Hypothyroidism & iodine

[Bornsickie]

Hello, I run low grade temps all the time, usually around 96.0.  I dont have a PCP and have not for over a year. I have to be my own doctor. My question is this... with hypothyroidism (I have a bunch of the symptoms) I believe I need to replace iodine. I have been craving salt lately.
What is the best way to ensure any product I take is actually getting into my system the best way? Such as... Pills, verses beverage.
Which stays in your system the longest? Pills or beverage?
Anyone recommend anything I can get at the local health store?
Has anyone tried Noni Juice? Is this good for under active thyroid? I have heard allot about it but, not specifically related to the thyroid. I really haven't looked into it yet, I am too ill to sit here and accomplish allot of research. Thats why I am posting in this forum.

I am also looking at: Avena sativa, coleus forskohlii, dulse, and bladderwrach herbs.
Has anyone used these? If so.... what are your thoughts?
Thanks a bunch!

[PlateletGal]

Something I posted just now in the EBV and fibro/CFS forums :



I recently tried taking iodine because I've read that close to 100% of fibro & CFS patients have a low thyroid, but the standard blood tests often miss it. Anyway, I cannot believe the difference !! My hair and skin are softer, I have a little bit more energy and less weakness.

I noticed First magazine has an article in this month's issue on iodine deficiency. Of course an underactive thyroid can be due to insufficient amounts of iodine in the body. I highly recommend it for all members here. Of course this would exclude those who have hyperthyroidism.

** important --- if you are considering taking iodine supplements, please talk to your physician first **

[kitty9309]

The local health clinic can at least run the labs for you at low or no cost. You could at least rule it out that way.

[Bornsickie]

I am not convinced its thyroid... you are correct in saying it could be others as well. And you are correct in saying that some of my symptoms don't relate.
Since I don't have a Dr. I am going to do the iodine test everyday if needed and see what the results are. If it does not disappear I will discontinue the iodine.
Everyone is correct in saying I need a Dr. to attend to this problem. You'll get no argument from me on that point.
Temp this morning was 98.1

[stella5349]

Why are you so convienced it is thyroid? It could be adrenals - parathyroids - pitutary - a large aray of things other than thyroid.

And your past history posting all your symptoms  do not entirely match just a thyroid disorder.

If you start messing with iodine and you don't need it - you may find more problems down the road for you.

I feel for your pain with the money stuff - but you are not qualified to Dx yourself alone with out proper evaluation

[PlateletGal]

I agree. Whatever people choose to do, there needs to be a physician involved overseeing everything. I keep my Endocrinologist and my PCP informed of everything I take and am doing.

I can relate to bornsickie in the sense that it took many years for me to get a diagnosis. Despite the fact that I worked in the medical field, I was passed from specialist to specialist for so long that I eventually grew tired and started seeing alternative medicine practitioners. Through my experiences, I have found some wonderful treatments that are considered to be alternative medicine. A research study conducted at a university found that the majority of CFS patients have found the same results... that alternative medicine helped CFS patients and that western medicine had very little to offer CFS patients. So that is why I can relate. I am fortunate that I have health insurance and have had continuous health care coverage.

Best,

PlateletGal

[ChitChatNine]

In addition to the ideas and comments listed above I really would get the bloodwork tests done.  Hypo and hyperthyroidism cannot be self treated .. it's fine to do the tests above but not fine to be self treating and not advocated as treatment alone .... the above posts are helpful, great info, but do not replace labwork and a physcian overseeing the results ..

Have you considered doing e-bay as a way to fund the $ needed for medical tests (labwork) and go to a clinic?  When things were tight by me, I e-bay things for friends and it started to mushroom big-time whereas people started to come to me as a broker ..just an idea that may help the financial hurdle for medical care on the thyroid condition for you.

Be careful with taking supplements ..... endicrinology is very complicated and needs a physician to oversee the alternative/complimentary approaches.

C~

[PlateletGal]

The iodine test isn't without controversy, but it is something that is very cheap and can't hurt... especially for people who don't have health insurance. I'm interested in it because I know I have thyroid problems (80-90% of CFS patients do). Unfortunately the standard thyroid tests don't pick up thyroid problems in fibro or CFS patients... so I need to speak with my Endo about that still. Anyway, a study in 1932 stated that when iodine is applied to the skin in almost any form, 50% evaporates into the air within 2 hours and between 75 and 80 percent evaporates into the air within 24 hours.  On the other hand...  a later study found that over 70% of people are iodine deficient ! So that could obviously debunk the previous study. Of course iodine deficiency can lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland and hypothyroidism. Those claims are not disputed by any physician.

Here's a link for iodine rich foods that you may find to be helpful :

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iodine/


Best,

PlateletGal

[Bornsickie]

Well, plateletgal, that is very interesting to say the least. I will definitely do the testing.
I know how important it is to maintain an iodine level without going into over medicating. So this is a great way to find out! Thanks so much!

gimel, you also have some very interesting information. Especially about basel cell temps. Starting tomorrow I will add that to the list of vitals.
You have both provided me with more information to research as well as a few sites knowledgeable in this area.

See... this is the help I need. Thanks so much.

PS... my temp this morning is very low.  95.2! Taken 10 min after waking up.   Hmmm

[gimel]

If I were in your shoes without access to a doctor, I would at least check basal body temperature as an indicator of possible hypothyroidism. As has been pointed out here several times,  BBT is best used along with review of symptoms and blood testing: however, in your situation it might be of some value to determine if hypo t is a potential problem for you.   I have found it to be of value to me over the years.  I check my basal temp. in the armpit, before getting out of bed.  Let the thermometer stabilize completely and check the result.  The Dr. who first began using this years ago believed the normal range was 97.8-98.2.  Below 97.8 was an indicator of low metabolism and possibly hypothyroidism.

[PlateletGal]

Hi Bornsickie,

Its funny that you mention iodine because I was just reading about a simple test on Dr. David Jernigan's website the other day. This test will let you know if your body is in need of iodine.

You simply purchase 1 ounce bottle of tincture of 2% Iodine and then rub a spot using the tincture.... about the size of a silver dollar. You can "paint" the iodine on your arms, belly, thigh or the inside of your arm. Do this when you know that you are not taking a bath or shower... since it may wash off.

According to the information on Jernigan's website, if your body's level of Iodine is normal, then the spot will remain on the skin for 24 hours. If the spot disappears in less than 24 hours, this means your body needed the iodine and took it in.

They say you can keep doing this every 24 hours... until the spot stays there for a full 24 hours. At that point, your body apparently has had enough iodine.

One important thing: ***** if you are presently on thyroid medicine you may need to cut back on your dose, or ultimately stop it all together, now that your body has the iodine to manufacture the thyroid hormones it needs. *****

[Bornsickie]

No, I have not been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. After extensive searching I have found I fit the criteria very well. Please don't tell me it could be something else.... yes, it could... but, its not. Maybe a different type of hypothyroidism.... but, without question... it is some type of hypothyroidism.

[Bornsickie]

Thanks so much for your comments. however: I do not have a PCP for over a year now. It was either save our home of over 20 years or drop my health insurance.
We were paying $897.00 insurance payment just for me every month. Plus all the co-pays etc, etc. and the 14 high priced meds I was on... And they were not helping me anyway!
My story is extremely long and I cant go into again in this forum.
Bottom line is... I now have to be my own Dr. no choice. So, any information provided as to what to take for this problem would be appreciated.

[gimel]

There's nothing that can take the place of reviewing your temperature/symptoms with a good thyroid Dr. and having some blood testing done.  The sooner the better.  JMHO  

[kipland]

I'm sorry that I can't answer your question about some of the herbs, etc. that you're asking about.  

I just read some of your journal entries, and was wondering why you don't have a PCP?  It appears that you have a lot of health issues going on that need to be looked into.  Have you been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and if so are you on any meds for it?