Iodine and Thyroid Function Tests

The results of Ruth’s TSH (Thyrotropin Stimulating Hormone) was high at 5.01 mIU/L. The reference range is 0.40-4.00 mUI/L. Her doctor recommended a high dose of vitamin D -50,000 IU as treatment. This resulted in extreme night sweats and has no effect on thyroid function.

Being a vegan who does not appreciate seaweed, she started taking potassium iodine drops as per the recommendations.

Function

Iodine is a major component of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3). They are based on the amino acid tyrosine. T4 contains four iodine atoms and T3 three iodine atoms. The only known function of iodine is for the production of the thyroid hormones. Excess iodine is secreted in the urine.

Thyroid hormones are required for normal growth and development of the brain and central nervous system. It is required for energy production and oxygen consumption in cells and the maintenance of the metabolic rate.

The regulation of thyroid hormone synthesis, release, and action is a complex process involving the thyroid, the pituitary, the brain, and peripheral tissues.

The hypothalamus regulates the plasma concentrations of the thyroid hormones by controlling the release from the pituitary of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). If blood T4 falls, the secretion of TSH is increased, which enhances the activity of the thyroid and consequently the output of T4 into the circulation. T4 is converted to T3 which is the more potent form. 1

Risks of Deficiency

Risks of deficiency include: 2

  • Places where the soil is deficient in iodine
  • Pregnancy and lactation
  • Foods that inhibit thyroid function such as cassava, millet, brassicas (cabbage family).

Signs of Deficiency

Signs of deficiency of iodine include: 3

  • During pregnancy: increased risk of abortion and congenital defects
  • Infants: increased mortality, psychomotor and intellectual development, low activity of thyroid
  • Childhood: goitre, low activity of thyroid, impaired mental function and physical growth
  • Adulthood: goitre, low activity of thyroid, impaired mental function
  • Wight gain, fatigue, lack of energy, a slow heart rate, low blood pressure, hair loss, and dry skin
 

Normal Values

Normal values of iodine are listed below. 4 5

MeasureValuesComment
TSH, ThyrotropinClinical: 0.4 – 4.0 mIU/L
Optimal: 1.0 – 1.5 mUI/L
High TSH indicates low thyroid function and possible iodine deficiency
Free thyroxin, Free T4Clinical: 9 – 19 pmol/L
Optimal: 15 – 18 pmol/L
Free T4 is a more direct measure of thyroxin concentration. Low T4 indicates elevated TSH.
Free triiodothyronine, Free T3Clinical: 2.6 – 6.0 pmol/L
Optimal: 4.9 – 6.0 pmol/L
T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone. Low T3 indicates elevated TSH

Recommended Daily Intake

The recommended daily intake for adults is 150 µg/day. For those pregnant, it is 220 µg/day and 270 µg/day for those lactating. The upper limit is 1,100 µg/day which can be easily exceeded for those consuming seaweed or sausages containing thyroid extracts. 6

Sources

Marine foods such as seaweed, fish and shellfish contain the most iodine. Iodised salt is another source. In Australia, bread has been made with ionised salt since 2009. Most salt in food comes from processed foods which are usually non-iodised. 7

The Consequences

It took several years to realise the consequences of taking additional iodine.

Subsequent thyroid function tests showed TSH levels 5 times higher than reference range. Free T3 and Free T4 were normal. High TSH is indicative of an underactive thyroid. A thyroid antibody test was abnormally high which can be indicative of Hashimoto’s disease. This is one of the most common autoimmune diseases where the thyroid gland is gradually destroyed.

To correctly assess the status of iodine, a 24 hour urine iodine test is required. Urine is collected for a 24 hour period. A value of less than 100 μg/L is iodine deficient. The results of Ruth’s test showed iodine levels were more than 50 times higher than 100 μg/L.

The reference ranges shown are from the pathology report. Reference ranges can vary greatly from different laboratories and authorities. According to Michael Zimmermann of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology,”Levels less than 150 pmol/L indicate clear deficiency”. 8

TestUnitResultRef range
B12pmol / L2001135 - 650
TSHmIU / L21.00.40 - 5.00
PTHpmol / L9.81.6 - 6.9
Thyroid
Antbodies
IU / L10.3< 4.1
Vit B6 (P5P)nmol / L137020 - 190
Folatenmol / L28.74 - 22
The poor advice regarding iodine resulted in a few years of hidden sub-optimal health, trauma and unnecessary tests whilst the self-created problems with the thyroid function tests and antibody test were unravelled.

Last updated on Tuesday 16 January 2024 at 07:42 by administrators

Footnotes

  1. Samman, S. et al. (2017) ‘Trace Elements’, in Jim Mann & A. Stewart Truswell (eds.) Essentials of Human Nutrition. Fifth Edition London: Oxford University Press. p.177-184
  2. Pocket Guide to Micronutrients in Health and Disease Michael Zimmermann, MD Thieme Stuttgart New York 2001
  3. Pocket Guide to Micronutrients in Health and Disease Michael Zimmermann, MD Thieme Stuttgart New York 2001
  4. Pocket Guide to Micronutrients in Health and Disease Michael Zimmermann, MD Thieme Stuttgart New York 2001
  5. Williams, J. E. & Gianni, K. (n.d.) The Complete Blood Test Blueprint Program.
  6. Pocket Guide to Micronutrients in Health and Disease Michael Zimmermann, MD Thieme Stuttgart New York 2001
  7. U.S. Department of Agriculture (n.d.) USDA Food Composition Databases
  8. Pocket Guide to Micronutrients in Health and Disease Michael Zimmermann, MD Thieme Stuttgart New York 2001

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Center for Nutrition Studies

Center for Nutrition Studies