Iodine Anyone? page 157

[Gwynn]

I am starting iodine supplementation again today.

Just to recap, three weeks into iodine supplementation last time (1 iodoral), I began to experience severe hypothyroid like symptoms. This included scary things such as low HR (40bpm), low BP (98/52), anxiety and difficulty breathing. I immediately stopped supplementation and had my thyroid tested. The tests performed were TSH, free t3, free t4, and the tests for antibodies. All came back well within normal range. I was however diagnosed with hypoglycemia through a glucose tolerance test.

I went and talked to my chiropractor who is my Paleo doc. He thought it was a result of being Very Low Carb for a long time and suggested that I add starchy veg back into my diet, around 75-100g. I made this change and immediately saw a lessening in the symptoms. You see, I fell into the trap of believing that if 75g of carb was good for weight loss, then 25 would be better. For me it did not work that way, though it might for others. My loss stopped dead and I developed a periodic binge issue that got worse as time passed. Add to that over-exercising to try and restart weightloss, and I created a recipe for a crash.

I am retelling this tale because at first I thought that my problems were caused by the iodine and posted that here. I will let you all know how it goes. If the symptoms resurface then I'll have to rethink, but I hope that my chiro is right about the cause of my crash and that I can safely supplement iodine.

Pebbles,

That is so good to hear! And rest assured, you are not alone in that thinking. I remember overdoing (among many things) Dexatrim back in the day. I thought, if one was good then two must be better!LOL

Gwynn

[Gwynn]

LJ,

The only prescription meds my DH is on (for some years) are the thyroid medicine and ketoconazole cream and shampoo. He uses OTC sleep aids. I have racked my brain to think of what might be causing the dry mouth, but I can't come up with anything, unless it's the sleep aids.

Gwynn

[justaseeker]

My calcium intake is probably on the low side, except for the days when I eat cheese. From food sources, magnesium intake is definitely higher than calcium intake. Maybe I should mention that I LOVE salt and eat unrefined (pink or grey) on pretty much everything. Could I be getting too much magnesium when I supplement?

Bananaleaf & SMGJ - Here are a few articles on the importance of calcium/magnesium balance. Also important to consider are the other minerals, vitamins, and oils (essential fatty acids) which play a role in balancing cal/mag. A key player is potassium - which is a magnesium antagonist. One of the trace minerals that doesn't get a mention - but is central to maintaining cal/mag balance AND metabolism of cal/mag - is silicon/silca.

I believe that Grizz has added the links to the silica/silicon articles that I shared here at the blog to one of his documents, maybe the one on iodine I'm not sure. Will check on that next.

Another issue to consider in balancing ratios is that there are several metabolic disorders, thyroid disorder being only one group, that hamper the body in maintaining nutritional balances. So, if balance isn't achieved despite dietary sufficiency, then it may be time to consider medical testing for these types of disorders.

Ca and Mg

Calcium and Magnesium: Requirements, Health Benefits, Supplement info

Studies Confirm Best Calcium/Magnesium Ratio - Dynamic Duo Remedies Insomnia - Nutrition Breakthroughs' Posterous

[justaseeker]

LJ,

The only prescription meds my DH is on (for some years) are the thyroid medicine and ketoconazole cream and shampoo. He uses OTC sleep aids. I have racked my brain to think of what might be causing the dry mouth, but I can't come up with anything, unless it's the sleep aids.

Gwynn

My money's on the sleep aids - try Googling the names for side effects and please let us know what you find. Btw, if you don't mind, what ~exactly~ is his thyroid diagnosis & etiology - and why is he using anti-fungal hair care? What came first - the thyroid issues or the use of the hair care?

[ljbprrfmof]

LJ,

The only prescription meds my DH is on (for some years) are the thyroid medicine and ketoconazole cream and shampoo. He uses OTC sleep aids. I have racked my brain to think of what might be causing the dry mouth, but I can't come up with anything, unless it's the sleep aids.

Gwynn

Gwynn,

For me, it is my combination of blood pressure meds that caused dry mouth. I would recommend checking a website for a list of meds that can contribute to it.

Dry Mouth -- Home

LJ

[justaseeker]

Hi

I just came across this in my reading:



Learn more:Balance Sodium with Potassium for Good Health

Thought it might be relevant.

Thanks for sharing, Jo.

The US RDI for potassium is 4700 mg. AU RDI is much less and varies by age and gender. See the article below for a table of AU & NZ values and more discussion about potassium.

Its hard to meet the RDI, if you look at the potassium content of a serving of even potassium rich foods. That's where the Wahl's protocol might be helpful - or low glycemic, green smoothies might also help. I'm currently reworking my own diet in this regard, not being able to take potassium pills. Btw, the typical amount of potassium in an OTC supplement in the US is 99 mg per serving. Times ~ 47? Per day? YIKES! Just not doable.

NHMRC Nutrient Reference Values - Nutrients potassium

[justaseeker]

Gwynn,

For me, it is my combination of blood pressure meds that caused dry mouth. I would recommend checking a website for a list of meds that can contribute to it.

Dry Mouth -- Home

LJ

Great idea, LJ!

[justaseeker]

Pebbles,

That is so good to hear! And rest assured, you are not alone in that thinking. I remember overdoing (among many things) Dexatrim back in the day. I thought, if one was good then two must be better!LOL

Gwynn

Oh, Hurrah, Pebbles! That sounds right to me - so I am very hopeful for you to be doing better soon. I've been reading a number of comments and articles on this subject lately. You know, Atkins used VLC/ketosis only as the induction phase of the weight loss diet for just this reason. I like some of the guidelines of the low carb/atkins programs but love the paleo/primal recipes and emphasis on natural versus artificial ingredients in foods. Also, iodine will boost your metabolism so that you will start to utilize those starch carbs even better.

About the more is better philosophy...that can also be true of iodine, IMO. I am not - at this point - convinced that everyone actually needs 50 mg or more. More on that later. So, Gwynn, before going to 75 mg for DH, try looking at other possible explanations for his symptoms.

[justaseeker]

Another piece of the puzzle found.

On the Trail of the Elusive X-Factor: A Sixty-Two-Year-Old Mystery Finally Solved - Weston A Price Foundation
I've earlier marveled over k2 - and that the plaque on the teeth disappears when I supplement d3+k2.

Now it seems that k2 (which may or may not depend heavily on a good intestinal flora) is vital for the oxidation of iodide as well. So what type of iodine supplementation chosen should probably in a certain degree depend on vitamin k2 status as well.

Thank you for sharing! Just as we are for D3, we are finding more value all the time for the K spectrum.

[Pebbles67]

Yes, I am even starting lower than I did before (2.5mg) and I may not go beyond 12.5mg. I am also staying at each level for a month.