Iodine Status/Thyroid Profiles

 

Iodine testing is important in Thyroid Conditions, Pregnancy, Fibrocystic Breast Disease, Breast Cancer, ADHD and learning difficulties.

 

THYROID

 

This is a useful test for anyone who is concerned about hypothyroid (under functioning thyroid) or already on thyroid medication but not feeling any better.  Symptoms of low thyroid function include -

 

INABILITY TO LOSE WEIGHT

FATIGUE

DEPRESSION

DRY SKIN

BRITTLE HAIR AND NAILS

COLD HANDS AND FEET

OVERSENSITIVE TO COLD

POOR MEMORY AND CONCENTRATION

UNCOORDINATED AND WEAK MUSCLES

CONSTIPATION

OUTER THIRD OF EYEBROWS THIN

LOW SEX DRIVE

 

It is possible to be on thyroid medication, have your blood tests say everything is ok and STILL HAVE SYMPTOMS.

It is because natural thyroid hormone is more complex than the medication which only does part of the job.  If your iodine is low, your thyroid will still be under functioning despite the medication.  If your SELENIUM is low, you will not be converting T4 (non-active thyroid hormone, thyroxine is in this form) to T3 (active thyroid hormone).

 

BREAST HEALTH

 

ALSO, iodine is vital for healthy breast tissue so even if you are doing well on thyroid medication, if you are concerned about breast cancer - you need iodine.  If you have fibrocystic breast disease (habitually lumpy breasts, usually worse just before menstruation) or have had breast cancer, it is prudent to check your iodine status.

 

PREGNANCY/ADHD and LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

 

Iodine is also important in pregnancy for fetal brain development which impacts learning ability in children. 

 

Low iodine in pregnancy can cause IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE to the developing brain of the baby resulting in ADHD and learning difficulties.

 

Best practise would be to check iodine status prepregnancy and at each trimester, however, the first is the most important. 

The iodine test can also be done on children you suspect might be having difficulties.

 

THE MAIN RISK FACTOR FOR LOW IODINE IS LOW SEAFOOD INTAKE.

 

THE CONSUMPTION OF FLUORIDATED WATER INCREASES NEED FOR IODINE.