Unknowingly taking too much Iodine? - Thyroid Disorders Message Board

Lev · 04-16-2003, 09:25 AM

Please excuse my ignorance.... Still in the learning stages.... With all my thyroid issues I've been really picky about what I take and eat as of late. I recently noticed that Centrum has 150 mcg of Iodine. I've been taking Centrum religiously once everyday for, at least, the past 9 years. My question is: Is this too much Iodine when combined with other foods like beer (non-alcoholic - ODUL'S), veggies, tuna, and other foods that contain Iodine?

[This message has been edited by Lev (edited 04-16-2003).]

wobbly · 04-16-2003, 06:31 PM

Oh baby, let me tell you what iodine can do! I have had Hashi's for 6 years--never had a problem with eating seafood or iodized salt (in other people's houses; I use kosher salt at home)--then this year I decided to be healthy and take a multivitamin. It contained the same amount of iodine as yours, and I took it for 50 days and felt myself getting a tiny bit more hypo as time went on. So I thought I better stop taking it--and when I did, it created a type of thyroiditis. I am now suffering (and I do mean SUFFERING) the effects--it feels like being hyper and hypo at the same time, is extremely miserable and only tolerable with beta blockers. I have missed 2 weeks of work and don't expect to go back for about a month.
HOWEVER, I must stress that this does not happen to everybody, only those whose thyroids are incapacitated or sensitive to the iodine. If I were you, I would definitely check with my doc. Maybe if you back off the iodine slowly you won't create the havoc I did. I don't know what all your thyroid issues are, but this is something I strongly advise getting your doc's assistance. I say it this strongly not to scare you but because I don't want anybody to go thru what I'm going thru!

Tree Frog · 04-16-2003, 10:13 PM

I agree, back off slowly. Perhaps you can break the tablets?

Lev · 04-17-2003, 08:38 AM

OK - Will do. I'll start taking half of the tablets a day and ask my doctor's opinion on my next visit. I am definately allergic to Shellfish (iodine) already, hives, itchy mouth etc etc.., so why did the Iodine in the multivitamin not cause a reaction? I really appreciate the responses..

[This message has been edited by Lev (edited 04-17-2003).]

wobbly · 04-17-2003, 09:26 AM

Is it definitely the iodine in shellfish you're sensitive to, or could it be something else in shellfish?
I don't know how much iodine is in shellfish vs. the vitamins, or whether chewing and swallowing vs. gulping down a pill might make some difference, or whether the source of the iodine matters. But iodine is very thyroactive. Here's a link explaining what happens when an impaired thyroid gets a good whallop of iodine: [url="http://www.tulane.edu/~icec/iddpressrel.htm"]The Jodbasedow Effect[/url] The article deals mostly with previously iodine-deficient subjects, but the same process happens to those with debilitated thyroids.
Hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by wobbly (edited 04-17-2003).]