Safe to Take Iodine?

[MrMacast]

Hi all,

I've had thyroid tests which all came back as normal except I had what appears to be elevated FT4 levels, 3 endocrinologists have reassured me that I do not have hyperthyroidism. They emphasized the importance of considering all test results together. I'm underweight, struggling to gain weight, and get anxiety, but I trust the experts' assessment and I'm now trying to focus on my overall health. I'm considering taking a high-quality multivitamin but it does contain iodine; would this have any negative effect given my borderline elevated FT4 levels? I rarely consume high-iodine foods.

My full thyroid results:

- TSH: 1.58 mlU/L (Normal range between 1 and 2.5).

- FT4: 24.4 pmol/L (Normal range between 12 and 22).

- FT3: 6.2 pmol/L (Normal range between 3.1 and 6.8).

- TPOAb): 8.6 klU/L (Normal range between 0 and 34).

- T4: 151 nmol/L (Normal range between 66 and 181).

- TgAB: 12.2 kU/L (Normal range between 0 and 115).

[greygoose]

There is no such thing as a 'high quality' multi-vit. There are very expensive multi-vits but that doesn't mean the quality is present.

Taking a whole bunch of supplements all in one go like that is always a very bad idea, no matter how much you pay for it, for quite a few reasons:

- things you don't need: like iodine, calcium, iron - maybe... It's never a good idea to take things you don't need, more is never better. Which is why we recommend testing the basics first and supplementing according to results (we can help with that). The basics are:

vit D

vit B12

folate

ferritin/iron

Zinc and copper if you can.

- ingredients are rarely of the best quality: cyanocobalamin instead of methylcobalamin (B12); folic acid instead of methylfolate, magnesium oxide rather than one of the good, useful, easily absorbed forms of magnesium - the name but a few.

- the amounts of each ingredient in the pill is not enough to treat a true deficiency, and taking two pills would give you too much of some things...

- if it contains iron, it will block the absorption of all the vitamins.

- if it contains calcium the iron and the calcium will bind together and you won't absorb either...

I could go on but I think you get the drift.

Your endo is right, it would seem that you don't have Graves', but Hashi's is still a possibility. One negative blood test does not completely rule it out.

However, I would be questioning the pituitary because that TSH is high considering the level of your Frees. It would appear to be over-stimulating your thyroid. I don't suppose they bothered to test your TRAB/TSI Graves' antibodies? Might be interesting. But would also be interesting to investigate the pituitary. Because it's not a good idea to leave you with that high FT4 indefinitely.

Or, maybe interferrance with the blood test? Anti-TSH antibodies? Which would give you a false high TSH. Is this your first thyroid blood test?

Iodine, in excess, is anti-thyroid, and used to be used to treat Graves' before the invention of anti-thyroid drugs. However, I would not suggest you take it because that would have it's own dangers. But, maybe increase high-iodine foods?

But, whatever course of action you decide to persue, taking a multi-vit would not be the right one.

[MrMacast in reply to greygoose]

Many thanks for your reply. I've had regular blood tests for thyroid and these results have been consistent. All 3 of the endocrinologists I've seen have told me it's "not consistent with a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism as this is easy to diagnose". They've all told me my results are "normal" and discharged me back to my GP. I've had my pituitary checked too and that came back normal. Here's a full list of tests I've had done and were told "no action needed".

Iron, bone profile, cholesterol, coeliac screen, cortisol, c-reactive protein, creatinine, CRP (high sensitivity), folate, follicle stimulating hormone, full blood count, HbA1c, IGF-1, LFT, luteinizing hormone, plasma glucose, renal profile, SHBG, stool samples, T endo, testosterone, Us and Es, vitamin b12, and vitamin D.

[greygoose in reply to MrMacast]

No point in giving me a list of all the tests you've had without giving the results and ranges. I won't know about all of them, but somebody on here will. Apart from IGF1, I can't see anything that relates to pituitary.

So, you've had regulare blood test, with consistant results, over what period of time? Were they all done in the same lab? Were they all done at the same time of day? What time?

Graves' is easy to diagnose if you do the right tests but I can't see any sign of Graves' antibodies being tested.

[108Optimist]

Hello!In short, noone can give you a definite answer. But ...

T4 has four molecules of iodine in it and T3 has three molecules of iodine.

Your body is making plentiful hormone so it appears you do not currently have a iodine deficiency. Iodine is in sea food, fortified foods and some added salts. Etc.

The symptoms of anxiety and inability to gain weight are symptoms you experience when hyperthyroid. It could be that the levels you have are making the uncomfortable symptoms. But you will not get any assistance from clinicians because they treat to the guidance, not to symptoms. And their only options to help you reduce T4/T3 are not worth the risks, in their opinion.

The antibodies are there but not hugely raised. You could have the edges of an autoimmune condition but it's not fully blown at this time. Keep an eye on it by retesting every six months, or more if symptoms increase.

See if you can find any science on things that reduce T4 levels. I don't know any because I'm always focussed on increasing them.

When I medicate low thyroid and achieve T3 T4 levels like yours, I feel much better some ways, but way too stimulated, aggravated sometimes, messes with sleep, and manages to keep weight down, and constipation. So, you don't have to be above top range to feel symptomatic.

As always, be sensible with food, hydration, caffeine, exercise, Sleep hygiene, stress management, and healthy relationships. It all helps.

Hope you do well!