Re: Re: Thyroid Hormone and Iodine/Breast Issues - Dr. Flechas

[Guest guest]

Thyroid hormone is regulated by TSH. When you have more thyroid hormone, the TSH goes down. When you have low amounts of thyroid hormone, the TSH goes up (to signal the thyroid that more hormones are needed).

TSH also controls the expression of the NIS (the symporter that moves iodide into the cells) in the thyroid. If TSH is high, that increases the number of NIS and thereby the uptake of iodide in the thyroid. [Note: The NIS in other parts of the body are not necessarily controlled by TSH. For example, the TSH does NOT regulate the NIS in the breast.]

Thus, if you take TH, your TSH will go down, and the NIS will go down, thus reducing the ability of the thyroid to absorb iodide.

However, this should not be true in the breast since the NIS in the breast are not regulated by TSH.

Given the above, I don't think Flechas' statement is correct. I know of no reason that increased TH would affect the ability of the breast to absorb iodine.

Zoe

----- Original Message -----

From: alexisandtim_fl So there must be more to it - perhaps synthroid blocks iodine but not natural.> ----- Original Message ----- > > > > > Thyroid Hormones and Iodine Absorption. Supplemental Thyroid Hormones> > inhibit the ability of the body to absorb iodine, thus increasing> > breast cancer risk.> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have a very low TSH due to Armour. I was so low my

doctor wanted to decrease the Armour but I felt much better at the higher

dose. How do I raise the NIS so my thyroid can use the iodine I am taking.

The iodine is helping me in other area but I do not think it is helping my

thyroid. My thyroid symptoms have not improved since I have been on

the iodine. I have been on it for about 6 weeks.

Thank you,

Sue

Thus, if you take TH, your TSH will go down, and the NIS

will go down, thus reducing the ability of the thyroid to absorb iodide.

Zoe

[Guest guest]

Excellent questions. I wish I knew the answers.

Personally, I have had to increase my Armour from 2 to 6 since starting Iodoral. I have now cut back to 6 mg per day, but I have still not been able to decrease my Armour from the 6.

The extra iodine seems to be mostly helpful for those at the early stages of starting TH, those at very low doses for a short time.

Some people maintain that excess iodine contributes to hypothyroidism.

At this point, I don't know what is true with respect to how iodine affects hypoT conditions.

Iodine certainly seems to be helpful for breast conditions, cancer, and skin -- and probably a lot of other things, too.

I'm just not sure that it improves hypoT, unless the hypoT is due to low iodine.

Zoe

RE: Re: Thyroid Hormone and Iodine/Breast Issues - Dr. Flechas

Hi,

I have a very low TSH due to Armour. I was so low my doctor wanted to decrease the Armour but I felt much better at the higher dose. How do I raise the NIS so my thyroid can use the iodine I am taking. The iodine is helping me in other area but I do not think it is helping my thyroid. My thyroid symptoms have not improved since I have been on the iodine. I have been on it for about 6 weeks.

Thank you,

Sue

Thus, if you take TH, your TSH will go down, and the NIS will go down, thus reducing the ability of the thyroid to absorb iodide.

Zoe

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[Guest guest]

You are correct Olif. That is what Dr. B says too. The increased metabolic rate increases the need for iodine. So if you are not getting enough and are on thyroid meds you will become more deficient. This is even true for those of us w/o thyroids since the body requires iodine in total.

Steph

Re: Thyroid Hormone and Iodine/Breast Issues - Dr. Flechas

Zoe:

"Given the above, I don't think Flechas' statement is correct. I know of no reason that increased TH would affect the ability of the breast to absorb iodine."

I just read Brownstein's Iodine book again the other day, and I was paging through his thyroid and hormone books while at Dr. Bain's office yesterday. I can't remember which book I read it in and my memory isn't good enough to give a very useful reply, but I will try with the very little I remember!

Anyway, I remember reading something about thyroid hormone increasing the body's demand for iodine. I believe it is because it speads up metabolism, but I can't recall for sure. With the thyroid working better, it is using more iodine. For this reason, he said it is harder on the thyroid to start Armour (or other thyroid hormone, I imagine) without simultaneously or very soon after starting iodine as well. I think he says the thyroid will take it before any other place in the body, like the breasts, gets a chance to have it. Maybe this was in his hormone book. I really can't recall for sure.

HTH at least a tad!

-Olif

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I am now wondering if I should lower my Armour so my TSH will

rise. I am taking 90mg. My puffy eyes worsened when I added in the

iodine and I continue to have a low body temperature. If I raise my

Armour to get rid of my hypo symptoms I still won’t be getting the iodine

into my thyroid since my TSH will be very low. Is that a correct

assumption? What is better for the body, no hypo symptoms on higher TM or

lower TM and iodine being able to get into the thyroid?

Thank you for all the help I have received.

Sue

Thyroid hormone is regulated by TSH. When you have

more thyroid hormone, the TSH goes down. When you have low amounts of

thyroid hormone, the TSH goes up (to signal the thyroid that more hormones are

needed).

TSH also controls the expression of the NIS (the symporter

that moves iodide into the cells) in the thyroid. If TSH is high, that

increases the number of NIS and thereby the uptake of iodide in the

thyroid. [Note: The NIS in other parts of the body are not

necessarily controlled by TSH. For example, the TSH does NOT regulate the

NIS in the breast.]

Thus, if you take TH, your TSH will go down, and the NIS

will go down, thus reducing the ability of the thyroid to absorb iodide.

[Guest guest]

do you mean Iodoral cut back to 6mg? Armour 6 grains? I wonder why you wouldn't continue on 50mg Iodoral like the iodine docs? I guess you don't see any benefit to it?

I recently tried to drop evening dose of Iodoral but just couldn't do it. I have stayed on 4 grains Armour throughout.

Gracia

Excellent questions. I wish I knew the answers.

Personally, I have had to increase my Armour from 2 to 6 since starting Iodoral. I have now cut back to 6 mg per day, but I have still not been able to decrease my Armour from the 6.

The extra iodine seems to be mostly helpful for those at the early stages of starting TH, those at very low doses for a short time.

Some people maintain that excess iodine contributes to hypothyroidism.

At this point, I don't know what is true with respect to how iodine affects hypoT conditions.

Iodine certainly seems to be helpful for breast conditions, cancer, and skin -- and probably a lot of other things, too.

I'm just not sure that it improves hypoT, unless the hypoT is due to low iodine.

Zoe

RE: Re: Thyroid Hormone and Iodine/Breast Issues - Dr. Flechas

Hi,

I have a very low TSH due to Armour. I was so low my doctor wanted to decrease the Armour but I felt much better at the higher dose. How do I raise the NIS so my thyroid can use the iodine I am taking. The iodine is helping me in other area but I do not think it is helping my thyroid. My thyroid symptoms have not improved since I have been on the iodine. I have been on it for about 6 weeks.

Thank you,

Sue

Thus, if you take TH, your TSH will go down, and the NIS will go down, thus reducing the ability of the thyroid to absorb iodide.

Zoe

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[Guest guest]

Ann, it sounds like you are dealing with hyper issues. Are you taking any thyroid hormones? Zoe

Hi Zoe, I'd really appreciate hearing what research you are referring to. I too have had difficulty taking higher amounts....feeling hyper and having trouble sleeping. I am now up to 2 Iodoral per day. Ann

On 5-May-07, at 2:02 PM, Zoe & wrote:

I've read enough research that shows problems at mg doses of iodine that I didn't want to continue at 50 mg without perceiving a clear benefit.

[Guest guest]

yes I am wondering too. iodine docs don't say this. Seems like Zoe is resistant at cellular level.

Gracia

Hi Zoe, I'd really appreciate hearing what research you are referring to. I too have had difficulty taking higher amounts....feeling hyper and having trouble sleeping. I am now up to 2 Iodoral per day. Ann

On 5-May-07, at 2:02 PM, Zoe & wrote:

I've read enough research that shows problems at mg doses of iodine that I didn't want to continue at 50 mg without perceiving a clear benefit.

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