Re: Taking spironolactone (diuretic) & Iodoral --> is this dangerous??

[Guest guest]

How much Spironolactone are you taking? I took it for 20 years to keep my potassium levels up, so potassium is a concern. I think you would be all right using the amount of iodine that a person might get naturally from food. Another suggestion is Iosol, which is Glycerin iodine and ammonium iodine. It might be safer with Spironolactone. Also, I would take the lowest dose of Spironolactone that you could to achieve the results that you want. Cut the tablets into smaller doses, if you have to. I haven't taken it in a long time, but I think Spiro is one that you can cut. Blessings, Norine From: <coppertone.girl@...> iodine Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 6:53 AM Subject: Taking spironolactone (diuretic) & Iodoral --> is this dangerous??

Wondering if anyone is taking these medications together or can advise on

whether I have to choose one or the other.

I've been taking Iodoral for a few years now - worked my way up to 200 mg which

is quite high, but I've had no symptoms.

However, I've been suffering from persistent hormonal acne flare-ups that come

in the week before my menstrual cycle. I was at the end of my rope so my

dermatologist prescribed spironolactone (100 mg daily) which is a diuretic with

anti-androgen effects. Basically it reduces the testosterone so your hormone

levels are more even. I didn't want to go on the birth control pill.

I just started the medication but realized that Iodoral is POTASSIUM iodide and

you're supposed to watch your potassium intake with spironolactone since it

causes your body to hang on to potassium.

I found this warning on the web:

SPIRONOLACTONE in Spironolactone may interact with POTASSIUM IODIDE in Potassium

Iodide

Spironolactone may prevent excess potassium from being removed from the body in

the urine. If this happens, blood levels of potassium could be increased and

this could cause an increase in serious or potentially life-threatening side

effects. Potential side effects that can occur with high blood levels of

potassium include numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, muscle weakness,

and confusion. In severe cases, this may cause a dangerous decrease in blood

pressure, an abnormal heart rhythm, and death. An elevated blood level of

potassium may result when spironolactone is taken with potassium iodide,

especially when nutritional supplements or salt substitutes that contain

potassium are used at the same time. Spironolactone and potassium iodide should

generally not be taken together unless your doctor determines that your blood

level of potassium is abnormally low. If these drugs must be used together, your

doctor may want to monitor you on a regular basis to make sure that you are not

getting too much potassium. If you are experiencing problems, it may be

necessary to adjust the dose of potassium iodide. Ask your healthcare provider

about these drugs and this potential interaction as soon as possible.

This interaction is well-documented and is considered major in severity.

--

Now I'm TERRIFIED!

I don't have any doctors here with experience in iodine so of course they will

tell me to stop using the Iodoral. I'm reluctant to give it up since I'm a

thyroid cancer survivor and feel that I need to be on it for life (I actually

was able to reduce my dose of thyroid hormone by 30 mg thanks to Iodoral).

I am however willing to reduce my dose to a "maintenance dose" of maybe 12.5 or

25 mg instead of the 200mg.

But I just can't stand the hormonal acne so I'm really struggling here with what

to do.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Any thoughts would be greatly

appreciated. Thank you.

[Guest guest]

If it were me, instead of relying on a drug like this that has numerous side

effects, I would instead find a doc who works with balancing hormones, do

testing to find out if the acme is actually due to hormonal flare ups, and can

add in bio-identical hormones if needed.

Linn

Moderator

>

> Wondering if anyone is taking these medications together or can advise on

> whether I have to choose one or the other.

>

> I've been taking Iodoral for a few years now - worked my way up to 200 mg

which

> is quite high, but I've had no symptoms.

>

> However, I've been suffering from persistent hormonal acne flare-ups that come

> in the week before my menstrual cycle. I was at the end of my rope so my

> dermatologist prescribed spironolactone (100 mg daily) which is a diuretic

with

> anti-androgen effects. Basically it reduces the testosterone so your hormone

> levels are more even. I didn't want to go on the birth control pill.

>

> I just started the medication but realized that Iodoral is POTASSIUM iodide

and

> you're supposed to watch your potassium intake with spironolactone since it

> causes your body to hang on to potassium.

>

> I found this warning on the web:

>

> SPIRONOLACTONE in Spironolactone may interact with POTASSIUM IODIDE in

Potassium

> Iodide

> Spironolactone may prevent excess potassium from being removed from the body

in

> the urine. If this happens, blood levels of potassium could be increased and

> this could cause an increase in serious or potentially life-threatening side

> effects. Potential side effects that can occur with high blood levels of

> potassium include numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, muscle weakness,

> and confusion. In severe cases, this may cause a dangerous decrease in blood

> pressure, an abnormal heart rhythm, and death. An elevated blood level of

> potassium may result when spironolactone is taken with potassium iodide,

> especially when nutritional supplements or salt substitutes that contain

> potassium are used at the same time. Spironolactone and potassium iodide

should

> generally not be taken together unless your doctor determines that your blood

> level of potassium is abnormally low. If these drugs must be used together,

your

> doctor may want to monitor you on a regular basis to make sure that you are

not

> getting too much potassium. If you are experiencing problems, it may be

> necessary to adjust the dose of potassium iodide. Ask your healthcare provider

> about these drugs and this potential interaction as soon as possible.

>

> This interaction is well-documented and is considered major in severity.

> --

>

> Now I'm TERRIFIED!

>

> I don't have any doctors here with experience in iodine so of course they will

> tell me to stop using the Iodoral. I'm reluctant to give it up since I'm a

> thyroid cancer survivor and feel that I need to be on it for life (I actually

> was able to reduce my dose of thyroid hormone by 30 mg thanks to Iodoral).

>

> I am however willing to reduce my dose to a " maintenance dose " of maybe 12.5

or

> 25 mg instead of the 200mg.

>

> But I just can't stand the hormonal acne so I'm really struggling here with

what

> to do.

>

> Does anyone have any experience with this? Any thoughts would be greatly

> appreciated. Thank you.

>