Looking for any success stories using Bladderwrack...
2.5 Years ago I had half my thyroid removed, despite having all the symptoms of Hypo and serious weight gain (with eating the least I have in my life) the docs won't help as I'm ' in range' I've spent a fortune on medichecks tests etc.
I have started taking Bladderwrack to see if that helps, I'm desperate to lose weight so will try anything. I've been on it 3 weeks and lost 1lb, which due to my other health issues is more than likely due to fluctuation in water retention. But I do feel my energy levels have improved a little. So anyway wondering if anyone has any success stories, any idea on if it works how long it takes etc?
Thanks
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Adele-84
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What exactly are you expecting bladderwrack to do? It has a very high iodine content. And, although people say that iodine is necessary for the thyroid to work correctly, that is not strictly true. Iodine is one of the ingredients of thyroid hormone. But, increase one ingredient isn't going to result in more hormone. I expect your half thyroid is working flat out as it is, it can't make more just because you put in more iodine.
It's true that iodine can stimulate the thyroid in the beginning, but in the long-term, excess iodine is anti-thyroid - used to be used to treat hyperthyroidism. So, you'll end up making less hormone, not more. And, excess iodine can cause other problems, like triggering Hashi's. And, in fact, with only half a thyroid, you need less iodine, not more. So, taking bladderwrack is really not a good idea.
He goes by the theory that all Thyroid issues are caused by EBV. According to his book Bladderwrack, iodine acts as an antiseptic so the viral cells of EBV will die off enhancing the thyroid function. There fore eliminating hypo symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue etc. To be honest at this stage I'm so desperate il try anything! So I've given it a go, although so far achieved very little !
Well, I've been desperate in the past, but I don't think even I would go for that! What a load of drivel.
I saw the word "Bladderwrack" and thought "Oh no!" Unless a blood test shows you are iodine deficient (rare in the UK) you are likely to be doing more harm than good. I only discovered that by being on this forum. Any kind of seaweed has high iodine content.
There are over 10,000 different types of seaweed and their iodine content varies between the sub groups and also between sources - I think in general, Asian seaweed has higher iodine levels. There was an Australian study a few years ago that confirmed iodine levels in seaweed varied between red and brown, and were generally higher in brown.
It also showed that concentrations in wakame and nori seaweed were generally low.
In this area we have laver bread. I think it's made from the green laver seaweed not the red, though the prepared stuff looks black or very dark green. No idea if the iron content though. Quite tasty but I don't touch it now just in case.
Adele-84, Are you saying that you've had a partial thyroidectomy, but your doctor won't give you any thyroid hormone replacement? A terrible situation to be in If you've got any blood tests, make a new post to share them and members will advise you.
It's possible you just need to change doctors and find one who will treat you properly.
Well thanks everyone, was hoping to hear something positive about it, but how wrong could I be !
Ive posted blood results on here a few times, but will never make any difference as I cannot get any medication on the NHS as I'm 'in range' according to them. I fought to get reffered to an endocrinologist which after months of trying the GP did eventually, only to get a letter to say they have refused to see me as I'm 'in range'
Having half a Thyroid has ruined my life, so I'm just trying to find anyway possible at 35 years old to try and improve that!
Well, I would have thought, with only having half of a thyroid, you would have been on some thyroid hormone support.
A fully functioning working thyroid would be supporting you, on a daily with basis with approximately 100 T4 + 10 T3.
I'm not suggesting simple division, but would have thought that seeing as you have been down regulated to some degree you would need some T4 - Levothyroxine and maybe T3.
I would also think that your whole body, including your half thyroid are trying to compensate for this part loss and this in itself, puts unnecessary strain and pressure on other glands and organs.
Obviously, without the relevant blood tests, including vitamins and minerals it's just an assumption on my part.
Give the results you did post a year ago I think you would benefit from some medication - your numbers were not optimal. If the NHS won’t help you I’d help yourself - you could get the list of recommended GPs/endos from ThyroidUK to try and see one of those, or another option is to self medicate. You are too young to waste so much of your life feeling the punishment of hypothyroidism.
Thank you, id love to self medicate but I'm waiting on some pretty intense surgery and I don't want to he exposed. After my recovery I plan to self medicate, NHS not even vaguely interested. According to my GP weight watchers is the answer ......
Not if your thyroid hormones are not optimised - dieting is a total waste of time and I bet the GP would not be paying for your WW bill. They are clueless not even the most basic understanding of what the thyroid does and the consequences of inadequate function. Sorry to hear about your op but after that I’d definitely see if it helps, you probably only need a smallish dose to greatly improve matters. Levothyroxine did not suit me (other family members find it very effective) so I use NDT and feel very well on it. My thyroid wasted away so I probably have no function at all. I am impressed by the half you have left.
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If you've got any blood tests, make a new post to share them and members will advise you. 
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