Kelp->Iodine->Thyroid

[thinker]

Hey guys -

Anybody taking Kelp or some other iodine type supplement in order to stimulate the thyroid. I have just recently and feel noticeably better.

Anyone else on to this?

[Tuscanytrace]

I just started doing this, along with L-Tyrosine and thyroid glandular extract. A nutritionist at a health food store suggested it. Too early to tell; just two days and they were rough days.

[inatic]

have you had your thyroid levels tested before you started playing with it?

[AllieCat0817]

I wanted to say that last night.
If you are hypothyroid (based on a full thyroid panel test consisting of Free T3, Free T4 and TSH, as well as a TPO antibodies test to test for Hashimoto's), then I don't think those things will help. If you THINK you might be hypothyroid, get the tests mentioned above. If you have Hashimoto's (which you won't know unless you get tested) and you take kelp/iodine, you can make your condition WORSE not better.
Not claiming to be a thyroid expert BY FAR, just sharing what I have learned (and am continuing to learn).

Kelp and Iodine for Thyroid

Question: What About Iodine and Kelp Supplements?

Answer: While some herbalists and vitamin proponents recommend iodine tablets or kelp supplements (which are high in iodine) for people with thyroid problems, you need to be extremely careful about any decision to take iodine or kelp supplements if you are on thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

The thinking behind taking iodine or kelp is that in many parts of the world, goiters and thyroid disease are related to iodine deficiency. In the U.S. and other developed countries, iodine deficiency is not very common anymore, due to the addition of iodine to salt -- iodized salt -- and other food products. In fact, the most common forms of thyroid disease found in the U.S. -- autoimmune thyroid diseases like Graves' Disease or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis -- have nothing to do with iodine deficiency at all. Actually, thyroids are extremely sensitive to iodine, and you need to be careful about adding too much iodine to the diet as it can irritate or aggravate the thyroid. Most doctors say not to worry about some iodized salt, or the iodine present in a food item such as an occasional sushi dinner. But even many prominent alternative doctors such as Andrew Weil and Stephen Langer advise against taking iodine or kelp supplements for people with autoimmune problems.

Nothing replaces proper and full testing and medication if needed...

[AllieCat0817]

Another article (read whole thing):
Iodine and the Thyroid

[Tuscanytrace]

Originally Posted by AllieCat0817

Another article (read whole thing):
Iodine and the Thyroid

Good article. I *do* like in the Great Lakes area, and we've used sea salt for years. So I might possibly be having a problem with it.

I don't normally do doctors at all, but I might possibly go for this. We didn't have insurance for years (fell between the cracks of not being able to afford it but making too much for help). Just got it again so I'll have to see if even with insurance we can do the tests. We just put thousands into fixing car hell so I might not be able to. Hence, trying things to see if it makes a difference or not.

[Magicsmom]

ITA with Inatic and AllieCat! Thyroid is not something we should be self-diagnosing and treating. That said, when you do go to get it tested, find an endocrinologist who tests the "Free" levels rather than going by TSH. You would be surprised how many doctors do not have a clue how to interpret thyroid tests.

[AllieCat0817]

I just typed this in another thread. Maybe it will help..

This is another subject still on my mind, ESPECIALLY with regards to obtaining proper thyroid treatment. Too many people have been diagnosed hypothyroid and take their doctor's word on testing and treatment. I know cuz I was one of them. And for the most part I did fairly well just going by what my doctor was saying. Until I really really realized I'd be hypothyroid the rest of my life no matter what, and that'd I'd be on replacement hormone forever. After reading on LCF over and over and over about thyroid, I made the decision to fully understand my lab results and my medication. It was then that I started questioning my lab #s and treatment. Turns out my labs WERE on the LOW SIDE of normal... and my doctor had NEVER run a proper FULL thyroid panel. I did a bunch of research and printed it out and showed my dr WHY I wanted the full panel test done etc. Prior to me printing up my research and taking it to my dr, he was adamant that the Total T4 and TSH were the only numbers he needed to worry about. I have a GREAT rapport with him so I felt comfortable taking my research to him and saying 'see this is why I want more thorough testing' and he agreed. Now he tests me for the FULL PANEL everytime I get tests. When I request to be tried on a different med, and show him WHY I want to try it, we discuss it in depth and he agrees. I have even said to him straight up 'this is my body, I will have this condition FOREVER, I want to try this'.

Too many hypothyroid peeps just go by what the doctors say and that is such a mistake. Because MOST doctors do NOT treat thyroid issues correctly. They are trained to usually only prescribe T4 meds (synthroid, levothyroxine), and that the TSH number or Total T3 and Total T4 lab results are sufficient. And the patient goes along with it cuz the patient doesn't understand it anyway. A true indicator of thyroid function is shown with a hormone panel which includes FREE T3, FREE T4, TSH, as well as TPO Antibodies (to test for Hashimoto's). Without that you do not have a full picture. Even when the dr does the FULL thyroid panel with all the tests listed above, do not just take the doctor's word that 'the results are normal'. Ask for a copy of the labs for yourself. Take full ownership. Know that synthetic T4 meds (Synthroid, Levothyroxine) are NOT your only option. If your numbers are not OPTIMAL, perhaps you need the addition of a T3 supplement.

Optimal thyroid #s-- the #s I am aiming for given MY SPECIFIC thyroid condition (goiter with nodules / cancer-- which they wouldnt have known about had I NOT HAD a ct scan of my thyroid and subsequent fine needle biopsy and finally subtotal thyroidectomy)--
Free T4 at the mid-range of the lab's normal results
Free T3 at the upper range of the lab's normal results (3/4)
TSH suppressed very very low

Look into that possibility (cuz most dr's have NO CLUE and think that you will convert your T4 to T3 properly when in actuality alot of patients DONT convert well). Not only that, realize that synthetic T4 and T3 meds are NOT the only option either. There is a natural option where ONE PILL contains ALL the thyroid hormones.. T1, T2, T3 AND T4, in the ratio that VERY CLOSELY mimicks the human thyroid. I recently switched to Westhroid natural thyroid med to see if I feel better on it than on my synthetic T3 and T4 that I had been taking.

Furthermore, a hypothyroid patient can be in the NORMAL RANGE with their lab results, but at the same time they are still not OPTIMIZED. I'd MUCH rather be OPTIMIZED and not just shoot for 'NORMAL RANGE'. Especially since my thyroid is so closely linked with my weight and my female hormones. I want it OPTIMAL, not just NORMAL.

So I am hoping that Fluffy, since you were diagnosed as hypothyroid, that you fully understand all the ins and outs of it, and dont just rely on your dr's word. I am so adamant about this just based on my OWN personal experience, and all the info I learned HERE (which then allowed me to dig deeper for myself). I finally understand the thyroid thing and want all hypo patients to understand it as well and DONT GO BY WHAT THE DR SAYS. Get your labs, know your numbers, and feel great.

A hypo person may be feeling 'fine' now... just because they are used to feeling 'fine'-- and dont even realize that they are actually not all THAT great feeling. If their numbers are not optimal, they could be feeling even FINER! I want to feel my best.

Sorry for the personal rant.. I just can't help it! The thyroid doctor thing is just a major major thing for me. And I thank Pam for steering me in the direction to do my research and understand it for myself.

Sometimes I think some people feel threatened by 'board gurus' and think 'Im not listening to that know it all, she works my last nerve!'. So to be defensive they just dismiss everything the person says or try to counter it. When in actuality they might learn something that might help them.