Good evening. I have been directed to this site from a Facebook group, due to a question I posed regarding some recent blood results.
I have earlier this week completed a range of bloods via Medicheck, to determine some key health markers. I had a call yesterday evening from a Dr reviewing the results expressing concern over the thyroid results, and suggesting I should visit my GP as soon as possible.
I do have the full results, but the thyroid ones of note are:
Thyroid stimulating hormone - <0.0005mIU/L
Free T3 - 9.9pmol/L
Free T4 - 34pmol/L
Some important points to note:
1) In terms of my health, I do feel very well. The test was purely out of interest, not on the back of any unusual symptoms. I do not take any medication whatsoever.
2) Along with other vitamin and mineral supplementation, I have for the past 4/5 years taken 2 drops of 15% Lugols Iodine daily in water.
Whilst waiting to see what the GP has to say, I thought it would be worth seeing what others think with regards to these results. I'm not expecting any formal guidance as such, just others experiences with regards to these particular markers, and whether it has been cause for concern.
E.g. is taking the Iodine likely to be causing these results? Particularly as I did have the Iodine the morning of the blood draw (draw at 2pm - fasted all morning).
E.g. although figures are considered 'high' and 'out of range', are they actually ok?
I would also be interested in hearing about any Dr that specialise in this area, or generally natural health orientated.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
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AdamW85
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You say Along with other vitamin and mineral supplementation. Suggest you should consider biotin:
helvella - Biotin supplementation and testing
A short article about how and why biotin can affect blood tests. Includes information about how to avoid any problems and how much biotin some foods contain.
The numbers, if they reflect reality, are concerning. High thyroid hormone levels can be dangerous. And those numbers would usually indicate a level of hyperthyroidism. And could suggest Graves disease, a toxic multinodular goitre, or some other issue.
However, the topic I've avoided so far, the iodine could indeed be a major contributor. Whilst iodine is essential for your thyroid to produce thyroid hormone, an excess can have many consequences. And they are not always easy to understand.
One 15% Lugol's solution I found says each drop contains 16095 micrograms of iodine. Which is 107.3 times the 'official' recommended intake. Two drops, of course, would double that.
While I am happy to accept that 150 micrograms is arguably too low, I cannot believe it is safe to consume 32190 micrograms a day.
The Japanese are often held up as the largest consumers of iodine. Last I read, an assessment of the real intake in Japan came to the conclusion that the average is around 3000 micrograms. That is, less than a tenth of what you have been taking.
And the Japanese have higher rates of some thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto's than do we.
The direct and immediate effect of high iodine intake on thyroid hormone levels will vary considerably from one person to another. But I think you have to look at where you are and consider what you want to do.
Incidentally, we have a number of members who have suffered from things like taking amiodarone - a medicine which contains a lot of iodine. And it can take several months to really start to recover.
If you are only getting the 1000iu Vit D then 10mcg of K2 is adequate, magnesium helps with the uptake of Vit D.... K2 helps to send the calcium to teeth and bones etc rather than clogging up arteries
Your Vit D level isn't too bad aiming for 100-150nmol/L
Edit... just re-read you are taking 5g of the mix and contents are listed per g so you are taking just from this 1500mcg iodine also 30mg Zinc along with 246mg assuming you take one of the zinc blend?
Zinc and copper need to be balanced as one being high will lower the other so you really need to test
The K2 also contains freeze dried kale which being a goitrogen may inhibit uptake of iodine, which in your case is no bad thing but something to be aware of I've no idea how potent 300mg of it would be compared to fresh kale but uncooked is certainly more of an issue
These results show you have Hyperthyroidism and really do need to get it looked into, worth presenting these results to your GP who will run more tests.... the fact you have been taking iodine, which could be the cause, means you really need to stop taking the drops.... why were you taking them?
Do you have thyroid antibodies results?
Yes, your levels are certainly high enough to cause concern for your heart and bone health and need lowering
Thanks for reply. See results below for antibodies. I do not understand the thyroglobulin antibody. It suggest a high marker in this (which mine is showing) should result in under-producing thyroid hormones. Mine are also showing high?
I was taking the Iodine on the back of reading multiple books and listening to multiple sources about the lack of Iodine in the western diet and soil, and the importance Iodine has in terms of our overall health.
These raised levels show that your thyroid is under attack caused by autoimmune reaction which means the body attacks itself, these could mean Hashimoto's which can cause high and low thyroid levels or it could also mean Graves which results in high levels, your GP will run TRAb antibodies test and possibly start to treat you or refer you to an Endocrinologist
You are taking a huge amount of iodine which could well have triggered the over production of thyroid hormones whether it triggered the autoimmune reaction I couldn't say as it's hard to know what triggers these thinks, it can be stress, trauma, child birth maybe an accident or the body getting confused by gluten or dairy 🤷♀️
Do you have a history of thyroid issues in the family?
I was aware the dose of Iodine was higher than the national recommended. But in a number of resources I have read, two drops of 15% is actually considered fine.
Regarding Thyroid issue in family, I do believe that my mother has had problems in the past. I will be speaking with her today to fully understand her diagnosis and will report back.
There do seem to be opposing view on iodine but I think the outcome very much varies from person to person, it is hard to know who it right when testing isn't reliable 🤷♀️
I've no idea how useful the RDA is but they do seem to be able to understand how much is needed for thyroid health.
Your mother might well be able to shine a light, it will be interesting to see
Yes, as with anything in life there is not one rule for all.
Mother had a multi modular goitre in the front of her neck. She had 95% of her thyroid removed in 1983, the bit that was left stopped working in 1988 and was subsequently put on levothyroxine.
So it could mean she had a large chunk removed due to them thinking there might be cancerous cells at work or just because it may have been restricting her swallowing etc. Did she mention if it made her Hyper? If she managed for 5 years with just 5% it must have been putting out a reasonable amount of hormone ( or she had 5 miserable years) as I think they say that by the time Dr's realize people have a thyroid problem it is 90% destroyed hence becoming Hypo
There is a genetic link with multi nodular goitres though often they cause no problems, if one of the nodules turns 'hot' then it can pump out more hormone than is required hence Hyper symptoms
Worth mentioning to your Dr who could organise a scan
What is your resting heart rate? 60 - 100 considered 'normal' then it rather depends on age and fitness level... any fine hand tremor? Easier to test by placing a sheet of paper over your hand
I'm just in the process of testing HR. Have been wearing a Garmin since yesterday afternoon. Intentionally not checking until this evening so I can get a 'normal' 24hr period, including sleep.
Ref hand tremors, i'd say i've never noticed. However just held my hand out with a piece of paper on it (suspended, not resting on table top) and the paper does shake a small amount.
This is interesting though, as my partner and child have just done the same test, and its the same. And a number of years back (around 5) my father was worried about hand shakes and number of us in the room held our hands out and pretty much all had the same. Although his arguably a bit worse, but certainly not shaking considerably.
So i've been wearing the Garmin watch since mid afternoon Sunday. I've not looked at the watch at all to see HR until just now. Graphs attached.
Now the accuracy of the Garmin is questionable, as I have looked into this in the past when training seriously for sport. But, it gives a good indication and is relatively accurate.
Worth mentioning I am up and down stairs all day letting the dog out, making cups of tea, going to speak to my partner etc etc. Not been to gym this week yet, but have been doing some exercises at home. So it is jumping a lot from 'resting' throughout the day.
Overnight is pretty stable for the 2 nights I have worn it.
To me the resting HR seem fine. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts.
So low end of range, it does make me wonder with the limitations of blood tests which show what is circulating in the blood but are of no benefit when what we all really want to know is how much gets through to our cells
But I'm assuming Graves as with Hypo some people's HR reacts in the opposite way expected as in some Graves people suffer from bradycardia
Personally (I'm Hash) being under or over replaced will lower my RHR
From my experience from sport, i'd say it's fairly common to be on the lower end of the range. Some of my peers have incredibly low, but nothing to do with Thyroid.
And no one answer fits all, which makes it all so complicated!
Are you pretty fit? Would you expect your HR to be lower as maybe this is raised for you? Have you noticed anything that suggests your metabolism has sped up?
Reasonably fit, but certainly not as fit as I was in my 20's.
I've never been one to focus on resting HR too much, even when training for sport at a reasonable level.
Around 60 is what I was expecting/hoping for. So I was pleased to see that. Not that it necessarily means much.
Not noticed anything ref metabolism. I have lost weight, but intentionally as I reduced my heavy weight training down 18months ago, and swithed for 4/5 meals a day to 2. Eating only lunch and dinner. But with breakfast added in with lunch and the small meal I used to have before bed now with dinner as a 'desert'. But I am eating less, and not been heavy weight training, and so my weight will drop. Its a much more 'normal' weight now though I would say. Whereas before I was carrying a bit more muscle mass with it.
Hi AdamJust to give a different view/ experience of taking lugols iodine. This is not advice just my experience. I have Ords disease which is Hashimotos without the goiter, so autoimmune. I have been successfully privately medicated for 12 years. I am an athlete so really well in myself. I have been taking a similar dose of lugols to you for two years and have not seen any difference in my thyroid blood tests and I feel fine. I take it because the whole body needs iodine, not just the thyroid. I do not take the iodine before my test. This is done fasted usually at 7 am, which is recommended. I also just eat meat and eggs, which also has not changed my thyroid blood results. I am not disputing the other advice given as we're all different, but just felt I needed to give you my experience.
Useful thank you, I'm thinking the main difference is you are already taking thyroid hormones (which contain iodine) which will have in effect shut down your thyroid production and leave you reliant on the replacement and not at risk of over stimulating production?
I'm certainly no iodine expert but other than the thyroid gland it seems the body needs very little of it and anyone on thyroid hormones will be more than adequately covered?
Thank you, I appreciate your reply. And as you say, everyone is different. It is good to hear your feedback on a similar does.
Are you happy to say if you had any symptoms? Currently I have none.
My decision to take higher than normal does was on the back of reading and listening to many sources that say we do not get enough in our diet, and that it is incredibly important for the whole body.
Out of interest would you be happy to recommend your Dr? I have actually just posted a new thread requesting some recommendations of specialists in this area. I do also have BUPA. Your private Dr may not be accesible though, so appreciate if you cannot recommend.
HiI, like you, have read and followed doctors who prescribe iodine to protect against cancer. I started on a low dose and increased it when it didnt alter my thyroid bloods. I'll message you the thyroid specialist who Im registered with.
HiNo I'd had a thyroid issue for 10 years before starting on Lugols Iodine. So taking Lugols is nothing to do with my thyroid. It's just for general health. I've private messaged you with my drs details as we're not allowed to post that info on here.
As you've found the topic of iodine always generates interesting replies 😊
When I was first seen by an NHS endo even though I had an iodine deficiency they said not to supplement as it would complicate matters. I was eventually prescribed Levothyoxine after partial thyroidectomy and so rely on that for its iodine content. I haven't retested yet.
I realise you're not on any treatment for your thyroid but as others have said you really need to take these test results to your gp even though you state feeling well.
The advice on here is to go to GP. I would say though if they want to treat you for hyperthyroidism, come back here for some more advice. You say you’re feeling well and it would be too easy for a doctor to screw that up! It might be dropping the iodine will reset your system.
Hi Adam, You say you have no symptoms but just thinking it might be worth you taking your pulse. It might be racing with those levels of hormones and will be an indication of the need for medical intervention. You also might find your temp is high.
I have borrowed a garmin watch from my father so have been wearing it this afternoon. Will wear overnight and during day tomorrow and see what the results show.
So i've been wearing the Garmin watch since mid afternoon Sunday. I've not looked at the watch at all to see HR until just now. Graphs attached.
Now the accuracy of the Garmin is questionable, as I have looked into this in the past when training seriously for sport. But, it gives a good indication and is relatively accurate.
Worth mentioning I am up and down stairs all day letting the dog out, making cups of tea, going to speak to my partner etc etc. Not been to gym this week yet, but have been doing some exercises at home. So it is jumping a lot from 'resting' throughout the day.
Overnight is pretty stable for the 2 nights I have worn it.
To me the resting HR seem fine. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts.
Do you do a lot of exercise. Your resting heart beat suggests you are fit. It shouldnt go up to 131bpm unless you are doing cardio exercise at the time.
Not as much exercise as I used to, but yes, still consider my self fit.
The rises shown are probably from home exercising, or what is shown more frequently, going up and down stairs almost running. If I walk anywhere I tend to walk very fast, and I don't just gently walk down the stairs or back up if i've gone downstairs, i'll almost run.
Factor in multiple times a day playing rough with the dog. That certainly raises the heart beat above resting.
It is very hard to say of course. But I personally do not feel the HR is raised given my daily activity, even when not in the gym, is 'active'
I would say that if this is a normal level of activity for you, your heart beat would not raise so much as you are used to the exercise. If you ran up and down the stairs five times in a go perhaps and didnt do it every day. Because you are quite fit it should take a lot to get your heart rate up. Worth discussing with GP.
Will certainly discuss. And will also continue to monitor.
Although from my experience even back when training much harder for competitive sport, HR does still rise. Its more the ability to recover that is a better measure of fitness.
At the top end level it also has an effect. By 131bpm is well off top level/max HR.
Hi Adam I have actually just replied to your post on Dr Myhill’s page. Probably doesn’t add much more than people have said on here. I wish you good luck seeking help.
If you’re looking for a private endocrinologist, Thyroid UK used to send a list if you emailed them but I’m not sure they still do this?
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