Iodine supplement

[Barny12]

Hi all,

I have recently had a blood test at my GPs which revealed that I have a slightly underactive thyroid: TSH level 5.922, T4 level 10.6.

I know iodine is essential for thyroid function so I would like to know if iodine supplements would help, as I have been vegan for a couple of years and having checked out plant sources of iodine realised that I'm probably getting vitually zero through my diet - most common sources seem to be dairy.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Best to test first before supplementing, if deficient then supplement under the guidance of an experienced practioner.

Non-loading urine test is supposed to be the best as it establishes existing levels can be used to monitorlevel when supplementing

Genova Diagnostics do this test, you will need to use ThyroidUK as your "practioner", details about how to order and receive results here:

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/g...

and click on the link to the PDF to find the test:

Test Order Code: END25

[Barny12 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for the quick reply!

If tests indicate that I am iodine deficient, is it likely that a supplement would normalise my thyroid issues or would they only prevent things becoming worse?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Barny12]

I can't answer your question I'm afraid, an experienced practitioner should be able to if you are found to be deficient.

[Marz]

I would test B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD. All need to be optimal for good thyroid function. Check anti-bodies too - if raised Iodine is not a good idea - I have read ...

[Barny12 in reply to Marz]

Thanks all.

[Gambit62]

You really need to establish what is causing your thyroid to be underactive before supplementing. Yes, iodine is needed for the healthy functioning of the thyroid and thyroid function will be affected if you are deficient in iodine but iodine isn't the only thing that will cause the thyroid to malfunction - damage to the thyroid and auto-immune disorders will also affect functioning of the thyroid.

Some damage may be temporary - which is why diagnosis of hypothyroidism is generally done through 2 thyroid function tests a few months apart.

On dietary sources of iodine:

dairy products tend to be rich in iodine because cattle feed is supplemented with iodine.

The amount of iodine in food generally seems to be very dependent on the amount of iodine in food and can vary considerably within the same plant group - coastal areas tend to have higher levels than in-land areas just because sea salt has higher levels of iodine.

Using national tables to determine amounts of dietary intake could mean you are vastly under or vastly overstating your dietary intake

On dietary intake

There appear to be some genetic factors that mean that high iodine intake is a condition that activates latent genes related to auto-immune thyroid problems. Rates of hypothyroidism are higher in areas with iodine rich foods (eg Japan) and studies show they rise when attempts to increase iodine intake through fortification (generally salt) take place (eg Tanzania).

On supplements

It is extremely difficult to regulate the amount of iodine in plant based supplements and amounts in supplements can vary dramatically.

You can overdose on iodine and there have been cases where this has happened through use of dietary supplements, believed to be taken within daily limits because the amount in the tablets is so difficult to keep constant and does vary dramatically.

[Hashi-hacker]

Hi, did you take the iodine test as linked to by SeasideSusie? I am having the same thoughts as you about iodine as I am dairy free (but not vegan) and would like to know where you're at with this. I tried to use seaweed on my breakfast but can't get add enough for it to worthwhile without it affecting the taste x

[Barny12 in reply to Hashi-hacker]

Hi Hashi-hacker, No, I didn't take the test but I have supplemented with iodine for the last two months and I have an appointment to discuss the results with my doctor next week - but my TSH level is now down from 5.92 to 2.82 and is now within normal parameters so it seems to have been successful.

[Hashi-hacker in reply to Barny12]

Do you feel better? TSH can swing around for all sorts of reasons. And do you take selenium?

[Barny12 in reply to Hashi-hacker]

Yes I am taking selenium via the Vegan Society Veg 1 supplements. Hard to say whether I feel much different as I wasn't feeling ill anyway - the TSH reading was picked up on a blood test for another issue.

[Hashi-hacker in reply to Barny12]

Thanks! Glad to hear it's working for you x