Looking for some advice. Trying to conceive and GP conducted thyroid test (no fertility issues known just part of pre conception tests) my tsh is 2.4 and T4 is 13.
I have been taking an iodine supplement of organic seaweed capsule for a few months now which is 360ug daily. I am not vegan or veggie but I don't drink cows milk.
Could this be negatively affecting my thyroid? I had no idea they could even be linked until I started googling! All advice appreciated.
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Bristolgal8
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They most certainly could! Excess iodine is anti-thyroid, and used to be used to treat hyperthyroidism before anti-thyroid drugs were invented. The recommended intake of iodine daily is 140 mcg. So, you're way over the top.
Recommend you stop immediately and wait 2-3 months before retesting FULL thyroid and vitamins
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 with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)
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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.
Thanks everyone... Will wait a few months and do a re test privately. I don't have any symptoms associated with hypothyroidism etc (I don't 🤔) so hopefully it is 2.4 due to the iodine supplements which on looking now seem v strong.
Lesson learned. Hopefully no damage has been done.
Any woman wanting to conceive should try to get vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, and ferritin (iron stores) tested by their GP.
To find out why, search the web for things like :
Effect of low ferritin on fertility
Effect of low ferritin during pregnancy on the mother
Effect of low ferritin during pregnancy on offspring
or try and think of some more concise wording than I have.
Repeat this for each of the basic vitamins and minerals.
Once you have results and reference ranges you should post them in a new thread and ask for feedback. We can then tell you about supplements and doses that would help you to improve your nutrition status.
Even if your GP does test these, assuming they are in range (which is definitely NOT the same as being optimal) you will probably have to pay privately to get them retested.
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