Iodine, Hashimoto's, and pregnancy 
Sunlight6732
9 y
1,236
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Hello everyone. I have read many threads on this forum but this will be the first time I am posting. I have been supplementing with Iodine (lugol's) for about 5 months now (while taking all cofactors). I gradually worked up to 50 mg over about a month but then increased to about 100mg after that (sometimes more and sometimes less). I have Hashimoto's and the Iodine has helped a lot with many symptoms that have lingered despite my treatment with thyroid meds and having normal thyroid levels (I take 50mcg levothyroxine daily). I did an Iodine loading test a few weeks ago and just received the results. I was 98% iodine sufficient and slightly over the safe bromine threshold it appears (7.74 - still not sure of the units). I have not spoken to the doctor yet to hear what he has to say about the results but I also recently found out I am pregnant (about 6 weeks right now). the iodine helped to regulate my menstrual cycles as I hoped it would and I got pregnant within 2 months of trying! I got my thyroid levels tested last week and all were in normal range except TSH which was 7.53! Despite everything I have read From Dr. Brownstein and others about the irrelevance of elevated TSH with normal T3 and T4 and the fact that I feel great aside from a tightness in my throat which has come back recently after disappearing during iodine supplementation, this concerns me since I am pregnant. Part of my concern is with what my endocrinologist and OBGYN will say tomorrow when I tell them I've been taking iodine. I did not plan to take such a high dose during pregnancy - I wanted to become iodine sufficient as quickly as possible as my husband and I were wanting to become pregnant. I have reduced my dose to 12.5mg since receiving my thyroid lab results and hope to stay on this dosage through my pregnancy. I have a feeling that my TSH will drop significantly on this dose as my GP tested me after I'd been supplementing for about 3 weeks at 25mg and TSH was normal then. I have also reduced my Vitamin C intake to 500mg as I have heard that too much during pregnancy can be detrimental. I am hoping that some of you might have some insight or advice on my situation. Thank you in advance for your ideas.
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- Re: Iodine, Hashimoto's, and pregnan... Ginagirl
9 y
1,388
This is a reply to # 2,265,377Congratulations with your pregnancy! Very few doctors will approve Iodine supplements, and even fewer know that the TSH tests doesn't show the right picture.
I would probably not tell them at all, just go by symptoms and general well being, but thats me. When one feel great, keep up the work!
Only recommendation I can give is to take selenium with your iodine, and do read / study. I took a lot of supplements in my second pregnancy; vit C at least a gram. He seemed to be much better off than my first one. Still regret that I didn't take Iodine and magnesium. But I didn't know about it back then.
Suggestion; search Violien`s posts at this forum, also stopthethyroidmadness site. They give explanations about the TSH rollercaster.
Best of luck:)
- Re: Iodine, Hashimoto's, and pregnan... Sunlight6732
9 y
1,153
This is a reply to # 2,265,949Thank you Ginagirl for your response. I actually did decide not to tell my endocrinologist or my OB about the Iodine and of course my endo wanted to increase my dosage of levothyroxine. I spoke to Dr Flechas before visiting with the endo and he advised me not to increase the dosage if that's what my endo recommends but I am concerned with the fact that it's possible my TSH has risen due to Iodine AND due to an increased need for thyroid hormone. I really have no way of knowing other than by symptoms which I don't currently have aside from pain in my thyroid, but I don't think that going from 50 to 75mcg of levothyroxine is going to push me into becoming hyperthyroid so I have taken the increased dosage the last few days (my free T4 and free T3 are at the low-mid range of normal). I have another appointment to talk to Dr. Flechas next week to ask his advice on this (I didn't specifically tell him any of my lab numbers the last time I spoke to him). He also advised me to take 1g Vit. C so I have gone back up on it and I do currently take 300mcg selenium and was taking it for several months prior to adding iodine. I also take 1000mg Magnesium citrate and 50mg Zinc (is this too much for these?) as well as calcium, Vit D, B6, B12, milk thistle, folate, iron, fish oil, and the B2 and B3 which are recommended for those with Hashimoto's while taking Iodine - I had stopped these 2 for a while and am wondering if that is part of the reason my TSH went up and I am having some pai. In my thyroid. Dr. Flechas advised me that they should help bring my TSH down. I am trying to follow my instincts and I don't feel hypothyroid right now so I'm trying not to worry about it. But I have to admit that it will make me feel a lot better if my TSH has lowered the next time it is checked. Thanks again for your input and advice. My husband is the only other one that knows everything about my current situation and he is very supportive but it's wonderful to hear encouragement from others who I know are more savvy than I am on iodine supplementation and its effects.
- Re: Iodine, Hashimoto's, and pregnan... Ginagirl
9 y
1,320
This is a reply to # 2,266,063Good choice. I was borderline hypo thyroid when pregnant 18-16 years ago. Had three miscarriages, due to Iodine deficiency possibly.
If you go for doctors, go for the best.
Search this forum, Violien (poster) in particular. She has a blog that up to this date gives the best explanation of why the TSH goes up or down on Iodine supplementation.
Best of luck:)- Re: Iodine, Hashimoto's, and pregnan... Sunlight6732
9 y
1,154
This is a reply to # 2,266,190Thank you again for your response. I am very sorry to hear about your past losses. I hope I don't ever have to go through that. I am sure it is extremely difficult. I know I have read some very informative posts from Violien in the past and I am going through more of them right now - lots of great info! I also meant to mention before for anyone that may be looking for this information that Dr. Flechas recommended 12.5 mg Iodine during pregnancy and continuing that amount through breastfeeding. This was different from the advice that someone else on here had said he gave them so I thought I would give that update for what it's worth. I will also mention that I definitely do have concerns about the cases I have read about here and elsewhere of Iodine supplementing mothers having babies with elevated TSH. If any of you feel you have an idea of how frequently this occurs (ie what percentage of the time) or under what specific other conditions (particular Iodine dosages or perhaps low Selenium?), I would really appreciate if you would share that info. I also have concerns about NOT supplementing with iodine while pregnant so it is a difficult decision to make......I will be sticking with it for the time being.
- Re: Iodine, Hashimoto's, and pregnan... Sunlight6732
9 y
1,154
- Re: Iodine, Hashimoto's, and pregnan... Ginagirl
9 y
1,320
- Re: Iodine, Hashimoto's, and pregnan... Sunlight6732
9 y
1,153
- Re: Iodine, Hashimoto's, and pregnan... Ginagirl
9 y
1,388
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