Seaweed

[twizzle303]

Hi folks. I am going to a local seaweed festival in May where ther are demonstrating the many uses for seaweed as well as recipes, tinctures etcHow good or bad would/might this be for my hashimotos?

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

It’s gutting isn’t it, I used to snack on dried seaweed, have kombu in miso, love it but my understanding is the iodine content is not good for our Hashi thyroids. I’ll be honest, I don’t know the actual scientific reason other than it involves the deodinase process and a molecule drops off leaving more iodine in the system or something. (memory and attention span of a gnat). I’m sure someone who didn’t sleep through A level Biology will be along shortly 🦋🌱🦋

[twizzle303 in reply to Regenallotment]

Thank you 🥺

[radd]

twizzle303

Thyroid cells absorb iodine which combine with tyrosine to make thyroid hormones but it has a narrow range, and too little or too much are both detrimental to thyroid health. 

An excess may be over-range amounts or in relation to selenium which has to be balanced to neutralise free radicals created by the hydrogen peroxide from the processing of iodine. Oxidative damage causes inflammation and convergence of WBC’s that results in autoimmune antibodies. 

As seaweed is so richly dense with iodine I myself would not risk trying any.

[twizzle303 in reply to radd]

Thank you 😊

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

my new technique for delicious things I shouldn’t be eating is to take a really deep sniff/inhale and imagine the taste.

A psychology teacher friend started doing this when she was dieting. She’d imagine the taste and texture of the biscuits, imagine the sugar rush, and imagine the craving for more, by the time she’d done that she didn’t want one!

It works for me with cheese and creamy puddings.

🦋🤗

[Yostie]

I add dried ground seaweed flakes to my Celtic salt and use it daily. I keep various types of seaweed flakes in little glass jars by my hob and add to curries, soups, etc, etc. I've been on T3 only since 2012. I see iodine as one of my essential nutrients, making sure I take all nutrients in as natural a form, preferably food, as possible.

There is much information on iodine storage in breast tissue - Thyroid Patient Advocacy (TPA) had a presentation at one of their conferences on this.

Dr P advised taking iodine (iodine test showed 40% saturation) when I consulted him back nearly 15-20 years ago. I am well aware many do not take additional iodine and would advise against it, it's a choice that has to be based on personal research. Enjoy the Seaweed festival!

[twizzle303 in reply to Yostie]

Thank you. do/have used seaweed many times without much thought until this event popped onto my radar.

[dtate2016]

I was able to reverse Hashimotos / attain remission / let me not go so far as say “cure” (but it feels that way!) by reducing iodine.

January 2023 was my 3 year anniversary of being free of pharmaceutical thyroid replacement hormone. I had suffered from Hashimotos for more than 30 years. At one point I was on 100 mg of Levo, at another time 3 grains of Armour.

Having a genetic predisposition towards poor elimination of toxins was a big clue to discovering relief (MTHFR polymorphism). Living in the the US where iodized salt is on almost everyone’s dinner table was another. For me, when excess iodine was not eliminated, my thyroid began to suffer. I have since learned that prenatal vitamins had more iodine in them in the 70’s (with my one and only). I do believe that was where the toxicity first began. Hashimotos soon followed, as I became a working mother, utilizing many processed foods / fast foods wearing both hats. What a roller coaster! I was constantly having to change dosage of medicines (now I know) as my body valiantly tried to keep the massive overabundance of iodine in check.

Removing iodized salt was the biggest way iodine was reduced. (And yes all of you in the UK I understand you don’t have iodized salt on your table yes yes yes). There are all kinds of food that are greater in iodine those are also greatly eliminated or reduced. (Dairy, all things from the sea, anything red, and for me here in the US commercial bread - they use iodine many times as dough conditioners, egg yolks - all high in iodine). I don’t have a gluten problem after all!

I always offer this disclaimer for those naysayers who don’t believe my story: eliminating iodine is neither possible nor desirable. Twizzle303 stated most succinctly how it is but yes we have to have iodine for our thyroid. And you may possibly be more adept at eliminating any excess iodine that you and ingest. For me the experiment in reducing iodine worked beautifully. I know immediately when I have too much iodine because I do go from time to time and eat the things I know I shouldn’t - things I enjoy yes like dairy. I suffer a few days for doing it. If you decide to experiment with a seaweed be ready to make your own judgment as to whether you feel better or not. You will know.

Wishing you well.

[twizzle303 in reply to dtate2016]

Thank you, so pleased you are well and know your triggers.