Iodine test necessary?

[Ad78]

Hi there!

Is it necessary to test iodine levels? I want to order thyroid tests and I would like to know if iodine tests are useful or necessary?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ad78

In the UK iodine deficiency is uncommon, we get iodine from basic food like milk, yogurt, white fish, etc. If we take Levothyroxine we get iodine from that (it is not an added ingredient). So it's quite easy to get the recommended daily intake of 150mcg iodine from those sources.

Testing iodine is recommended if you are considering supplementing with iodine. You shouldn't take it if you're not iodine deficient. If you do test it should be the non-loading test.

[Ad78 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I don’t eat any of those foods because I have multiple food sensitivities. Cannot tolerate sea weed either. I am not on levothyroxine yet. I want to test thyroid again now so I know if to get on levo

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Ad78]

In that case, if you are worried that you might be iodine deficient, Google "iodine deficiency symptoms" and if you think you need to test then do the non-loading test with Genova Diagnostics through ThyroidUK. Test code is END25 (click on the link to the pdf from the link below) and how to order and receive results explained here:

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

[Ad78 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie. Appreciate the guidance

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Or restrictive diet may cause low nutrient levels

See that you previously had negative thyroid antibodies test

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and 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

Come back with new post once you get results

[Ad78 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I was going to order all of that with Medichecks. Fed up with the NHS telling me my levels are okay when I feel rubbish all the time.

Just remembered to add that I have multiple cysts on my thyroid: NHS Scan and I have been told that they are harmless

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ad78]

So that suggests it’s probably Hashimoto’s

Are you on gluten free diet?

Dairy or Lactose free?

Both are extremely common food intolerances with Hashimoto’s

[Ad78 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I am gluten, dairy and lactose free. Are you thinking Hashimotos because of the cysts or the sensitivities?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ad78]

Both ...

[Ad78 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you