Re: Labs, thyroid, and ? about iodine

[Guest guest]

, I can tell you my experience with Iodoral (actually I was using the

liquid version, Lugol's).

First, who is your MD?! I am in IL as well. It sounds like he must be very good.

I didn't think many MD's even knew about the loading test.

I didn't do the loading test, but I had symptoms of hypothyroid. I scored pretty

high on Shame's test, but my #1 problem is my adrenals.

On my own, I tried 25 mg Lugol's, which would be 2 Iodoral, I believe. I did

this for about 6 weeks. The first mistake I made is that I didn't ease into this

dose. I should have started much lower. One of these days, I will learn

patience...Anyway, early on I started getting more energy, motivation, and

better moods. I also started getting some hyperthyroid symptoms- hot face, feet,

and hands. Eventually I started getting some insomnia, but to be fair, I also

ran out of my 5-HTP and theanine at the same time. When I started the amino

acids again, the insomnia got better for a while, as long as I took the iodine

in the a.m. I tried increasing to 50 mg (I have no idea WHY I decided to do

this, I just didn't realize my symptoms were hyper). Well, in 2 days I realized

that was way too much.

I am not sure if I reached saturation level or if I am just not tolerating the

iodine well. I had to quit the small amount in my multi, too, at least

temporarily. About 3 days after I quit my hyper symptoms went away (recent blood

test confirmed my TSH is not hyper). It has now been a week, and I feel awesome!

I have to mention that it is also now 1 1/2 weeks, since I got the last of my

amalgams removed. That I am sure has something to do with how great I feel. For

the first time in many years, I am not cold all the time. My mood is very

uplifted, and I get off my butt to get things done. I am honestly not sure if it

will last, or if I will become hypo again. It might be short lived, because my

thyroid isn't getting any other support (except tyrosine that I take for the

adrenals). The iodine did appear to give my thyroid some sort of a " jump start "

to get working.

I just ordered a test from Canary Club to see where I am, since I haven't had

anything except my adrenals and neurotransmitters tested.

If I could do things over again, I would definitely have gotten a loading test.

I think there is a lot to the iodine therapy, but I think it is good to get the

test first so you know where you are. I also recommend Brownstein's books. If

you order the loading test through Dr. Flechas' lab (www.helpmythyroid.com), the

test includes a 15 min. consult with him. That is how I am going to take my

test. I would really like to speak with one of the leading researchers in this.

The test doesn't cost any more than if you get it done elsewhere, I don't think.

You might want to check out the iodine list, if you aren't already on it. There

are people on that list who needed to decrease their thyroid hormones after they

started iodine. I imagine your doctor would know all about keeping an eye on

that. Since you live in the Midwest, like I do, it might be a good decision to

start with iodine, and then add hormones as needed. It sounds like you will

probably need them though.

I have been taking 5-HTP for moods too. I also take tyrosine, for my dopamine,

epinephrine, norepinephrine, but tyrosine is also needed for the thyroid

hormones. Maybe your doctor could give you more info on adding tyrosine. My ND

added 5-HTP and theanine at the same time as tyrosine, though, because she

didn't want to give me amino acids to excite me and none to calm me. All my

neurotransmitters are low though- the calming and excitatory.

Good luck!

-Olif