I've recently started to get hot flashes, especially at night. Been reading up about comparisons between dairy and non dairy for nutritional content; all non dairy alternatives are usually fortified with calcium and B12 (in the UK as standard) but not iodine, therefore iodine intake can drop below the good levels.
I think my night sweats may be due to low iodine; I had my blood tested a year ago (full blood and hormone counts) but it came back fine. What else can I do? What can I add to my diet to improve my iodine intake
As a footnote; I also have endometriosis and am 34, I am not on any medication. My diet - reasonably healthy reduced dairy, reduced gluten and reduced red meat as of about 3 years ago. Previously no problems.
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luthien
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I perhaps wasn't clear! I am not on any medication for thyroid problems as my hormone tests last year came back clear, so there was no concern. I will update the above
Yes I did, I don't have it with me to put on here, or can remember the result. They did the test alongside all the other hormone tests for my endometriosis. As far as the doctors were concerned my thyroid hormones are functioning normally.
I'm interested in what effect a low dairy diet could have on iodine levels rather than going straight for hormones as it could simply be finding out what I should be including - supplementing my diet with the correct iodine levels.
You need to check your iodine levels before you even think of supplementing it or trying to increase levels. Not a good idea to go in blind, on anything, but iodine can cause more problems.
It's not a routine test, and if your Drs concluded that your thyroid hormone levels were 'fine' and your thyroid functioning 'normally', there would be no obvious reason to test iodine. Low iodine levels would most likely be indicated by diminishing thyroid hormone levels. A fear that you might be low because you don't drink milk is unlikely to persuade them. If you eat a nutritionally sound diet and have no absorption issues, the lack of milk is unlikely to be putting you at risk - despite newspaper articles to the contrary. Iodised salt and bread, shellfish, seafish, cheese & yoghurts (you say you eat reduced, rather than no dairy) are all sources.
OK, but you should know that just because your doctors say your thyroid levels are fine, doesn't actually mean they are. Doctors are very bad at interpreting blood test results.
Endometriosis can be linked to autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's)
You need both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested
Low vitamin levels are especially common with Hashimoto's
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.
Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
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Sources of iodine ?
Iodine supplement
Multivitamins 
Lack of Iodine in diet affects IQ of young children
Iodine in yoghurt...and the possibility of it interfering with correct blood test result.
