Hi All,

I started taking Iodine two weeks ago. I would appreciate any advice or guidance you may have. I have Hashi's and Fibromyalgia. I stopped taking Synthroid 6 weeks ago because it was not having any impact on my symptoms (I was on 100 mcg). Before I started taking iodine, I did a spot urine test. My results were 27 μg/g Cr with a reference range of 100-380.

I have been averaging 25mg of Iodine per day. I am taking Iodizyme-HP. With the iodine, I am also taking Selenium (200 mcg), Zinc (60 mg), ATP Co-factors (1 tablet), Vitamin C (about 10 grams spaced throughout the day), unrefined salt, and Magnesium Glycinate (480 mg). However, I do not feel better since taking iodine. In hopes of decreasing detox symptoms, I stopped for two days (while continuing to take co-nutrients), but it has not helped with the detox. I think I will lower my dose to 12.5mg per day until my detox symptoms subside.

My detox symptoms are as follows:
-severe fatigue
-headaches and migraines
-swollen lymph nodes
-throbbing/tightness in neck
-fast heart rate
-sore throat

My questions are as follows:
-Am I on the right track?
-Are my detox symptoms normal?
-Should I be taking a higher dose of iodine?
-When should I take the Iodine Loading Test?
-How much salt should I be taking?
-Should I be taking two ATP tablets?
-Should I be taking more Vitamin C? (My bowel tolerance for Vitamin C is 40 grams. However, it is impossible to take that much Vit C everyday.)

Also, in previous years, I tried to switch from Synthroid to natural desiccated thyroid. I was unable to do so because the natural desiccated thyroid gave me migraines. Could that have been the result of my iodine deficiency? I would like to try taking a low dose of natural desiccated thyroid but I am hesitant because I do not want to create more symptoms. Any suggestions?

I am seeing a practitioner who is open to iodine supplementation but he does not want me go above 12.5mg of iodine per day and does not seem knowledgeable about the co-nutrients required for iodine supplementation. I am trying to educate myself through reading Brownstein's and Farrow's books so that I can be my own advocate.

Thank you. Have a nice day.
-Melissa