Topic: I get pain in my thyroid when I take Iodine (Potassium iodide). What's up???
Tammy N.
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I can't imagine why???
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Keebler
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- How much are you taking? Maybe it's tied to the dose?
Anyone who may have Hashimoto's (or an autoimmune thyroid condition) is not supposed to take iodine. I've had 2 different NDs tell me that. Not great detail but something to search out.
Maybe not every body can metabolize it as a supplement but maybe can in smaller amount in certain foods? -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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poppy
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There is a lot of controversy over hashimotos and iodine. The opposite view from the NDs quoted above can be found in David Brownstein's book about iodine. I thought he was convincing, so I have been taking iodine for several years now and I have anti-thyroid antibodies, usually called hashimotos.
My feeling is that lyme has attacked the thyroid, is intracellular and that is why the auto antibodies have formed. Since iodine is needed to make T3 and T4, I am assuming it is ok to take it.
I don't know why you had that reaction. It does not happen to me. Wondering if the antibacterial action of iodine might have been involved?
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Keebler
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Is That So? The Claim: All Thyroid Patients Should Take Iodine
- By Mary Shomon - Updated February 22, 2007
EXCERPT:
Hormone expert David Brownstein, MD, also offers caution regarding iodine.
Iodine supplementation in those that have an autoimmune thyroid problem can be akin to pouring gas over a fire.
However, with hypothyroid conditions that are not autoimmune in nature, iodine-containing foods can actually help the thyroid function better.
Personally, I'm one of those people with autoimmune thyroid disease who simply does not do well with supplemental iodine.
The times I have tried iodine supplementation in any form -- beyond the very small amounts of iodine contained in some supplements -- I have had what I call an "iodine crash." Within a day, I notice my thyroid enlarging slightly (goiter), and feeling tender.
Within three days, I am exhausted and achy all over my body.
Be careful about iodine -- it may be a help to you, but like me, you may also be sensitive to supplemental iodine.
(end of excerpt) ----------------------
Next step, search for the direct works of the quoted expert from above, David Brownstein, MD - and others.
Even if not a "true" autoimmune situation, since lyme topples an immune system on its head, there may be certain reactions that occur for someone (though maybe not everyone) with lyme.
It if does not work for you, heed that message. You body is obviously sending you a signal. -
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Keebler
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- I thought I recognized the doctor who is quoted above. Although not about iodine, he shows his awareness of nutrition in a particularly good article here, and you can find his blog link, too where you may find any thoughts on this subject since that quote was made in 2007.
- By Dr. David Brownstein -
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Tammy N.
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Thanks for the replies. Has me wondering....
On the auto-immunity front, I have been taking LDN so I would have thought that would have addressed a possible auto-immunity issue.
I've always wondered about Hashimotos. My doc has given me every other thyroid blood test except that one. I will press again when I see her next. I'd like to know where I stand with this.
Iodine is so important for breast health and the thyroid. But I wonder if it is not for me.
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poppy
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Quoting from Brownstein's book:
"The rising incidence of Hashimoto's and Graves' disease correlates with falling iodine levels. I believe the increase in both...occurring at near epidemic rates, is due in large part to iodine deficiency."
But anyone who wants to feel comfortable about this subject should do their own researching and make decisions based on it.
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Keebler
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- Perhaps the dose, maybe the brand, or the form? How it's taken (if alone or with food).
Perhaps it would be better from foods in smaller amount?
Be careful with any seaweeds, though, as they are high in a natural MSG and that can be far too excitatory for the nervous system of many with lyme. A little bit goes a long way when it comes to seaweeds (and a little at a time can still be of good benefit).
If any seaweed creates irritability or agitation, that's probably too much (and likely from the glutamate/glutamine content).
Also better to consume seaweed or any seaweed supplement (i.e. kelp) WITH FOOD to balance that out. Magnesium will also help balance out the glutamine in it.
Anyone with myoclonus or seizures should be very cautious with seaweed of any kind due to the glutamine/glutamic acid content. It can lower the seizue threshold. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- For the past 5 months, I've done very well with this. One table per day yields a physiological support dose. Google for vendors / more detail.
Nutri-West Iodine Rescue
Each Tablet Contains: Potassium Iodide 16.35 mg (Which yields Iodine 12.5 mg) Also contains Colloidal Silica -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- It just makes sense that if you experience a direct negative response to what you are doing that something needs to be adjusted. You might stop that for while explore another way. Your LL ND may have some suggestions as to the reason behind your reaction and how to interpret its meaning.
Iodine DROPS may be the best way to get a correct dose. Some choices here:
Articles would be elsewhere at this excellent site.
------------
Also search the research articles and choices at Vitamin Research Products, www.vrp.com -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Catgirl
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Tammy, I get pain when I take too much (12mg). I energy test for it now. I seem to do best when I take a very small dose every other day.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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Razzle
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Also need selenium. May have trouble with iodine by itself without selenium.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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Tammy N.
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My drops are 150mcg per 3 drops.
Razzle -- I didn't know that. Interesting. And this reminds me, the last time I did a hair or urine analysis it showed I was low in selenium. I forgot about it though. So much to always remember...
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I recently began taking a high quality multivitamin...in part due to the fact that I'm chelating metals (you actually just responded to my EDTA sppos post).
Anyways, years ago due to my Lyme, I experienced painful issues with my thyroid. I have TPO Abs...but not much else suspect shows up with the more 'basic' thyroid tests.
Well, shortly after taking this new multivitamin---which just so happens to contain iodine (in the form of potassium iodide)--- I began to experience the 'old' pain that I used to have in my thyroid.
Not sure what to make of it all, but, I figure that it can't be good. Will be bringing this up to my LLMD when I see the physician next.
Just thought that I'd let you know so that you didn't think that you were alone in your experience. Btw- I, too, take LDN.
Curious!!!
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Keebler
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- Selenium -- a few Brazil Nuts first thing in the morning can give us that needed selenium with other benefits, too, a bit of protein and good fat for our brains. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I've had goiters in the past. My endocrinologist told me that when the thyroid starts to shut down, a few cells that are still active try to take over the function of the gland. That area outgrows its blood supply and so it aches. If only a few of your cells can function, the iodine may be ramping up those cells, but you thyroid really is non-functional. I was on potassium iodide as a child for asthma and one reason why my thyroid pooped out early was because of potassium iodide use.
Posts: 482 | From Oregon | Registered: Feb 2011
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quote:Originally posted by Tammy N.: My drops are 150mcg per 3 drops.
I could only take one drop once per week in the beginning and I started it when I was already better from Lyme. It caused so much detox that I would get bladder pain from it.
When I started I was taking one drop per day. I ended up in the hospital for 4 days with a kidney infection. I didn't relate the two until I was released from the hospital and started back on the iodine.
I would immediately feel bladder pressure/pain like I do with a UTI. I started at one drop per week, the time it took for the pain/pressure to go away. Now I take one drop per day.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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Tammy N.
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Great info, thanks for sharing.
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Just wanted to report that I am again experiencing my "old" thyroid pain today. As noted, my only recent change includes beginning a very gentle metals chelation protocol, which has me supplementing with that new multivitamin that contains the potassium iodide (75 mcg's per capsule). The multivitamin incidentally contains selenium (60 mcg's glycinate complex) as well.
Honestly- when will someone just invent an at-home scanning/investigative device whose job it'll be to simply fish out our bodies deficiencies and or overages, already?! If only it were so, we could take the guessing out of the game, and even potentially resolve these issues ourselves!
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I think I saw one of those devices on Star Trek.... I want a delivery device that is painless for venipuncture. I am a hard start for IV's or any blood test and they have to dig around for a vein. You know its bad when they look at weird alternative places and then ask you if you've ever had one on your foot. The sooner they invent this thing, the better!!!!!!!!
Posts: 482 | From Oregon | Registered: Feb 2011
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Tammy N.
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Since I re-started nebulizing potassium iodide (for lungworm), I stopped taking it orally. I'm still getting crazy pain in my thyroid.
As soon as I stop taking it (orally or nebulizing), the pain goes away in a few days. Once I restart, the pain comes back.
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Tammy N.
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TX Lyme Mom shared this post with me on a different thread (about not being able to sweat). Very interesting:
Tammy, The painful swollen thyroid gland is only temporary when you first start taking iodine. This happens because you are severely iodine deficient, so the gland swells up, trying to capture more iodine. The swelling and pain will go away soon if you stick with it. (Think of a dried out sponge which swells up when it starts to soak up liquid.)
I don't know if taking iodine will help correct your inability to sweat or not because we haven't experienced that problem in our family. Maybe it might help, or maybe it won't. Be sure to report back later if you find that taking iodine helps you to sweat.
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poppy
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Otter, I am also a hard stick. Now instead of having them dig around and fail to find a vein, I just insist nicely that it will save us both time if they just use a butterfly needle in my hand veins, which do show up. If you stay warm and drink a lot of water beforehand, it will swell the veins and be easier. Don't go in cold and dehydrated, in other words. I have worn a warm jacket and gloves even in mild weather for that reason.
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I have asthma and when I was a child up through 30's when I was hospitalized, I had an IV. I have a
lot of scar tissue. I've tried drinking water, the hotpack, etc. A nurse told me the smaller the bore
of the needle, the more it destroys red cells and you can get screwy result if you have too many
broken red cells in your sample. It is a toss up and still a problem, whatever I try. Posts: 482 | From Oregon | Registered: Feb 2011
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Tammy N.
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I'm still having issues. I backed off the iodine, but have just restarted at 1 drop per day. I'm experiencing lots of discomfort in thyroid/neck area, swollen glands in neck, etc. (Plus crazy other nighttime symptoms of 100.2 fevers, major flu symptoms head to toe, swollen glands....not sure if it's related to thyroid or not??? Happens only in the evening and during sleep. So weird.)
I just started selenium today. Think I'm going to get some Tyrosine also.
Last week I also had an ultrasound. Wasn't thrilled with the report -- it said the thyroid is slightly enlarged and the isthmus is slightly thickened. (It includes specific measurements.)
Additional wording: There is a vague hypoechoic region occupying the mid right thyroid lobe. The area measures approx 1x2cm in size. Whether this represents focal heterogeneous tissue or a true mass is unknown. There is also a much larger hypoehoic region occupying large portions of the left thyroid lobe again possibly representing parenchymal mixed echogenicity or nodular replacement of much of this lobe. Thyroiditis could give a similar mixed echogenicity. This should be correlated clinically and with thyroid function studies.
btw - all of my thyroid blood tests always come back normal. But I need to be tested for Hashimoto's .
My ART doc didn't have a whole lot to say about my thyroid. I guess he sees so many issues that it didn't raise alarm bells with him. I don't feel settled though. Need to find a LL endocrinologist. That should be easy, right?
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
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Before being diagnosed with lyme, a naturopath gave me for low energy a Standard Process product which contained iodine and as I recall, it was Thytropin PMG. I quartered the pills to start. Before long, my throat began to swell and it hurt and I felt like I was crazy.
After my lyme diagnosis, I told my LLMD that I would not take that product again so he put me on T3. To determine how much I could take, he started me on the lowest dose. As I moved up to the next highest dose, once again I got the same symptoms I had earlier with the SP pills. I backed down and determined that the highest T3 I could have was only slightly above the lowest test dose. I stayed on the T3 for about 9 months with no problems.
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Tammy N.
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lymenotlite - have all of your thyroid issues resolved? And has your energy returned to normal? Was T3 enough? I thought we needed T3 and T4.
Thanks.
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