Iodeine

[dreeftwppd]

Hey folks,

I take 75mcg of Synthroid, should I be taking Iodine supplements? I have heard/read that helps?

[LazyMoose]

On the general subject of vitamin and herbal supplementation -

It really only makes sense for anyone to take something if they notice a positive change. Positive change means two things: obvious physical change you can someway feel, and / or changes in lab values. Not necessarily limiting to thyroid here, but general health; example - lipid panels or glucose.

What one person needs, another may not. To find this out you really need to supplement with anything for at least a couple months, but one thing at a time so you know what any changes were from. And if possible, lab tests can help.

I personally ditched multivitamins all together one year ago, and noticed no change. Thought this was odd at first. Did not matter the quality of multivitamin either. I eat better than years ago too. Now I take individual vitamins - the ones I notice positive changes with. Same goes with natural herbal supplements, as I have learned a lot about these and know what my body likes. Iodine drops did nothing noticeable for my Hashimoto 3 years ago, even though crops from the Midwest are iodine deficient. Some claim it helps, some say it worsened their thyroid condition.

Were all different.

[FurballsMom]

I don't think krill oil contains iodine.  It is recommended over fish oil for your omega three fatty acid.  It is also a natural source of astaxanthin, which Dr. Mercola has been talking about being a great health benefit.  You would have to read more about that on his site, though, because I don't remember all the newer information he has been talking about concerning astaxanthin.  It comes from the little krill themselves.

As many with thyroid issues tend to have food sensitivities and allergies, my main concern would be whether you have a shell fish allergy or not.  Funny thing is, I thought I wouldn't be able to take krill oil myself, but this one I got from Swanson Vitamins doesn't bother me.

I do believe very much that it matters which formulas your vitamins are and that you need to get the formula that works best for you.  For a long time I wasn't able to take vitamin B complex formulas because I would get sick to my stomach on them, so even though I knew I needed the B vitamins I was afraid to take any because I didn't want to get nauseous again.  Then a friend with similar issues told me which one she takes and how there was just a slight variation in the formulation of that B 100 complex compared to another one.  That was the key.  So, now I only take that one brand or that one formula because it works for me.

[thethinme]

I also gave up Centrum since I started taking a "live" multivitamin version with whole foods, it's like a miracle and i.e. a black streak I had in my nail disappeared in a week.

[allmymarbles]

I think the proper expression is they "displace iodine."

[allmymarbles]

It would appear to be true that we have an adequate intake of iodine. However, chlorine fluoride and bromides block the uptake of iodine, so the figures are deceptive.

[goolarra]

"Early in the 20th century, the Great Lakes, Appalachian, and northwestern regions of the United States were endemic for iodine deficiency disorders, but since the iodization of salt and other foods in the 1920s, dietary iodine levels generally have been adequate. National survey data suggest that average US dietary iodine intake fell dramatically from 1971-1990 and then stabilized. Urinary iodine values of less than 50 mcg/L, moderate iodine deficiency, are found in 11.1% of the total population, 7.3% of pregnant women, and 16.8% of reproductive-aged women.[8, 9]"

You should ask your doctor and probably request a test...why supplement if your levels are adequate?

[dreeftwppd]

Thanks Barb, thanks Allmy- I guess I will ask the doc :)

Paus, I take a whole food version of mens everyday and I think it's great. I also do take fish oil, I found one brand that doesn't upset my stomach. I also take magnesium. This particular multivitamin has a ton of vit D - Selenium and Zinc as well as probiotics and herbs. I believe it's helped.

[allmymarbles]

I am not an expert on hypothyroidism, so I don't know the answer. I first used iodine as a remedy for insomnia. That was some years ago. I stopped taking it, figuring I no longer needed it. Ultimately I ran into other problems, as explained above, and returned to using iodine.

[Paus]

what about fish oil? i take centrum everyday is that ok? & what others supplements needed mostly for hypothyroidism,? thanks

[allmymarbles]

Traditional medicine usually says do not take iodine. Alternative medicine says take iodine because most Americans are deficient. I suffered fatigue, so severe that it was difficult to function. I also gained weight, developed edema and found it difficult to keep focused. I started taking Lugol's 5% solution, three drops a week and realized an improvement after a few days. I now take 5 drops a week. I continue to improve, am lively, lost the water weight and feel 100 per cent better.

Whether or not you are advised to take iodine depends in great part on whom you speak to.

[Barb135]

Iodine should only be taken under a doctors supervision.  It's most often not recommended for those with Hashimoto's, as it can actually make things worse.