Kelp: Not diagnosed with a thyroid issue, no... - Thyroid UK

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Kelp

TheRealPumpkinska profile image

Not diagnosed with a thyroid issue, no diagnosis at all (so far), but as my previous post, have horrible symptoms. (my symptoms and my last test results are in my profile)

Anyway, this post is to ask those who are more knowledgeable than I, with my levels as they are, would be doing any harm buying some kelp tablets? This awful fatigue has to stop. I have been advised my multivitamin & minerals are crap and it's been suggested I buy Vit B Complex, however, I assume my thyroid results arent dire, (?) so it may be ok to go for kelp ? What do you think?

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TheRealPumpkinska
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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

You need to do an iodine test before considering supplementing with any form of iodine. If you want to test then do a non-loading one, not the loading one where you take iodine beforehand.

Genova do one, you have to do it through Thyroid UK as your practioner and the results are sent to TUK who then email them to you. Test is END25 thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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But looking at your previous post healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... there are things you can do:

Ditch the multivitamin as advised

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Take a B Complex not Biotin as advised

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Look into low stomach acid - do the home baking soda test scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-... and if it seems you have low stomach acid then buy some Betaine HCL with Pepsin capsules and take during a meal containing protein (with plenty of water) or start using organic Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother in honey sweetened water or orange juice before a main meal.

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Vitamin D 92 nmol/L - continue with your maintenance dose to keep your level between that recommended by the Vit D Council which is 100-150nmol/L.

There are important cofactors needed when taking D3

vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems.

D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds.

Magnesium comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Check out the other cofactors too.

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Serum Ferritin 37 ug/L range 13-150 - this needs serious work. It must be at least 70 for thyroid hormone to work - and that's our own as well as replacement. Recommended is half way through it's range and for females I've seen it said 100-130 is best.

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TOTAL Thyroxine (T4) 89 nmol/L range 59-154

TSH 2.81 mIU/L 0.27-4.2 (was 2.72 in Sep 2016 range same)

Free Thyroxine 14.2 pmol/L range 12.0-22.0

Free T3 4.1 pmol/L range 3.1-6.8

You already know your thyroid is struggling, you need to give it as much help as you can. Also, do some research on secondary hypothyroidism which is where TSH is normal or low and free T4/T3 are low. I don't know if yours are low enough, hence research. Start here bestpractice.bmj.com/best-p... click on Normal TSH - associated with a low FT4 and/or FT3 then continue with some research.

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Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine helps support the thyroid.

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A decent multimineral if you want one (susitable for vegans) which doesn't contain iron, iodine or calcium biocare.co.uk/mineral-complex

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to SeasideSusie

I would advise getting copper tested before taking that mineral complex, because if you are on the way to becoming hypo, your copper could be high, so you don't want to add anymore to it.

Iodine won't help your thyroid work, as many people seem to think. It is just one of the ingredients of thyroid hormone. But, if your thyroid is having trouble making hormone because it is sick, for some reason - or not being stimulated enough by the TSH - then adding in extra ingredients isn't going to help.

And, excess iodine can trigger Hashi's - among other things.

TheRealPumpkinska profile image
TheRealPumpkinska in reply to greygoose

Thanks again for your comments. I appreciate it. I struggle to get any tests done by my GP so I doubt I'll be able to get the copper test done sadly.

Do you really think my levels are serious enough to avoid iodine? Its a pity, as I wanted to take kelp for a variety of reasons.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to TheRealPumpkinska

You can't just take kelp. Iodine is not something to play around with by oneself. You need a medical practitioner who knows what he's doing if you don't want to cause a heap of problems for yourself. There are protocols to follow.

TheRealPumpkinska profile image
TheRealPumpkinska in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you so much for your comments. I really do appreciate it. I will look into what you suggest

HEA72 profile image
HEA72

Agree with all the comments here.

I've got some extra tips that may help?

Take a good oral magnesium supplement too and regular epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) baths. Energy production is at mitochondrial level. The thyroid is only part of the story, as the T3 thyroid hormone tells the Krebs Cycle within the mitochondria how fast to make energy. However if the mitochondria are deficient in certain co-enzymes and co-factors (vitamins and minerals) to make the enzymes needed for energy production, no matter how well your thyroid functions, energy will not be made. The mitochondria need a good supply of magnesium, b-complex(especially B3), co-Q10 to make ATP (energy).

Toxins e.g. chemicals and toxic metals, can also block mitochondrial and thyroid function.

So take a 'chemical/toxin holiday', i.e. that's not using any cosmetics, toiletries, house hold cleaning products that contain synthetic ingredients, check your cookware - avoid any cookware that can leach chemicals and toxic metals into foods, that includes stopping using aluminium foil and plastic containers for cooking in.

Do you have any amalgams? It may help to get a hair mineral test for mercury and other toxic metals. The NHS don't test for chronic toxic metal exposure, only acute exposure, so this test needs to be ordered privately. Plenty of free info on all of this on Dr Sarah Myhill's website:

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Toxic_m...

Hope this doesn't bombard you with too much, just hope it's helpful. Take a step at a time, you'll get there. It can just take a bit of super sleuthing to get there (from my experience anyway). :-)

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