Diagnosed with Graves' disease 5yrs ago had RAI now on levothyroxine 100mcgs daily . Have read some conflicting reports on taking Iodine . Should I be taking it ? My blood results are within normal rang with the exception of T3 which is 3.01 a little low .
Iodine: Diagnosed with Graves' disease 5yrs ago... - Thyroid UK
Iodine
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annie123
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SeasideSusieRemembering
Annie
No, you shouldn't be taking it unless you have been tested and found to be deficient and then only under the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
Iodine is anti-thyroid and used to be used to treat overactive thyroid.
With the greatest respect, you really should read up before giving advice.
“Iodine is anti-thyroid & is used to treat overactive Thyroid”....
You do know that our Thyroids need Iodine, right?
You do know why T4 has a 4 & T3 has a 3?
You do know that RAI (Radioactive Iodine) is used to treat (kill) over active thyroid. The Radiation being the key word there... the Iodine is merely the means of getting the radiation into the thyroid.
Eating Radioactive bananas would kill you. Standard banana perfectly safe.
Your reply is informative but does it need to be so sarcastic? Let’s all try and be kind as well as helpful.
Absolutely no sarcasm in my post.
The constant confusion between Iodine & Radioactive Iodine on here isn’t helpful & shouldn’t be offered as advice.
With respect I wonder if the confusion comes from you reading SS sentence incorrectly, she said iodine used to be used to treat over active thyroid, which it was, she wasn't, as I read it, referring to RAI but the liquid variety of iodine used way back in the past.
What's your point then? I didn't find any good advice for Annie, or any of us, on your "reply" to SeasideSusie? Sure you want to help?
My point is quite clear.
Maybe you prefer nonsense.
I usually prefer manners in public forums and respect for its members.
Yes, so do I.
Challenging a statement like “Iodine is anti-thyroid” isn’t bad manners. I just stated fact.
Knackersyard
Yes, yes and yes.
You do know that I haven't confused iodine with radioactive iodine don't you? Did you read my post before you jumped down my throat, I said:
used to be used to treat overactive thyroid.
* Iodine solutions, such as saturated potassium iodide solutions (SSKI) or potassium iodide-iodine (Lugol's solution), replaced burnt sponge extract in the 19th century as treatment for endemic goiter. By extension, they were sometimes used to treat Graves' disease, but by the end of the century, they were considered to be a dangerous form of therapy. They returned to favor in the 1920s as preoperative treatment for hyperthyroidism and were used in the 1930s as the sole therapy for mild hyperthyroidism prior to the introduction of the thionamides. Today, iodine continues to have a minor role in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Douglas S Ross, MD
I made no mention that iodine is now used and of course I know the difference.
Some information on why we shouldn't use iodine taken from respected sources:
From British Thyroid Foundation website:
Iodine
People with hypothyroidism should avoid preparations high in iodine as it can make the condition paradoxically worse.
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.
From British Thyroid Association website:
* I have read on the internet that taking kelp supplements is good for your thyroid/can help you lose weight. Is this true?
The short answer is no. In fact kelp supplements can damage your thyroid as they often contain excessive amounts of iodine, even if taken within the dose recommendations on the label.
* I have been told by my doctor that I have a borderline thyroid disorder. Will kelp/iodine supplements help me?
Kelp or iodine supplements will almost certainly not help anyone with a borderline thyroid disorder because the disorder is probably an autoimmune condition. In fact kelp supplements could make things worse.
* Is there any benefit in taking kelp (iodine) supplements when you have a thyroid disorder?
High dose iodine preparations such as kelp can lead to both hypo- and hyperthyroidism in susceptible individuals with an underlying thyroid disorder so are best avoided.
You do know that our Thyroids need Iodine, right?
Of course.
You do know why T4 has a 4 & T3 has a 3?
Yes
You do know that RAI (Radioactive Iodine) is used to treat (kill) over active thyroid. The Radiation being the key word there... the Iodine is merely the means of getting the radiation into the thyroid.
Yes, and did I mention Radioactive iodine - oh, the answer to that would be no then.
With the greatest respect, maybe you should read and take in everything that is said
"No, you shouldn't be taking it unless you have been tested and found to be deficient and then only under the guidance of an experienced practitioner."
And I agree with Millea, your post does come across as sarcastic.
Hi Susie
I have no intention to getting into long winded debates & crapping all over the OP’s thread.
You said - “Iodine is anti-thyroid”.
That’s misleading & false.
There was absolutely no offence intended in my post.
knackersyard
You said - “Iodine is anti-thyroid”.
So these aren't anti-thyroid?
used to be used to treat overactive thyroid
used to treat Graves' disease
continues to have a minor role in the treatment of hyperthyroidism
People with hypothyroidism should avoid preparations high in iodine as it can make the condition paradoxically worse.
In fact kelp supplements can damage your thyroid
Too much iodine can be dangerous and cause either under activity of the thyroid (hypothyroidism) or, in some cases over activity (hyperthyroidism).
OK then.
drbrownstein.com/iodine-why...
Iodine is essential for Thyroid function.
Without Iodine, we can’t produce T4, 3, 2, 1
If Iodine was harmful to health, the FDA would shut down guys like Brownstein & probably jail him.
I’ll leave it there.
knackersyard
Iodine is essential for Thyroid function.
Of course it is, and all thyroid meds contain iodine atoms.
And Iodine is easy enough to obtain in our diet.
Which is why I said testing should be carried out and supplement if found to be deficient.
That’s quite different from your opening reply though. Maybe it was a typo? As I said, there was certainly no rudeness intended in my response. I do get bemused by posts every time Iodine is mentioned. Irrational fear. I took in excess of 50mg per day for 2 years. No adverse effects. Didn’t see any benefit either to be fair.
knackersyard
No, my opening reply wasn't a typo. The OP asked if she should take iodine. My reply was simple, to the point and answered her question, and I gave a reason why she shouldn't take it.
No, you shouldn't be taking it unless you have been tested and found to be deficient and then only under the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
Iodine is anti-thyroid and used to be used to treat overactive thyroid.
If she'd wanted further elaboration I'm sure she would have asked. As it is, the thread has evolved and all the evidence is there.
Who cares about the FDA, this is the UK? And if you really believe that, well ... I think they only go after people who effect cures that threaten the establishment. In fact, some might say that the reason he is still around is because he isn't a threat.
Actually, iodine WAS used as a treatment for hyper thyroid for many years. If you have no thyroid (because it's been killed or removed), there is no point taking iodine for the thyroid - because you haven't got one any more. However, other tissues do need iodine, but too much (of anything) is as harmful as too little, which is why you should not take it unless deficient and should be monitored. The levo (or NDT or T3) you take contains plenty of iodine.
Please do not take it unless ubderstrict instruction from a specialist. My mother was taking it for a underactive thyroid ‘far too much as it happens” she didn’t even have a iodine deficiency. She was reading off the Internet and didn’t know what she was doing. She suffered a massive heart attack and is lucky to still be here.
Unless you have been told specifically that you have a iodine deficiency do not take it. As seasisesussie says only under the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
Tanya
Hi Annie
There’s a lot of negative press around Iodine. Years ago it was widely used in medicine. When the big pharma companies started producing prescription drugs, they obviously pushed their own profitable wares. They can’t patent a natural substance, so they’re not going to market it.
Also (bizarrely) many Thyroid sufferers, who really should understand their condition better, fail to understand the difference between the nasty substance used to obliterate your Thyroid (Radio Active Iodine) and pure Iodine.
That said, if you’re saying your T4 is at a good level, but T3 is low, then conversion is the issue, not Iodine deficiency.
I was prescribed 100mcg Levo & didn’t convert it at all. Many don’t.
You should post up all your numbers. Maybe you need T3.
I tend to use information that I read like this 'It has to be consistant with everything I already know'. I do this because there is so much conflicting evidence/science/info in the world.So my life experiance iodine. It was very widley used when I started nursingto clean and seterilize wounds and bodys were often painted with it inlarge swathes before an operation. This has been in practice for decades and was not known to cause any problems. However it is a fundamantal life rule thatI particualry experianced when drinking beer as a young adult that too much of anything is not good.
I have used iodine without any harmful effectsand used it last night asa gargle to help a sore throat. I have been on this forum for several years and other than the mentioned heart attack above and I am not sure about cause and effect there.I have not come across any one who has been made ill but several people who have read info suggesting it too be harmful.I was told it couldcause thryoid storm but I have never seen this. I lean towards thinkingit is OK butwould suggest that due to the controversy if you want to take it you seesomeone experianced and have checked your levels.
Why do you want to take it is my question? Do you have any thyroid left becuase some recent reasurch has show that people with out a thyroid cannot convert T4 to T3 (the active thyroid hormone) that conversion issomething that happens with inthe thyroid.This is consistant with what I have seen on this forum withlots of people who are with out functioning thyroid doing very badly on T4 and seeming torespond much better to NDT.
Can you post again with your symptoms and full blood results togive usa better picture of why your feel you need iodine?
bantam12• in reply to
People without a thyroid can convert T4 to T3 as most conversion takes place in the liver and other organs.
greygoose• in reply to
I agree with bantam12. My thyroid is dead but I can convert.
Also, I had a very bad reaction to taking iodine. I was prescribed it by a misogynous pig of a GP who seemed to think it was good for hysteria, or something. He did no tests, he asked no questions. I just went to him because I had a large black floater in my left eye that obscured my vision, and I came out with a bottle of iodine solution and an acute feeling of humiliation.
At the time, I was having hypo symptoms, but didn't know they were hypo symptoms. And they all got ten times worse with taking the iodine.
Angel_of_the_North• in reply to
I also use iodine on wounds, etc, but I wouldn't drink it just for my thyroid on the off chance it might help. I did once try iodoral (for about a year) and it honestly didn't make any difference one way or the other.
• in reply toAngel_of_the_North
My experiance of taking it has been the same just made no difference.I think like most things it does not agree with everyone but I suspect it is not the great villian it is made out to be. I thinkit used to be used to treat hypothyroidism before NDT was discovered but couldnt have been such a great treatment as NDT was quickly seen asa miracle from what I gather.
Diaognes posted some new reasurche a few weeks ago that indicates that it takes place within the thyroid gland not as previously thought in other organs. This is consistant with my life experince of seeing people without thyroids being very poorly on T4 and the idea that T4 to T3 happens elsewhere is consistant with the kind of rubbish Endos might talk to phob patients off who dont feel that they are converting.
bantam12• in reply to
It can't all take place in the thyroid, if it was so then all of us without thyroids and only taking Levo would be pushing up daisies, I am very well on Levo and my conversion is good.
The story from diogenes was somewhat more complicated than it all being done in the thyroid. Well worth looking a his recent posts.
Hi Bantam,
glad to hear you are doing well on Levo alone, that is good for you as at least you don't have to battle to get T3 from the health service,or ultimately buy it yourself.Unfortunately I think you are probably in the minority,as it seems that most people on here without a thyroid find they also need T3. I have no thyroid and was very unwell on thyroxine alone.Also 20% of the T3 the body needs comes directly from the thyroid gland,so if you don't have one that's not going to be possible.
What's "not going to be possible"
Neither my sister nor I have thyroids yet both of us are fine with Levo, she's been nearly 40 years on it. There were 6 members of my family on Levo and all perfectly well.
Hi Bantam,
on Thyroid UK's website under "The thyroid gland - an overview", it states that "the thyroid gland produces 80% T4 and 20% T3." The T4 is converted (hopefully!) to T3, but someone without a thyroid is still not getting as much T3 as someone with a functioning thyroid gland would.I suppose the way around it is to give you increasing amounts of Levo to counteract it, but this does not always work in everyone, depending on how well they convert.
Anyway, I am glad to hear you are all well on just Levo. Maybe it depends if any of the thyroid is left after the operation. I know someone who had part of it left and she didn't have to have any medication, though all of mine was taken out as it was pressing on my throat.
We are all different. I have a thyroid and, genetically, I should be a good converter, but my T3 stays stubbornly just under mid range even on NDT. I do best on T3 only.
Hi Angel,
I have Levo and T3 (still on the NHS thankfully,but I had to jump through hoops to get it!).I just can't take too much Levo as it pushes up my blood pressure and gives me palpitations. I could probably do with a little more T3 instead of the Levo, but not much hope of any more unless I buy it myself,I had to fight to get what I am getting.
I am o.k. most of the time, not wonderful, but then who is with a thyroid problem.
No I have absolutely no thyroid left after surgery and RAI, nothing there confirmed by surgeon after parathyroid surgery 3 years ago.
My T3 is top end of the range 😊
Hi, then lucky you! Mine will never be that, but I have learnt to accept that I will never feel the same as I did before the removal.
I wont argue with your life experience .
bantam12• in reply to
We know a small amount of conversion is done in the thyroid so it would be useful if you could link to Diogenes post that states new research shows conversion only takes place in the thyroid and not in other organs.
Dear bantom. I will have a go but my ability to use this forum in terms of finding past posts is limited. I do however follow diogenes so will see what I can do.
• in reply to
healthunlocked.com/api/redi...
Not sure if this is it. Will check. It was described by dioganese as very complex so worth reading his explanation and the other posts.
bantam12• in reply to
Way to complicated but thanks anyway.
Not a good idea to take it with your meds. It gives you heart palpitations. You might want to look into a couple of books by Dr. David Brownstein on Overcoming Thyroid Disorders and Iodine are very informative. I was on Armor Thyroid and took a little too much iodine and I thought my heart was running a race. And realized that's what it was.
Do you have any particular reason to think you need additional iodine, or are you (quite understandably) looking at all possible options to help you feel better ?
If the former, why don’t you discuss the situation with your GP/endo. before supplementing yourself, to make sure you understand all the opportunities and implications of your particular case. (To start with, do you know whether you have any remaining thyroid function or not ?). I’m not saying you shouldn’t take iodine supplements, but even the BTF, which seems keen to eradicate iodine deficiency in Britain, advises caution .
btf-thyroid.org/projects/io...
bda.uk.com/foodfacts/Iodine...
If this is a more general hunt for things that might improve your health, you could get your vitamin and mineral levels tested, perhaps by your GP, but more likely privately. That would give you a baseline to work with, and there are people here who can provide advice and information if you choose to publish your results.
Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormone. T4 has 4 atoms of iodine, T3 3 atomes, etc. If you don't have a working thyroid to make hormones, you don't really need iodine, do you. 
I know people argue that iodine is needed by other parts of the body, but what you get in your food, plus the 65 mcg you get from your 100 mcg levo, which is recycled, should be more than enough.
Asked one simple question sadly it appears some members on this forum appear to be trying to get brownie points and are rude . It does not come over as helpful for new members like myself it just puts you off altogether.
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