Dr. Dach -Selenium/Iodine

[Jorose]

As you know, the problem with Iodoral (iodine) relates to the patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis with elevated TPO and/or thyroglobulin antibodies. These patients may go into Hashitoxicosis after supplementing with iodine, exhibiting hyperthyroid symptoms possibly requiring hospitalization for thyroid storm.

We are finding Hashimoto's thyroiditis to be more common than originally thought, almost epidemic, and it seems to be increasing. On a routine basis, initial evaluation includes thyroid antibody levels. In addition, all patients routinely must have a serum selenium level drawn. I have found that in almost all patients with elevated antibodies, selenium supplementation will normalize and drive down antibody levels on serial lab studies.

In order to prevent the thyroid storm and other adverse effects from iodine in Hashimoto's patients, as you know, these patients must be supplemented with selenium first. This is why we first routinely draw a serum selenium, and for those cases below 135 ng/ml, we give 200-400 meg of selenomethionune for three weeks before starting the iodine supplementation at 6.25 mg (half the 12.5 mg tab) every other day.

Starting with a lower dose of iodine avoids the various adverse effects of skin itching and metallic taste and GI symptoms that can be reported at first. These are usually transient, and after a week or so, the dose can be safely increased to a full tablet daily.

Occasionally, we see a typical Hashimoto's patient with an elevated TSH around 5 or 6, and also an upper range free T3 around 350 to 400. These patients respond to selenium supplementation well, and follow-up labs usually show free T3 coming down to the 280-300 level, which in retrospect indicates the patient initially exhibited a slight thyrotoxic effect of the Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which then cooled down after the selenium. At this point it is safe to start the iodoral. If a Hashi's patient with a slightly overfunctioning thyroid and coexisting low selenium level is then started on iodine without first optimizing the selenium level, this will aggravate the thyroiditis, and possibly throw the patient into thyroid storm....... web site: jeffreydach

[Leo41]

This makes NO sense. Why would you give a Hashi's patient iodine to begin with? My understanding is that it's a mistake for any thyroid patient, but toxic for Hashi's. Pam used to report that iodine deficiency as a cause for hypo hasn't been a problem in the U.S. since the early 20th century.

I have Hashi's and am doing fine with a standard protocol--Levoxyl and Cytomel.

[Jorose]

That's been my understanding all along as well. However, my sister has Hashi's, had an iodine loading test and was found to be deficient. Her Dr followed what Dr Dach says here, checked her selenium levels and then put her on iodine. She's on NT as well and if she doesn't take the iodine, she doesn't feel well. Alot of differing opinions on this it seems.

[Mazella09]

My daughter has Hashi's as well and has been on 12.5 mg of Iodoral *along with companion supplements of Selenium, magnesium, zinc, vit b complex, vit c for almost a year now.

I have had a multinodular goiter since 2005. Biopsy is inconclusive. I had many symptoms of hypo, saw various doctors that did nothing to help me.

I began Iodoral and supplements and I cannot believe the amount of energy. I take 50 mg most days, sometimes less. The detox symptoms I had in the beginning were eased with Sea Salt water.

[Leo41]

I worry about the 'agenda' of some of these doctors. A friend who has Hashi's went to a 'naturalist' who diagnosed her as iodine deficient, too.

I found a quick test for iodine, and I don't seem to have any issues at all. If it's so important, it seems odd to me that my very excellent endo doesn't test for iodine, nor does my primary.

Perhaps it's because, as has been reported here, iodine deficiency is very rare in the U.S. these days?

[Jorose]

I hear ya about the agenda, Leo.
The doc my sister sees is an MD, yep, leans toward more natural ways of treating, but still an MD who does Integrative. I was on my sister for a long time about the iodine, but she actually showed me the iodine loading results to shut me up, and she was indeed deficient. I remember Pam saying that you HAVE to be tested for it before you even consider taking it. And as I said, my sis doesn't feel well now without it.
Dr. Dach is one that was recommended on this forum many times. I believe Dr. Woliner was first pick and Dach second for south Florida. He's been treating a friend of mine down there and she's doing very well now after being diagnosed bipolar - she wasn't bipolar, she has Hashi's! (Wasn't iodine deficient, he checked her selenium and iodine levels)

[Jorose]

Maz, did you test the iodine to see if you were deficient first?
Do you both have your thyroid levels checked? (FT3, FT3, TSH) ??

[amihyperthyroid]

Thank you for sharing Jorose!!! About your sister being misdiagnosed bipolar and found to be her thyroid. Praise God!! I've been experiencing WIERD pysch symptoms almost like schitzoaffective. I'm hoping its my thyroid since I had definite thyroid symptoms after my daughter was born. I have a nodule, too. Its so wierd... my whole life I was an energetic, bubbly, funny, charismatic silly girl and now I'm monotone and my personality is flat.... its killing me! Thanks for the hope!

So she likes Dr. Dach?

[amihyperthyroid]

Does Pam recommend Dr. woliner before Dr. Dach? (I was just reading Dr. Woliner's website)

[Kimberli]

I think this really illustrates the need for thorough labs. In the beginning I was all about the T3, T4 tests and that's all anyone really needed but through my own trails I now know different. I've come to believe that this disease is like nailing jello to the wall. It's so amazing how one small change shifts the whole thing around. It's synergy at it's highest form.

[Jorose]

Not my sister diagnosed bipolar, a friend of mine seeing Dr. Dach
They both have good reputations, (Woliner and Dach)
Look at the top of the page at the stickies, tons of info on psych manifestations of Hashi's....good luck!