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

[Guest guest]

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.