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Testosterone Replacement, Low T, HCG, & Beyond
Blood Test Discussion
Thyroid lab for review
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<blockquote data-quote="Vince" data-source="post: 34410" data-attributes="member: 843"><p><strong>Are you iodine deficient?</strong></p><p></p><p>Ironically, health-conscious people are the most likely to develop iodine deficiency. People who avoid iodized salt and processed foods are the most likely to lack iodine. </p><p></p><p>Athletes and people engaged in heavy physical effort lose iodine through perspiration, increasing need for iodine.[SUP]9[/SUP] In one study of high school soccer players, 38.5% of the students were severely iodine deficient.[SUP]15[/SUP] Vegetarians also have substantially greater likelihood of iodine deficiency than carnivorous people, since iodine content in foods of plant origin are less rich in iodine; one study demonstrated iodine deficiency in 25% of vegetarians and an incredible 80% of vegans.[SUP]16[/SUP]</p><p></p><p>While urinary (“spot” or 24-hour urine collection) testing is used in epidemiologic studies to assess iodine adequacy in a population, the method suffers from great day-to-day variation in specific individuals and is therefore not generally used in day-to-day practice (Andersen S 2001).[SUP]17[/SUP]</p><p></p><p>With difficulty in assessing a specific individual’s iodine status, indirect assessment can be made by looking for signs of hypothyroidism. When iodine intake is inadequate, thyroid hormone production suffers, resulting in hypothyroidism. The most common symptoms include abnormal fatigue, intolerance to cold, cold hands and feet, foggy thinking or difficulty concentrating, increased need for sleep, dry skin, thinning hair, and constipation. The presence of any of these symptoms is suggestive of low thyroid hormone levels and possibly low iodine levels.</p><p></p><p>Body temperature provides insights into thyroid health, since the thyroid is the body’s thermoregulatory organ. Do this by taking an oral temperature first upon arising (not after brushing your teeth, making the bed, drinking coffee, etc.). This approximation of the body’s lowest overnight temperature reflects thyroid status.[SUP]18[/SUP] Oral temperatures consistently <97.3° F suggest hypothyroidism; consistently <97.0° F almost certainly reflects hypothyroidism.</p><p></p><p>Laboratory assessment of thyroid status can be helpful. Although the ideal range for the commonly measured thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is debated, the newest data, such as that from the HUNT study of 25,000 participants, argue that ideal TSH is 1.4 mIU/l or less, not the usual 5.5 mIU/l cited by most laboratories.[SUP]19 [/SUP]The typical pattern of iodine deficiency revealed by thyroid testing is <em>increased TSH</em> with <em>lower levels of thyroid hormones, free T4 and free T3</em> (often in the lower range of normal).[SUP]20[/SUP] If iodine deficiency is at fault, thyroid measures generally gravitate back to a more favorable range with iodine replacement.</p><p></p><p><strong>Should you supplement iodine?</strong></p><p></p><p>Everyone needs iodine. Just as anyone deprived of vitamin C will develop scurvy, iodine is likewise essential¾without it and health suffers profoundly. </p><p></p><p>Conventional wisdom holds that iodine deficiency is rare, since everyone presumably obtains sufficient quantities through iodized salt and processed foods. But the emerging data suggest otherwise, including growing iodine deficiency in the most health conscious. Obtaining iodine through use of iodized salt is both unreliable and potentially unhealthy, since salt increases blood pressure and causes fluid retention in susceptible individuals. Iodine content of salt is also inconsistent. </p><p></p><p>While the RDA for iodine remains at 150 mcg per day, it is not clear that 150 mcg is sufficient for perfect thyroid health. The dose for ideal health may be higher, perhaps substantially higher, in people who exercise, vegans, vegetarians, and in anyone who has experienced a period of iodine scarcity that has depleted iodine stores. [</p><p></p><p>Several forms of iodine are available as single supplements. Note that many multivitamins and multiminerals contain the RDA of 150 mcg. Kelp is one useful source of multiple forms of iodine (sodium iodide, potassium iodide, iodine, and protein-bound iodine) that mimics the Japanese experience of consuming seaweed. Potassium iodide is available as a nutritional supplement. While Lugol’s solution, a mixture of potassium iodide and iodine, was prescribed in years past as an iodine supplement, it is available in a tablet form known as Iodoral, containing 7.5 mg (7500 mcg) potassium iodide and 5.0 mg (5000 mcg) iodine. (This is the form preferred by proponents of very high-dose iodine replacement.)</p><p></p><p>In my clinic, as part of our effort to achieve heart disease prevention and reversal, I have patients increase iodine intake to 500-1000 mcg per day range. Side-effects with this dose are very unusual. </p><p></p><p>If hypothyroidism is present, iodine intake may need to be individualized by your healthcare provider. Rarely, someone with hypothyroidism will develop an abnormal thyroid response to iodine.[SUP]21[/SUP] This occurs because iodine deficiency present before correction perturbs thyroid function; restoring iodine can worsenthe situation temporarily and trigger transient excessive thyroid activity.</p><p></p><p>But don’t be frightened of iodine. It is no more dangerous than a generous application of iodized salt on your evening meal.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Vince, post: 34410, member: 843"] [B]Are you iodine deficient?[/B] Ironically, health-conscious people are the most likely to develop iodine deficiency. People who avoid iodized salt and processed foods are the most likely to lack iodine. Athletes and people engaged in heavy physical effort lose iodine through perspiration, increasing need for iodine.[SUP]9[/SUP] In one study of high school soccer players, 38.5% of the students were severely iodine deficient.[SUP]15[/SUP] Vegetarians also have substantially greater likelihood of iodine deficiency than carnivorous people, since iodine content in foods of plant origin are less rich in iodine; one study demonstrated iodine deficiency in 25% of vegetarians and an incredible 80% of vegans.[SUP]16[/SUP] While urinary (“spot” or 24-hour urine collection) testing is used in epidemiologic studies to assess iodine adequacy in a population, the method suffers from great day-to-day variation in specific individuals and is therefore not generally used in day-to-day practice (Andersen S 2001).[SUP]17[/SUP] With difficulty in assessing a specific individual’s iodine status, indirect assessment can be made by looking for signs of hypothyroidism. When iodine intake is inadequate, thyroid hormone production suffers, resulting in hypothyroidism. The most common symptoms include abnormal fatigue, intolerance to cold, cold hands and feet, foggy thinking or difficulty concentrating, increased need for sleep, dry skin, thinning hair, and constipation. The presence of any of these symptoms is suggestive of low thyroid hormone levels and possibly low iodine levels. Body temperature provides insights into thyroid health, since the thyroid is the body’s thermoregulatory organ. Do this by taking an oral temperature first upon arising (not after brushing your teeth, making the bed, drinking coffee, etc.). This approximation of the body’s lowest overnight temperature reflects thyroid status.[SUP]18[/SUP] Oral temperatures consistently <97.3° F suggest hypothyroidism; consistently <97.0° F almost certainly reflects hypothyroidism. Laboratory assessment of thyroid status can be helpful. Although the ideal range for the commonly measured thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is debated, the newest data, such as that from the HUNT study of 25,000 participants, argue that ideal TSH is 1.4 mIU/l or less, not the usual 5.5 mIU/l cited by most laboratories.[SUP]19 [/SUP]The typical pattern of iodine deficiency revealed by thyroid testing is [I]increased TSH[/I] with [I]lower levels of thyroid hormones, free T4 and free T3[/I] (often in the lower range of normal).[SUP]20[/SUP] If iodine deficiency is at fault, thyroid measures generally gravitate back to a more favorable range with iodine replacement. [B]Should you supplement iodine?[/B] Everyone needs iodine. Just as anyone deprived of vitamin C will develop scurvy, iodine is likewise essential¾without it and health suffers profoundly. Conventional wisdom holds that iodine deficiency is rare, since everyone presumably obtains sufficient quantities through iodized salt and processed foods. But the emerging data suggest otherwise, including growing iodine deficiency in the most health conscious. Obtaining iodine through use of iodized salt is both unreliable and potentially unhealthy, since salt increases blood pressure and causes fluid retention in susceptible individuals. Iodine content of salt is also inconsistent. While the RDA for iodine remains at 150 mcg per day, it is not clear that 150 mcg is sufficient for perfect thyroid health. The dose for ideal health may be higher, perhaps substantially higher, in people who exercise, vegans, vegetarians, and in anyone who has experienced a period of iodine scarcity that has depleted iodine stores. [ Several forms of iodine are available as single supplements. Note that many multivitamins and multiminerals contain the RDA of 150 mcg. Kelp is one useful source of multiple forms of iodine (sodium iodide, potassium iodide, iodine, and protein-bound iodine) that mimics the Japanese experience of consuming seaweed. Potassium iodide is available as a nutritional supplement. While Lugol’s solution, a mixture of potassium iodide and iodine, was prescribed in years past as an iodine supplement, it is available in a tablet form known as Iodoral, containing 7.5 mg (7500 mcg) potassium iodide and 5.0 mg (5000 mcg) iodine. (This is the form preferred by proponents of very high-dose iodine replacement.) In my clinic, as part of our effort to achieve heart disease prevention and reversal, I have patients increase iodine intake to 500-1000 mcg per day range. Side-effects with this dose are very unusual. If hypothyroidism is present, iodine intake may need to be individualized by your healthcare provider. Rarely, someone with hypothyroidism will develop an abnormal thyroid response to iodine.[SUP]21[/SUP] This occurs because iodine deficiency present before correction perturbs thyroid function; restoring iodine can worsenthe situation temporarily and trigger transient excessive thyroid activity. But don’t be frightened of iodine. It is no more dangerous than a generous application of iodized salt on your evening meal. [/QUOTE]
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Testosterone Replacement, Low T, HCG, & Beyond
Blood Test Discussion
Thyroid lab for review
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