How does Iodoral affect progesterone levels?

[Guest guest]

recently reported an article by Cann that states that progesterone enhances iodine uptake in the rat uterus and oviduct.

http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/84/2/821

As we try to unravel the relationship between iodine and progesterone, I found the following comments by Pat (moderator of Hormones and Health Naturally) of interest.

While assisting women in adjusting their hormone levels, Pat has noticed that Iodoral raises progesterone.

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[following is quoted from #1404 HHN, with permission]

After using Iodoral for several years with careful baseline and monitoring testing, I have found Iodoral raises Progesterone but not necessarily from large doses, unless someone considers all Iodoral a high dose (which would be the conventional view).

Three representative examples:

1.) Woman age 40.

High Progesterone and high suffering at period on Iodoral @ 1/day.

Periods had been smooth for years after beginning low dose Progesterone cream. Doing well at half an Iodoral/day, for 2 last years.

2.) Woman age 54.

High Progesterone, extended monthly cycle and lots of suffering on Iodoral at 2/day.

Doing well with perfect Progesterone level on Iodoral at 1/day. Without Progesterone supplementation.

3.) Woman age 84.

Entire well being improved on Iodoral at 1/day. Progesterone normalized after years of too low - too high yo-yo pattern.

Even better on Iodoral at 2/day. Progesterone remained normal without Progesterone supplementation.

Great on Iodoral at 3/ day. Progesterone normal. Hyper-thyroid condition normalized.

Crashed on Iodoral at 4/day. Progesterone went Way too high. Thyroid went too low. Poor woman could barely function.

Resumed Iodoral at 3/day. Progesterone and thyroid normalized after years of trouble with each.

All menopause hormones currently normal without any hormone supplementation - at age 84! - but still taking Iodoral at 3/day.

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So successful Iodoral doses were 1/2, 1 & 3 per day.

All got very severe problems exceeding these amounts.

In other words, some got into trouble at a dose as low as one. Others only got into trouble at a dose of 4/day.

There is no easy way to predict who will respond in what way. So I go up slowly.

Start at 1/2 per day. Go up slowly by 1/2 or 1 per step.

We test thyroid by serum & saliva at each step. We test male/female hormones by saliva at each step.

I will not continue with a dose that suppresses the thyroid [not referring to 'suppresses TSH'] or pushes Progesterone too high or makes a person feel worse.

With everyone there seems to be a point where it all comes together: The patient feels good and the thyroid and hormone scores are correct.

But there is no simple Iodoral formula to find that. Optimal Iodoral doses seem to vary considerably.

The most common problem when that optimal dose is exceeded is low thyroid & /or high progesterone.

I note subjective responses and work to keep the person happy and well. But I do not conclude high Progesterone or low Progesterone based only on how they feel. I determine the Progesterone level by objective testing.

Too many report Iodoral does this or that to their Estrogen or Progesterone. These comments tend to be wrong and unfounded since so many misunderstand where their actual levels are when they feel this or that.

The problem is that most people do not know enough about these hormones to knowledgeably, accurately say "It is because my progesterone or estrogen is this or that."

It is also because of the inherent complexity of the hormone interactions. Even knowledgeable, experienced help often will guess wrong.

I ask and note what they think is going on. Then we test to know for sure. The guesses are usually wrong. Sorry.

I note carefully in advance what everyone thinks. But we confirm by appropriate saliva testing.

<snip>

Pat

HormonesandHealth-Naturally/