obtain the iodine we need from a normal healthy, balanced diet. Table & cooking salt in the UK contains little or no iodine. Too little iodine can result in thyroid swelling (a goitre). Goitre in the UK is not due to iodine deficiency Too much iodine can be dangerous and cause either under activity of the thyroid (hypothyroidism) or, in some cases over activity (hyperthyroidism).
If you are taking thyroid hormone (eg. levothyroxine) for hypothyroidism or for a goitre (an enlarged thyroid gland) there is no need to supplement with iodine. It will do no good.
Also, it can be harmful and dangerous to take iodine if you have an overactive thyroid, even if you are on standard anti thyroid drugs, as the extra iodine counteracts their effects.
Should you take iodine supplements at any time? Only if it is recommended by your GP or hospital consultant.
Confused! 
• in reply toBird-Girl
Only if it is recommended by your GP or hospital consultant.
If we are to be guided by THAT sentiment then a lot of us would be in an even worse pickle! Particularly over thyroid issues.
Personally I leave iodine well alone. Got too many other deficiencies to fix first.
Confused.com Bird-girl, the article doesn't mention iodine, unless I missed it?
Oh god! I am so sorry, copied and pasted the wrong bit!
Well spotted Margo, here is the correct piece:
Iron Tablets
Some medications such as iron tablets (ferrous sulphate) can interfere with the absorption of thyroxine. Some doctors recommend a two-hour interval between taking thyroxine and the iron. Follow the advice or your doctor or pharmacist. Be aware that some multi vitamin tablets contain iron.
And the information was sourced from here: btf-thyroid.org/information...
Once again many apologies x
Phew! Thought it was my bird, iron over-load/Alzheimer brain when I read your previous reply. Thanks for correcting Bird-girl
Four hours would be better. But we say that all the time on here, it's nothing new. And multivits are a waste of money, anyway, nobody should be taking those.
Never mind Bird-Girl it was still a good link and something we are always asking about. Thanks for posting.
Well, that's what I've been saying for a long, long time.
My concern greygoose was not about when to take the iron as to whether I/we should be taking it at all in view of the article.
This article talks about the dangers of iron overload, ie it doesn't say supplementing to correct a ferritin deficiency is unsafe.
Yes, there is an overlap between symptoms of anaemia and symptoms of hypothyroidism, eg. fatigue, itchy skin, hair loss etc:
This article is about what you might call 'normal' people. Not people with thyroid problems. We don't fit into the 'normal' rules of life. We probably have low stomach acid and problems absorbing any nutrients. We're far more likely t have deficiencies than over-load.
As for the level of intelligence displayed in the comments.... I'll say no more. But one person did say something interesting about copper. And, given that hypos are more likely to be high on copper, it's something worth bearing in mind, along with aluminium, of course.
Interesting greygoose, I always thought thyroid folk were low on copper hence the grey hair.
High iron is dangerous. Low iron is dangerous too. You have diagnosed low iron, and it is very important that you keep your ferritin at a high enough level for your body to function. There is not a lot in Spatone, have you had a recent ferritin test?
Also, the Mail is no place to look for dispassionate, balanced health advice. I used to work for it. Articles are out to grab attention, to surprise, even shock... "Is your handbag giving you asthma?" It is easier to do this by giving only one side of the question.
Drs in my view are more fixated on the risks of high iron than low, but there are some very good researchers and research pieces on this. The dangers to foetuses, babies and children of low iron are particularly high, since long term effects may not be correctible. And the ranges for women on iron levels may be frankly wrong at the lower levels ... they institutionalise the low iron levels found in women due to menstruation and poor diet, and the denial of equal food to women in some cultures. Always look at the ranges for a man of your age and measure yourself against those.
Margo• in reply to
Thank you Aspmama, my last ferritin reading was 74 (ng/ml 15 - 300). I presume this on the low side for a woman past the menopause?
I agree regarding the Daily Mail on line, is my guilty pleasure, my time to be indignant at the rubbish I am reading, while I skim through while having my breakfast. Daft I know!
Yes, probably because many hypo symptoms are due to malabsorption. Low iron as well as low B12. And because there is such an overlap between Hashis and autoimmune gastritis and coeliac. Many of our symptoms are down to low nutrients.
It would be useful to pinpoint the symptoms which don't overlap.
I am a bit of an oddball when it comes to iron. I'm way past menopause, I eat meat regularly, including liver. And yet I can't hang on to iron at all. I supplement iron almost all the time, because if I don't I start getting breathless. I am having a hard time finding out how much iron I need to keep my levels optimal though.
In January I tested my ferritin and my result was 169 ug/L (13 - 150)
I stopped supplementing for four months and my next result was 81 ug/L (13 - 150)
My iron binding capacity results are always, always low in range or under the range, and I'm sure it must be the cause, or a major cause, of my problems.
I have just posted my ferritin results humanbean, I too am through the menopause, seems my result is lower than your second result, and that is with supplementing 2 x spatone daily. Not sure where I should be, do you know please?
I know there are different opinions about this.
Some people say it ought to be 70, irrespective of the reference range. I don't see the logic of that myself. If the reference range is irrelevant why even bother having one?
Personally - and this is my choice - I want a result that is mid-range. If my ferritin drops below mid-range then I start feeling weak, tired, and breathless. But then I also know that when my ferritin is mid-range all my other iron-related measures e.g. serum iron are sub-optimal. This may not be true for others.
So, in your shoes I would be aiming for about 150 - 160ng/mL. But if you feel well with your result where it is, then carry on doing whatever you are doing.
If you wanted to raise your result there are other supplements that might work more quickly for you.
Spatone has 5mg of iron per sachet. I use ferrous fumarate 210mg. Each pill contains 69mg of iron, but I know lots of people have problems tolerating it. You could try something containing a bit more iron if you wanted to. Iron bisglycinate (also called ferrous bisglycinate, and also called Gentle Iron) has 20mg or 25mg iron per capsule or pill I think. It is easily sourced on Amazon.
I would recommend that you join the "Magnesium Advocacy Group" on facebook. There is extensive scientific information held in the group in regard to iron. Most of the population has an excess of unbound damaging iron held within our organs etc as so many foods are fortified with iron and iron supplements are not in a bio-avaliable form. This group has a health protocol which focuses on mineral balancing and clearing unbound iron and copper which cause many health problems. Nutrients are obtained from whole food sources as much as possible. I recommend it.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Iodine, To take or not to take that is the question?
Conflicting advice (scroll down to the bottom for the comments) on Iodine....
Ord' or Hashimoto's, that is the question
Apparently, those who use the term Hashimoto's very broadly, however incorrectly in the strictest...
To teva or not to teva? that is the question
My gp has agreed to give me some levo so that I can experiment with combining t4 and ndt.
It’s...
To T4 or not to T4 that is the question?
So you lovely people I am having my T3 tested next week and was wondering should I take my...
To T3 or not to T3? That is the Question.....
My Free T3 is 1.9(2.3-5.5). My PCP does not prescribe T3 but my Functional Medicine Doctor does...
To take meds at night or not take meds at night, that is the question!
T4 or not T4 - That is the question
T3 or Not T3, that is my question?
Iodine Is Not The Bad Guy
To take Carnitine, or not to take Carnitine with hypothyroidism?
