Iodine kelp supplement

[J9pieterse]

I have been taking levothyroxine for around 20 years. My most recent blood tests showed TSH to be 3.16 which is unusual for me a sim usually well controlled between 1.08 and around 2.5. I don’t want to increase my medication dosage. Would a supplement containing iodine or kelp help to improve my thyroid function?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Why don't you want to increase your dose of thyroid meds?

Iodine is anti-thyroid and used to be used to treat overactive thyroid. Not a good idea to supplement with Iodine unless tested and found to be deficient, then only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

What are your FT4 and FT3 levels?

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?

Have you had vitamins and minerals tested - Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin?

[J9pieterse in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes I’ve had vit d tests etc and all fine. I don’t really want to increase thyroxine as I feel it’s just treating the symptom and not getting to the root cause. I’ve been to an endocrinologist in the past and had all extensive tests etc and all came back fine.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to J9pieterse]

"Fine" doesn't tell us if levels are optimal, just that they're in range. Are they

Vit D - 100-150nmol/L

B12 - top of range

Folate - at least half way through range

Ferritin - minimum of 70, preferably half way through range

The reason for hypothyroidism is a failing thyroid gland for whatever reason. All you can do is replace the hormone that your Thyroid gland can't produce. Optimal nutrient levels help thyroid hormone to work and if you have autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's (raised antibodies) then adopting a gluten free diet and supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine can help reduce the antibodies.

[greygoose in reply to J9pieterse]

Even if you ever got to the root cause - which is highly unlikely - there's no guarantee that you could do anything about it - except take a decent dose of levo.

Do you have Hashi's?

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to J9pieterse]

The root cause is that your thyroid can't make enough thyroid hormones, so supplementing them is the proper treatment. If you have hashis (autoimmune thyroiditis), your thyroid is progressively destroyed so you end up needing more medication to top up what little your thyroid is able to produce. Improving gut function and vitamin and mineral levels can help conversion, but if your thyroid is nearly dead, it won't revive.

[J9pieterse]

Thanks for the info, I will need to visit doc again to discuss I think