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In the past iodine supplementation seems to be an adequate approach because goiter development is associated with mild iodine deficiency in many countries worldwide. The effect of iodine once a multinodular goiter has developed a limited value in reducing the MNG. A major problem of iodine supplementation is the risk for inducing subclinical / clinical hyperthyroidism (Jod-Basedow). Therefore aside from a few European Countries iodine is no longer used alone or associated with L-T4 to treat thyroid enlargement (25)."
So, the answer really depends on where you live and whether you are likely to be iodine deficient or not. If you live in a country/area where iodine deficiency is common, it may help to take iodine. If it does not cause any symptoms and is not a cosmetic problem, it may need no treatment at all. The nodules need to be evaluated for potential cancer and monitored, however.
You should see a thyroid specialist if you haven't. You may have toxic multinodular goiter, which can affect almost every system in your body. Do you have any symptoms? Both underactive and overactive thyroid disease have many of the same symptoms. A full thyroid blood panel should be ordered before treatment is ordered.
Yes. I had toxic multinodal goiter.
Quote:
Originally Posted by delaluna
Hi, not sure what you mean by full thyroid blood panel, but I've done a blood test and the result came back within the normal ranges. (T3, T4, TSH, etc)
IGNORE this doctor and see an Endocrinologist. "Normal" range is BS.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801
I have nodules as well, but the doctor never said anything about iodine either way. It's been ten years, too, and nothing's changed. Except to me it looks like I have a fat neck in photos, lol.
As long as your thyroid hormone levels are all right, you're fine. It's very common.
You should have biopsies done by and Endo. STAT.
Quote:
Originally Posted by delaluna
Flamingo13 - my salt intake is actually extremely low, almost salt free. I'm on a raw food diet which promotes salt-free eating. But if it is iodine that I'm lacking, I could increase my intake of seaweed and other iodine rich foods.
coyoteskye - what if I neither have hyper or hypo-thyroidism? Then should I increase or decrease the intake of iodine?
I grew up in a cardiac patient parent household with a nurse for a mom. I grew up from age 7 without any salt and frankly have avoided it my entire life.
The doctor who brings up iodine before biopsies is a doctor to run away from FAST.
Quote:
Originally Posted by coyoteskye
This is my understanding ... take it with a grain of salt ... iodized or not.
If the thyroid nodules are in some way related to a hyPER-thyroid condition then his advice to avoid iodine makes sense as, i believe, iodine is used as a treatment for a hyPO-thyroid condition ... in order to stimulate the thyroid gland.
Stimulating the thyroid gland is not what one wants to do if there is a hyPER thyroid condition.
The old school of thought was that iodine is to be avoided for those with hyper thyroid issues.
However, there's "new" (i don't know how new) research and perceptions regarding this issue.
I was just talking about this with my acupuncturist today.
She was going to give me a long and detailed paper regarding the different views on this, various research, etc. ... a broad overview of iodine and the thyroid.
But, i forgot to take it with me and will get it next week when i see her and keep you posted if this thread is still active.
Anyway, i think the main question seems to be whether or not those nodules are related to a hyPER thyroid condition.
I suspect that they are but i do not know.
Nodules are typically hyper, yes you are correct.
BUT any doctor pointing to Iodine, and not telling a patient of the goitrogenic foods to avoid is an IDIOT.
Quote:
Originally Posted by suzy_q2010
You have revived a thread that has been dead for a year. Next time, it might be best just to start a new one. And welcome to City-data!
In the past iodine supplementation seems to be an adequate approach because goiter development is associated with mild iodine deficiency in many countries worldwide. The effect of iodine once a multinodular goiter has developed a limited value in reducing the MNG. A major problem of iodine supplementation is the risk for inducing subclinical / clinical hyperthyroidism (Jod-Basedow). Therefore aside from a few European Countries iodine is no longer used alone or associated with L-T4 to treat thyroid enlargement (25)."
So, the answer really depends on where you live and whether you are likely to be iodine deficient or not. If you live in a country/area where iodine deficiency is common, it may help to take iodine. If it does not cause any symptoms and is not a cosmetic problem, it may need no treatment at all. The nodules need to be evaluated for potential cancer and monitored, however.
The odds of Iodine having much impact at all in a patient that already has nodules is fairly useless. and very outdated.
In this country the odds of a person being iodine deficient is extremely rare.
You need to rule out Thyroid Cancer OP. See an Endo. yesterday!
See also: (my Endo. recommended reading her column. She's incredibly knowledgable.
Yeah I agree!! I have an enlarged thyroid, and 7 nodules, my dr never said anything!! I asked him why is my thyroid enlarged, he says its just greedy.. I mean come on! We do have thyroid problems in my moms side of the family my sister had to have hers removed by radation due to Graves, and now I got results my 19 year old just found out she has 3 nodules. They recommend she goes to the ENDO Dr, so I will find out more hers are really small. Mine were small too but one was big enough to get an FNA done, that was a MISTAKE I was in such pain during the FNA, the Dr was in my opinion didnt know what the hell he was doing, he was actually making me gag from the needle he was poking in, it was PURE TORTURE. I will NEVER do that again, I will MAKE sure I am asleep.. for sure or drunk outta my mind. GOOD LUCK to everyone
I was reading a book about Iodine, and since the past 30 years the bakery industry has stopped using iodine in their baking and people have stopped eating red meat and cut way back on salt, I never salt my food at a table and hardly ever use salt in foods I am cooking... NOW only to get an enlarged thyroid.. sucks!!!! really does.. you cant win either way.
See an endocrinologist and mention a "thyroid uptake and scan."
Nodules are quite common and usually not problematic. They can be cold, warm, or hot (aka autonomously functioning hot nodule. "Hot" means that it takes up more radioactive iodine, which is what you'll get in the test) in a 24 hour period than surrounding tissue.) A lack of iodine can stimulate the thyroid to enlarge aka goiter. Too much iodine (short of eating a box of iodized salt a day) should cause no problems in an otherwise healthy person.
Yeah I agree!! I have an enlarged thyroid, and 7 nodules, my dr never said anything!! I asked him why is my thyroid enlarged, he says its just greedy.. I mean come on! We do have thyroid problems in my moms side of the family my sister had to have hers removed by radation due to Graves, and now I got results my 19 year old just found out she has 3 nodules. They recommend she goes to the ENDO Dr, so I will find out more hers are really small. Mine were small too but one was big enough to get an FNA done, that was a MISTAKE I was in such pain during the FNA, the Dr was in my opinion didnt know what the hell he was doing, he was actually making me gag from the needle he was poking in, it was PURE TORTURE. I will NEVER do that again, I will MAKE sure I am asleep.. for sure or drunk outta my mind. GOOD LUCK to everyone
It sounds more like the doctor just neglected to tell you how much that hurts. I had an aspiration as well and it was - as you say - pure torture. But the doctor warned me in advance to expect it to be, possibly, the worst pain I could ever experience other than kidney stones or a spinal tap.
Having a miscarriage was a piece of cake, compared to an FNA. Sorry you weren't warned about it. But it also sounds like your doctor did it right. If it DIDN'T feel like torture, I'd say he was doing it wrong.
1) Get TSH
2) If TSH is low, get Iodine 123 nuclear medicine scan. If high, get ultrasound.
2a) If nuc med scan shows hyperthyroid, treat for hyperthyroid. Done.
2b) If nuc med scan shows nonfunctioning nodules, then need ultrasound to assess for cancer.
3) Ultrasound is done. Only if suspicious, get FNA. If not, continue to monitor per radiologist recommendation or no monitoring needed.
4) Depending on results of FNA, treat and workup.
1) Get TSH
2) If TSH is low, get Iodine 123 nuclear medicine scan. If high, get ultrasound.
2a) If nuc med scan shows hyperthyroid, treat for hyperthyroid. Done.
2b) If nuc med scan shows nonfunctioning nodules, then need ultrasound to assess for cancer.
3) Ultrasound is done. Only if suspicious, get FNA. If not, continue to monitor per radiologist recommendation or no monitoring needed.
4) Depending on results of FNA, treat and workup.
Unlikely in 1st world to get iodine deficiency.
Iodine deficiency IS very likely as most iodine that was added to foods has been replaced by bromine which is cheaper. Bromine and fluorine competes with iodine for thyroid uptake and usually wins out. The thyroid NEEDS iodine and cannot thrive on bromine or fluorine (fluoride, found in water supply and toothpaste).
It's disturbing to me to hear some say the FNA is TORTURE. I've had it done on several occasions, I also have fibromyalgia which heightens pain sometimes. It's nowhere near torture! It's a tiny, fine needle, they just need to remove some cells from nodule(s) - worst part is actually how you have to lie on the table w/your head tilted back so they can have easy access to thyroid. Worst part was the dizziness sitting up after. If someone experienced TORTURE you need another Dr. ASAP!
It's disturbing to me to hear some say the FNA is TORTURE. I've had it done on several occasions, I also have fibromyalgia which heightens pain sometimes. It's nowhere near torture! It's a tiny, fine needle, they just need to remove some cells from nodule(s) - worst part is actually how you have to lie on the table w/your head tilted back so they can have easy access to thyroid. Worst part was the dizziness sitting up after. If someone experienced TORTURE you need another Dr. ASAP!
absolutely !
Try a bone marrow aspiration. Now that's torture.
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