If you have tried Iodine supplements for hypothyroidism, could you please share ...

[Jackie in NE]

....your experience/results?

 

I've been dealing with symptoms for years, and I'm tired of the Dr.'s telling me "everything is normal". Everything is NOT normal! I feel horrible.

 

Thanks for any insight, Jackie

[my2boysteacher]

I don't know, but I'll bump this for you. :001_smile:

[LaxMom]

As I understand it, that really only works if you're deficient, and can make the issue worse. (don't quote me on that, I could be remembering wrong)

 

I went through the same and found a doc that was willing to try supplementing me. I've felt like a human ever since.

[Mommyfaithe]

If you have hashimoto's iodine supplements make it worse.

 

For low thyroid...

 

Juice:

Cucumber, carrot, radishes, cranberries and apple with a dash of powdered kelp. This will help inflamed thyroid gland and boost thyroid function.

 

Avoid cruciferous veggies....cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower spinach unless it is cooked.

 

Exercise like crazy even if you don't feel like it.

 

Get rid of all grains especially wheat

 

Boost your protien

 

Stand on your head....or do fish pose yoga exercise....serious...this helps your thyroid function.

 

Cocoanut oil....

 

That is all I can think of now.....hope you feel better :grouphug:

[Katy]

It's made a HUGE difference for me.

 

If you have low thyroid because you have an autoimmune issue, iodine will make it worse.

 

If you have low thyroid because you have too much exposure to things like chlorine and foods that block iodine (soy, cruciferous veggies), and because you don't eat enough iodine itself, it helps a ton.

 

I opted not to do it with kelp because it would take too many pills and because I'd read some things about possible mercury contamination. I never decided if it were true or not, but I did decide I didn't want to risk it. I opted for Iodoral that I ordered through someone on Amazon. There are several strengths available.

 

I retested my thyroid after 90 days and I got the BEST numbers I've ever had. I have no more thyroid-type symptoms. I'm going to keep it up.

[linguistmama]

I took Iordoral for several months and it made a HUGE difference. I used to buy it on amazon. No Hashi's or autoimmune issues for me though, just hypothyroid.

[PeterPan]

I've taken kelp for years. Used to be on thyroid meds before that. No Hashimoto's, got that tested.

 

I'm not familiar with Iodoral, though it would be interesting to research. When you work on your thyroid, you're looking at both the Free T4 and the Free T3. The Free T3 is converted from T4 by the liver, so getting your T4 up doesn't *assure* your T3 will be normal. It's been years since we ran labs (did them right before I got pregnant with ds), but I definitely think that's a good idea.

[ZooRho]

If you feel bad then things aren't normal. What was your TSH number? And what about the other Numbers that go with it. T3 T4 and there are different ones as someone said.

 

If your dr won't listen to you say things are bad then find a new dr.

 

Also next time you do your blood test don't take your meds before hand.

 

I went in Feb to my dr I just was feeling bad, run down etc. My TSH was just a bit high. We upped my dosage a bit, and it is back in a better range.

[gardenmom5]

I have one friend who is taking 3x's the rda of iodine and is feeling better. the gal who worked on my hair today said her naturopath told her to take zinc and selenium and she's feeling better.

 

I haven't tried either, but once my rx is renewed, I'm going to try them. (I noticed improvement for several months after starting levothyroxin before it plateaued.)

[myfunnybunch]

Has your doctor run a full thryoid panel, or just a simple thyroid screening test? Some thyroid conditions are not caught by the simple test.

 

Have you seen an endocrinologist? This is really who you should be seeing if you haven't been. Ask your doctor for a referral.

 

Iodine really only helps if you are already iodine-deficient. Iodine deficiency is unusual in our culture.

[Jackie in NE]

Do you remember the dosage you used? Are you still using it? Or did things "normalize" and then you quit taking it?

[ktgrok]

When I took kelp (bladderwrack?) a long time ago, I lost weight, I don't remember much else. It was years ago. I do know that I had a client use it with her dogs, and their thyroid levels went back to normal. I was flabbergasted.

[Jackie in NE]

Yes, I did have my thyroid tested. My Dr. has always thought it was suspicious because my thyroid is enlarged. But the tests came back in the "normal" range, so he said I was fine. At the time, I hadn't done much research on it, so I let it go.

I have been on anti-depressants (on and off) for years, which I understand is a symptom of hypothyroidism. I continue to have many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, which I have attributed to "aging". I turn 50 in a couple weeks. But then I look at my dm, who I take after, and she is 85 and has all the energy in the world, and is very slim, etc. She never diets. I am extremely careful about what I eat.

Another interesting thing I've learned is that fluoride can block the absorption of Iodine. I have lived on ranches (well water) for most of my life. But for the last 4 years, I've lived in town, drinking fluoridated water. In that time, my hair has really thinned, and continues to fall out at an alarming rate. I've gained 30 lbs, despite diet and exercise, and my joints ache, etc. I have many symptoms. I spend summers on our ranch. By the end of the 4th week, my hair stops falling out, and I can get off of my anti-depressants. It's just hard to know if this is a fluoride/selenium issue (the ranch is in an area with high selenium in the soil, and selenium boosts iodine absorption), or if it is a less stress issue, since that is the time of year that homeschooling eases, and we all live together as a family (so I have the support of my dh). I can't wait to move back to the ranch for good, which we plan to do in the next 4 months. In the meantime, I think I'll try the Iodine, along with a Selenium supplement, and see if things improve. I'm so tired of feeling this bad.

I have not seen an endocrinologist. I don't have the money to see a specialist right now. :(

[Woodhaven]

Have you joined this yahoo group? http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/iodine/ There are many there who have delt with similar issues and have experience and advice about testing, results, and how to use iodine.

 

I strongly recomend this group!

 

Hope you find answers and feel better soon!!

[Jackie in NE]

Thanks Woodhaven. I wasn't aware of this group!

[KidsHappen]

Are you sure that you are not allergic to iodine? It is a common allergen and can cause severe anaphylactic shock. Some people that are allergic to iodine can have thyroid problems but this really needs to be governed but a knowledgable dr.

[zookeeper]

My dr kept saying the same thing to me - that all was fine. My numbers were technically within range but on the high side. Someone recommended that I call a compounding pharmacy and ask for the names of drs who prescribe armour thyroid and bioidentical hydrocortisone.

 

That's what I did and found a dr that I LOVE! She really listens to me and takes all my symptoms seriously no matter what the numbers say. I feel better than I've felt in over 10 years! And she's not a specialist, just a regular dr who works with womens' hormones and such.

[4kids4me]

For almost three years I have felt thyroid symptoms. My tsh was in the 6+ range and my T3 and T4 were *just* within normal. I felt like poop. Doctor said I was fine. I asked her to call and endo and that dr said I was fine.

 

In May of 2011 I started seeing a naturopath. She's put me on supplements. I felt a little better last summer, then back to normal.

 

In Feb. 2012 my TSH was 8.4. In April it was 7.44. In June it was 5.25. Last week it was 3.97!

 

The difference? Diet and exercise. The naturopath said she's NEVER seen such a significant change, and though she did up my supplements a bit, she said it wasn't enough to warrant such a change -- it was the diet and exercise.

 

Looking back, when I felt better last summer, I had started exercising and eating better then...then in the fall stopped.

 

I used to drag myself out of bed around 8am in the morning and didn't really feel awake until 5 or 6pm. I couldn't fall asleep before 10:30-11pm. Now I run and cycle with a group that meets at 5:30. I wake up at 4:45 and find myself waking up before then often, and feeling VERY refreshed, something that hasn't happened in a long time.

 

For eating I cut out gluten, sugar, and pop (most processed foods). I've been having one cheat meal a week. For exercise I'm running and cycling and want to add in strength training.

 

HTH! Good luck with your journey.

 

Oh, and to answer your original question, years ago I was put on Idoral and didn't find it helped. I'm taking other supplements now to restore my adrenal glands and my thyroid. We're going to start weening me off them soon!

[Jackie in NE]

I just love your story!. I, too, used to get up before my alarm went off at 4:30. I would get up and go for a 4 mile run. Now I can hardly get out of bed, and am not coherent or friendly until I've had 1/2 a pot of coffee. I won't go through the list of symptoms, but many of them sound like yours.

I'm wondering if your supplements from the naturopath were expensive? I took my dd to one here, and her minerals were out of balance, and the supplements cost over $200/6 weeks. I can't afford that. I'm hoping the Idoral will help. If not, I'm not sure where I'll go next. It's hard for me to exercise when all my joints hurt. I'm getting about 4-5 days/week in right now. Just running and strength training. But it's so painful, I need to find something to get rid of the joint pain in order for that to be a long-term part of my life, kwim?

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm so glad you found what worked for you!!

[Jackie in NE]

My dr kept saying the same thing to me - that all was fine. My numbers were technically within range but on the high side. Someone recommended that I call a compounding pharmacy and ask for the names of drs who prescribe armour thyroid and bioidentical hydrocortisone.

 

That's what I did and found a dr that I LOVE! She really listens to me and takes all my symptoms seriously no matter what the numbers say. I feel better than I've felt in over 10 years! And she's not a specialist, just a regular dr who works with womens' hormones and such.

 

That is really amazing. You are fortunate to have found such a great Dr.! I've never heard of armour thyroid or bioidentical hydrocortisone. What were your symptoms, if you don't mind me asking?

[4kids4me]

Unfortunately the supplements do add up. I'm taking 4 specifically for adrenal and thyroid support. But you know, if you can deal somehow with the joint pain, and if my experience can be translated to others with thyroid issues, exercise and diet are HUGE contributing factors!!! The naturopath said that the research just isn't there because it's so hard to get thyroid patients to commit to a program. We both know how true that is! Between being exhausted all the time, not being able to fall asleep, having low-level depression, aches (hey, just thought, try magnesium for that...I just started), etc, how does one start?

 

For me, it really helped that I have a group of people I can depend on to be exercising in the morning. We meet at a coffee shop in town and often we stay after and talk. Just getting out and having some adult time, consistently, while exercising, has really helped.

 

If you want more info, feel free to PM me. I really hope you find answers and help. It's MISERABLE. And you know what? I had had minor surgery in April and in May I saw my most amazing gyn for follow-up and I was telling him about all my symptoms and how miserable I was. He said I definitely needed to see an endo. He said the waiting list for the one out of his hospital was way too long and I should see my original gyn (I was referred from one to another) because I could get into an endo faster. So I went back to original gyn and he wasn't so sure. He decided to do bloodwork but by then I had been making enough changes that my TSH was JUST within normal. So NO referral. I was a little bummed but I trusted God really knew what He was doing...and I realize now that if I HAD gone to an endo and had been put on drugs, then I would never have known that diet and exercise were enough to make changes, kwim?

 

Ok, enough blathering. Good luck!!!! :grouphug:

[zookeeper]

That is really amazing. You are fortunate to have found such a great Dr.! I've never heard of armour thyroid or bioidentical hydrocortisone. What were your symptoms, if you don't mind me asking?

 

 

Severe fatigue. The only good period of the day was from about 10am to 2pm. Hair loss and thinning eyebrows. Joint pain. Insomnia. Irritability. Dry skin. Those were the big ones. It's been a bit so it's getting hard to remember. Lol! Thankfully, I've never had a weight problem but that was actually another reason my dr wouldn't believe it was thyroid related. He said I would be overweight if I was hypothyroid.

 

Armour is a nonsynthetic thyroid compound. It's made with dessicated pig thyroid which is the one that matches human thyroid the closest, with approximately the same balance of T1, T2,T3 &T4. Bioidentical hydrocortisone is taken for adrenal support.

[celticmom]

I should try some of the suggestions here. I have not had my thyroid tested but I have some of the symptoms mentioned here.

Edited August 16, 2012 by celticmom
to correct a spelling error