"Do You Need an Iodine Supplement?"

ISSUE 147, 22nd February 2024

Welcome to all members of our thyroid family, new and old. It's lovely to have you here and a part of our thyroid family. 🤗

This free email newsletter goes out every two weeks on a Thursday.

I hope you'll find this issue inspiring, reassuring and useful in your own thyroid journey.

My aim is to share the information you need to live well with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's, as well as keep you up-to-date with what I'm doing in the thyroidsphere!

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Thursday Thoughts

We're bombarded with magic cures and treatment for hypothyroidism. Is Iodine one of those?

If I had a penny for every time someone has asked if we should take an iodine supplement...

Iodine is an essential micronutrient which we obtain from food in very small amounts, and this is ok - we only need small amounts. Salt is often high in iodine, as is fish, dairy and eggs, so it's easy to get enough.

However, many years ago, certain parts of the world were more susceptible to iodine deficiency-caused hypothyroidism, making it a very common cause of hypothyroidism. But this isn't the case for most countries now. In fact, the most common cause of hypothyroidism now is Hashimoto's.

Patients may take an iodine supplement in the hopes that it will cure their hypothyroidism and even get them off thyroid meds, but 99% of us do not need to supplement iodine. Despite all the internet ads and Instagram accounts trying to convince us that we do, we do not. And taking a supplement that you do not need can cause more harm than good.

I don't recommend taking any supplements unless you know for sure that you need them. So get tested first and talk to your doctor and pharmacist.

MANY thyroid patients reach out to me to say they started an iodine supplement in order to improve their thyroid symptoms, only to find it made them 10x worse.
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💊 Too much iodine is a bad idea!!

Find this helpful?! SO MUCH MORE crucial thyroid info is covered in my number 1 bestselling thyroid book "Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate".

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Thursday Health Check-in

After finding out that my iron and Vitamin D were very low last month, I have continued to supplement in high doses and am already feeling better for it. I'll be testing levels soon to see where I am!

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Outro -

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​This newsletter includes thyroid research, events, news, articles, discounts, tips, advice, and links to popular social media posts from the last fortnight. Enjoy reading!

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- Rachel Hill, The Invisible Hypothyroidism

Follow Rachel on: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Twitter​

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Sponsor a future issue of this newsletter and share your services or product with over 8,400 readers. 😊

Interested? Find out more here and email me for more info!

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• You can now subscribe to my Instagram for exclusive content!
• My LetsGetChecked discount code is 25INVISIBLE for 25% off.
• My Medichecks discount code is INVISIBLE10 for 10% off.
• I'm currently working my way through the hundreds of articles on my website and updating them one by one. Making sure information is still up to date and relevant is really important.

Teprotumumab Improves Proptosis in Thyroid Eye Disease

Teprotumumab significantly improved proptosis versus placebo in longstanding/low inflammation thyroid eye disease (TED) according to data.

​Read more here.​

Thyroid Hormone Resistance

Thyroid hormone resistance (THR) is a rare genetic condition.

It occurs when the body doesn’t respond ‘normally’ to hormones produced by the thyroid gland.

This condition may be suspected when someone’s Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level is not responding to an increase in thyroid medication, or their doctor suspects they are not absorbing their medication.

​Read this new article here.​

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10 Ways To Solve Thyroid Fatigue

Fatigue is by far the most complained of thyroid symptom.

Many of us experience this heavy, indescribable fatigue before diagnosis of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, and for many, it may not entirely go away once on thyroid medication either. Why?

​Read it here.​

The Most Popular Post from My Instagram page in The Last Fortnight:

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The Most Popular Reels From My Instagram page in The Last Fortnight:

• ​Myxoedema Coma​
• ​My story of diagnosis and remission​
• ​Thyroid tired is different to normal tired​
• ​Don't assume its all your thyroid​

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Catching an Illness When You Already Have Hypothyroidism

When someone already lives with a health condition such as hypothyroidism, which causes symptoms such as heavy fatigue, muscle pain and sleep disruptions, catching an illness can not only introduce new symptoms, such as sickness, diarrhoea, fever and chills for example, but it can worsen preexisting ones, too.

​Read this post here.

This is where I share my favourite thyroid health supporting tools and resources every fortnight. 😊

📖 Book: Thyroid Disease in a Nutshell

I'm almost done with my current book and ready to properly finish this one!

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👂 Podcast Episode: Goode Health Podcast: Goitrogens and Hashimoto's​

Nicole focuses on the topic of goitrogens and their impact on thyroid conditions, particularly Hashimoto's. Nicole also breaks down the difference between food goitrogens and chemical goitrogens, explaining that food goitrogens, found in cruciferous vegetables and certain fruits, are actually beneficial for thyroid patients, contrary to outdated research.

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🥘 Recipe: Sicilian All-In-One Pasta​

We made this last week. Easy to make gluten-free and already dairy-free.

You can read more on my approach to diet / dietary changes with thyroid disease here.

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🧪 Test: Vitamin D

Did you know that many people with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s also have low Vitamin D levels?

Actually a hormone, Vitamin D is important for our joints, energy levels, immune system and also ties in to our thyroid hormones too. After all, a deficiency in Vitamin D can stop T3 from correcting your metabolic rate, leaving you with symptoms such as low energy, cold intolerance and weight gain.

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You can find a UK Vitamin D test option here, with a worldwide test option here. Doctors are often happy to check for this common deficiency, but not always. So ordering your own test can be a valuable resource.

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💙 Self-Care Nugget: My Article: 5 Ways To Practise Thyroid Self-Care​

I have recently updated this article! Please take a look.

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🌟 Other things I'm loving at the moment:

• Iron bisglycinate for my low iron levels. This brand has returned my levels to optimal within 8 weeks previously, so I'm using them again.
• ​Snag tights. Made to fit all body shapes and sizes.

That's all for this issue of The Thyroid Family Newsletter, but you can find more information and support:

⭐ In my website articles​

⭐ In my books​

⭐ In the 'Thyroid Family' Facebook Support Group​

⭐ On my Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Twitter

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Keep an eye out for the next issue in two weeks' time!

Rachel Hill, The Invisible Hypothyroidism

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Please Note: None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product, including any sponsored content. I strongly suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. The information included in this publication is not meant to substitute the clinical guidance provided by a healthcare professional. Rachel Hill / The Invisible Hypothyroidism is not medically qualified and does not offer medical advice. Read the full disclaimer here. By reading this newsletter, you agree to understanding this information.

This newsletter may also contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through it. This does not change the way I work or the products I link to, and it doesn’t change your user experience. To find out more information, please read my disclosure statement. For example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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