Hypo caused by iodine transport defect?

[ojbjmom]

Hey, everyone.  I am new to this community, and diagnosed two weeks ago as hypothyroid based on symptoms (50 yr old female with weight gain, estrogen dominance resulting in abnormal periods, enlarged thyroid, etc.) and blood levels.  TSH was 3.6, T4 0.86, and free T3 2.9.  I was placed on 30 mg/day of Armour.  

The practitioner suspected iodine deficiency so she also put me on a daily dose 25 mg iodine complex capsules.  After a few days I thought my voice was more hoarse and I stopped the iodine.  I suggested to the practitioner that maybe I didn't need all that iodine, so she had me do the iodine loading test (24 hr urine test).  I excreted ALL of it.  The doc says I must not be absorbing iodine due to iodine symporter defect.  Have any of you dealt with that?  (By the way, a breast thermogram last week showed overall estrogen dominance and abnormal vascular pattern on one side.  Wondered if defective iodine transport can cause that too.  I'll find the right thread in comp medicine and submit that).  She wants me to take 3000 mg of vitamin C daily for better absorption for two weeks and repeat the test.

I'm thinking that food sources which contain both iodine and vitamin C such as sea vegetables (Maine Coast Sea Vegetables) would be better absorbed than a supplement.  I've read lots online about the use of bladderwrack and dulse, wonder what are your thoughts?    

Also, I'm thinking of trying the iodine patch test and wonder if anyone has tried that recently and if you think taking Lugol's worked for you, and if Lugol's applied topically may be absorbed even though iodine capsules aren't.  I also wonder if I should be tested for Hashimoto's.  You all have more experience with this than I do, so I appreciate any help from you all!

[LazyMoose]

"iodine patch test'

- I did that last year at a chiropractors office. It was the brown liquid iodine whatever that is. Was painted on side of torso and covered. Interesting test. Many pros and cons to taking iodine, especially if you have Hashimoto's.

'iodine transport defect' - never seen it termed that way.

[Smilerdeb]

Thats 82.4 F and we have got up to 50C last summer with bushfires in Australia.

Usually the summer is between 30C - 44C so pretty hot.
Its our Autumn here too.

[ojbjmom]

Thanks so much, both of you, for your responses!  Laura, you're the second person to discourage the 24 hr urine test--the thermography doc also told me it's not as reliable.  I'll be seeing my integrative medicine doc on Tuesday and will offer these recommendations from both of you.  

And Smilerdeb, I'm ignorant on celsius temps.  I'm assuming 29 is pretty warm?  We live in Alaska where if it gets up to 40 F we have to open all the windows!

It is such a relief to have contact with this experienced community.  I'll be on here a lot.  Again, thank you!  

[Smilerdeb]

sorry was supposed to read............antibody testing for Hashi's.

I'm on the laptop and sitting in the dark (to cool off as 29 Celcius outside today LOL)

[Smilerdeb]

Iodine tends to make the thyroid levels irratic.
I agree with Laura...antibdoys testing for Hashi's.

[laura1967]

Yes you should be tested for Hashi's before you start loading up on Iodine. I wouldn't put much merit into the 24 hr urine catch...I would do a patch test on skin.
Most important is to first find out if you have Hashimoto's and get your thyroid levels optimal. Keep in mind that Armour has changed their formulation and many patients had to switch to Naturethroid.