I received this question from Connie:
Quote:
. . . maybe you can explain . So many horses are on Thyrol, very expensive, would it change that by feeding Lugol's solution?
Thyro-L.............................Levothyroxine sodium powder supplement
for horses. For use in horses for correction of conditions associated with
low circulating thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism).
I am certainly no thyroid expert, but if a horse does indeed have a thyroid
problem, hypothyroidism, then low iodine intake may be one reason. Dr.
Brownstein writes that one of the main reasons why he has seen thyroid
disorders (both hypo- and hyper- in humans) is a lack of iodine in the diet
plus environmental toxins which can tie up iodine. I suspect the equine
isn't much different. Chances are if you supplement your horse with
appropriate iodine, if hypothyroidism does indeed exist, it should improve
or disappear, but one should really rely on lab tests. Not only TSH, but T3
and T4.
Dr. Brownstein writes:
Quote:
"Does iodine cause the TSH to rise? The answer is "yes". Does the elevated
TSH mean the thyroid gland is failing? The answer to this question is "no".
It is well known, or should be well known, that iodine is transported into
the cell by a transport molecule known as sodium-iodide symporter (NIS). NIS
is stimulated by TSH.(2) Therefore, when iodine supplementation is begun,
one of the first effects seen is a slight elevation of TSH as the body is
trying to produce transport molecules (NIS) to move iodine into the cell.
After iodine supplementation begins, it is normal and expected for TSH to
elevate slightly. In this study, subclinical hypothyroidism should not be
the correct diagnosis if the other thyroid function tests (T3 and T4 levels)
remain normal. In a true hypothyroid condition, TSH will increase and T3 and
T4 levels will fall below the reference range. I have been teaching doctors
how to properly use and monitor iodine supplementation in their practice. My
experience has shown that many patients do experience a transient increase
in TSH levels while maintaining normal levels of the other thyroid
hormones-T3 and T4."
He is right, my TSH went up too from taking Lugols. So if one gets a lab
test, a TSH rise is a given, but not to worry, unless T3 and T4 is also up.