iodine and selenium
delikium
Posts: 196 Member
Hi everyone,
I'm hoping to get some answers from you with all your experience.
I have been to the doctor a few months ago because a bug. That day the doctor had a look at my throat and said I had swollen thyroid. She advised me to come back for blood tests, but I never did. I know it wasn't smart of me, but back then I didn't know really what she was on about or how serious this could be and I was broke..
So few weeks ago I was browsing on the internet out of curiosity and of course got bombarded with all sort of information.
That's when I realized that I do have many 'symptoms' of a thyroid imbalance.
Now I'm still reluctant to go back to the doctor because I don't want to be pressurized in using chemical medications, as most medication comes with a list of side effects. And I'm not sure if that would be an overall improvement of my well-being. =S
I read that a cause of thyroid imbalance is a lack of certain nutrition like iodine and selenium.
I've started taking iodine (sea kelp) and selenium supplements for nearly 3 weeks (and healthy lifestyle) and I have felt an improvement.
Now I don't have depressed days at all, more energy (even in the mornings), the cracked skin of my foot soles has vanished, I'm not gaining weight by just looking at food anymore and I have this warm fuzzy feeling of happiness.
Is this all placebo effect?
My question to you is, has anyone tried to re-balance the thyroid through nutrition and supplements?
Do you thinks this can work? If so how long will it take?
PLS let me know you opinions about this, I would value them a lot. Thanx!!
I'm hoping to get some answers from you with all your experience.
I have been to the doctor a few months ago because a bug. That day the doctor had a look at my throat and said I had swollen thyroid. She advised me to come back for blood tests, but I never did. I know it wasn't smart of me, but back then I didn't know really what she was on about or how serious this could be and I was broke..
So few weeks ago I was browsing on the internet out of curiosity and of course got bombarded with all sort of information.
That's when I realized that I do have many 'symptoms' of a thyroid imbalance.
Now I'm still reluctant to go back to the doctor because I don't want to be pressurized in using chemical medications, as most medication comes with a list of side effects. And I'm not sure if that would be an overall improvement of my well-being. =S
I read that a cause of thyroid imbalance is a lack of certain nutrition like iodine and selenium.
I've started taking iodine (sea kelp) and selenium supplements for nearly 3 weeks (and healthy lifestyle) and I have felt an improvement.
Now I don't have depressed days at all, more energy (even in the mornings), the cracked skin of my foot soles has vanished, I'm not gaining weight by just looking at food anymore and I have this warm fuzzy feeling of happiness.
Is this all placebo effect?
My question to you is, has anyone tried to re-balance the thyroid through nutrition and supplements?
Do you thinks this can work? If so how long will it take?
PLS let me know you opinions about this, I would value them a lot. Thanx!!
0
Replies
-
Hi Delikium!
I've been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism (slow) NOT through the drs but through a naturopath!
I've been on his herbal supplements for about 6months now and yes, you're right mainly kelp but I am so glad I did go the natural path first instead of going down the Medical path. Hate taking meds!
Also Google coconut oil and the benefits of. I recently lost 4.5inches of my waist and 2.5 inches of my thighs doing nothing but taking Coconut oil! I can't do exercise atm because I'm doing Bowen therapy but if you look into it, it boosts thyroid function amazingly!
But do at least get yourself checked out, at least by a naturopath so they can advise you on which course to take.
And all the best with it!!!0 -
I've been upping my coconut oil intake based on info. here and other places and I can definitely tell a difference - almost to the point of wondering if someday I'll be able to go off of my Armour thyroid. I jumped right down the medical path when I was diagnosed because I was desperate to end my bout with infertility. Armour fit the bill and I'm currently nursing my 9 month old while I type!
Anyways, if I hadn't been desperate for an immediate correction I would've definitely tried the natural path first. You can always do something more medical later if you feel like that's what you need! 0 -
If your doctor said you had a goiter (swollen/enlarged thyroid), then one of the main reasons can be low iodine, especially if you don't cook with iodized salt. If you use sea salt or kosher salt in cooking or no salt at all, you may be missing iodine. There was a recent study that came out in the UK about low iodine in western cultures because people are avoiding salt for health reasons.
There are other reasons for an enlarged thyroid - Grave's disease, Hashimotos, thyroiditis, etc.
Just be careful with iodine supplementation. It can make some goiters worse. Iodine can also be harmful in large doses unlike some other vitamins/minerals. Lifestyle changes I think can definitely help.
Here's a BBC article on the UK study: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-130345820
This discussion has been closed.