Iodine deficiency: Testing yourself, and treatment
Posted on: September 16, 2006 | Posted in: Hypothyroid Supplements
Apparently, from what I’m reading now, iodine deficiency is more common than you might think. It is also incredibly easy to test for basic iodine deficiency at home. Now, this test is not very precise, so if it indicates a serious deficiency, you may want to talk to your doctor about getting what is known as an “iodine loading” test done. But, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, no?
So, you’ll need a bottle of tincture of iodine (2%), the standard orange antiseptic liquid from grandma’s medicine cabinet (You may need to ask at the pharmacy. My local store doesn’t stock it in the first aid/band-aid aisle). Swab a silver-dollar sized circle on the inside of your arm, and watch it for the next 24 hours. If you are not iodine deficient, the circle should keep a strong orange color for the whole 24 hours. If it fades before then, you could use iodine supplementation.
HOW to go about getting that iodine in your diet is where things start to get tricky.
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Medical Records to Date
Posted on: September 14, 2006 | Posted in: My Story
Here it is: the bare-bones history of my test results, vital stats and prescriptions since my first TSH test in September. In most cases, the prescription and vitals listed for a particular month were taken/written ~4 days after the blood tests were drawn, so I’ve just grouped them all together.
- September 2005
- Labs: (27 Sept.) TSH: 150.0 uIU/mL (normal: 0.350–5.500)
Vitals: T:98.5 BP:124/92 HR:68 W:199.25 - October 2005
- Labs: (06 Oct.) T4, Free (Direct): 0.36 ng/dL (normal 0.61–1.76)
Triiodothyronine, Free, Serum (T3): 1.5 pg/mL (normal: 2.3–4.2)
Vitals: T:98.3 BP:108/82 HR:70 W:198.5
Prescription: 125mcg levothyroxine (generic) - Thyromine (thyroid/adrenal glandular with supportive herbs and amino acids)
- TwinLab Women’s Ultra Daily Multivitamin (has a lot of herbal ingredients on top of a very complete multi-vit … including selenium and 100% iodine) [added: I read the back of the bottle, and realized the values on the label were for a dose of FOUR capsules. So I'm taking two, which is still more than 100% of most things.]
- NOW B-50 (I’m debating whether I need this … The TwinLab multi covers the same nutrients as the B-50. But I figure that just means it’s the equivalent of taking a B-100, right?)
- Schiff “Guided Mineral” Cal-Mag-Zinc (chelated, plus Vit. D for proper absorption) [added: You're supposed to take two of these as well. Eep!]
Went in for initial exam, had a gazillion blood tests ordered.
Returned for test results, was given initial prescription, and sent for more bloodwork.
My current regimen
Posted on: August 14, 2006 | Posted in: Hypothyroid Supplements, My Story
Well, here’s what I’m going to be taking starting later this week (when my old vitamin packs run out):
Morning:
Mid afternoon: 30mg Armour
Late afternoon: 30mg Armour
Bedtime: 45mg Armour Read more
Update, finally! (more Armour adjustments)
Posted on: August 1, 2006 | Posted in: My Story
So, I met with my PhA last week, and got a new prescription (yet AGAIN … AUGH!!!). Taking two 120mg of Armour per day pushed my TSH down to .035, while leaving my Free T’s not-very-different from the previous 90mg/day dose (which left my TSH at 2.4, as I recall?). But I’d been losing weight and feeling pretty good, so I practically begged to be left at the 120mg/day dose. No dice.
Now I am taking 1/2 of a 90mg pill at bed time, and a 60mg pill during the day. For the time being, I am splitting the 60mg into two 30mg doses, because I noticed serious drowsiness hitting at around 7-8pm (even before the new ’scrip). So, schedule is as follows: 45mg at bedtime, Thyromine/vitamins first thing in the morning, 30mg Armour around 2-3pm, 30mg Armour around 7-8pm.
I woke up at around 8am today, feeling more alert than I had in any recent mornings … so the lower dose may be an improvement? Lord, I hope so.
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Natural Supplements: Thyromine
Posted on: July 19, 2006 | Posted in: Hypothyroid Supplements
I ordered a 6 month supply of Thyromine (their “buy 4 get 2 free” deal), and expected to have to use it for at least a couple weeks before I could really say if it was helping at all, but much to my surprise the effects were almost immediate. I’ve tried various vitamins and other “thyroid support” supplements, and none of them has made as noticeable a difference as Thyromine has. It’s a rather spendy product (which is why I opted for the 6 month supply … the discount was very persuasive. ;-), but so far I think it’s quite worth it.
The three “active” ingredients are l-tyrosine (an amino acid), bovine thyroid powder and bovine adrenal powder. In addition, there are four herbal/nutritional ingredients: Guglipid, which I have seen in many thyroid supplements; Nori, a seaweed rich in iodine and trace minerals; Piper longum (long pepper) extract, which they say helps increase thyroid hormone production; Ginger extract, which is often recommended as a systemic herbal “tonic” and digestive aid.
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