Question regarding Iodine

[Spangle15]

Hi

I am really confused about iodine and whether it is ok to take or not.

Partial thyroidectomy 28 years ago, now have hashimotos (raised antibodies). Take thyroxine and ERFA.

I have low blood calcium, and parathyroid issues, so I have no choice but to take calcium. I have been taking plant based calcium from seaweed because I heard it is better for you. But I am now concerned about the iodine.

I take 2 tablets daily which equates to 0.0088350mg of iodine. Does anyone know if it is ok to be taking them?

Many thanks

[RedApple Administrator]

Spangle15, Iodine is a frequently discussed topic here. The most recent conversation is this one healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

You might find it helpful to read the contributions whilst waiting for others to answer your post 😊

[Spangle15 in reply to RedApple]

Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Spangle15

The recommended daily intake of iodine is 150mcg, this can be obtained from a normal diet via milk, yogurt, cod, haddock, scampi, etc.

Your amount of 0.0088350mg of iodine in your calcium supplement is equivalent to 8.835mcg so it doesn't seem to be a source of concern when compared to the daily recommended amount.

If you want to be absolutely sure about your iodine level you could do a non-loading iodine test with Genova Diagnostics which measures existing levels. Details here:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Click on Read the list of available tests which links to the pdf showing all their tests, on page 3 you will find the Urine Iodine Test, order code END25.

[Spangle15 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie.

[greygoose]

How much thyroxine and Erfa are you taking? Because 100 mcg T4 will give you approx 65 mcg iodine, and one grain of Erfa approx 29 mcg iodine, all of which is recycled in the body.

Excess iodine is not a good thing. It can even lead to thyroid cancer. Also, it is anti-thyroid, so could make your hypo worse if you rely on your thyroid for some of your hormone. Iodine used to be used to treat Graves' before anti-thyroid drugs were invented.

How is your vit D level?

[Spangle15 in reply to greygoose]

I take exactly that, 100 mcg thyroxine and one grain of ERFA split between 2 doses.

Vitamin D is good, it’s 116 I can’t remember bottom of range but top is 120.

[greygoose in reply to Spangle15]

So, you'll be getting almost 100 mcg iodine just from that. The rest will easily be made up by your diet. And this at a time when your thyroid isn't making thyroid hormone anymore so needs less iodine, not more. The iodine you will be getting from your calcium supplement is excess, and that is not good.

[Spangle15 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks Greygoose, I will try and find an alternative supplement.

[greygoose in reply to Spangle15]

You're welcome.

[LuckyKat]

It's about having sufficient iodine in your system, not the daily dose - if you are deficient you supplement until you reach sufficiency, just like with low levels of other essentials such as vitamin D. When you have reached sufficiency your maintenance dose will be found in dietary sources.

[Spangle15 in reply to LuckyKat]

Thank you.