Re: When to stop raising iodine?

Mind you I havent done extensive research on the reasoning behind why docs prescribe T4 over T3 but just thinking about how things work I really dont understand why docs prescribe T4.

Oversimplification:
The body uses Iodine to create T4, then it uses selenium to create the enzyme that converts T4 into the active thyroid hormone T3.

Based on what I have seen by posters in this forum people with thyroid issues (which is almost everyone weather they realize it or not) has 2 things in common. They are Iodine AND selenium deficient.

The selenium deficiency isnt really an issue because thyroid activity is low so the need for selenium to convert T4 to T3 is low and additionally the selenium needs for neutralizing hydrogen peroxide(a byproduct of thyroid hormone creation) is low.

However when Iodine is added the need for selenium increases as well, both for conversion of T4 to T3 and for neutralizing the HP.

So with the above in mind a doc prescribing T4 isnt much different that simply taking iodine. The body still needs selenium to convert the T4 to T3 and if absent the conversion doesnt take place at the proper rate and you dont get the desired effect anyway.

My guess would be that as you get older you became even more deficient in selenium making the T4 less viable. I would think if your condition is such that you have been able to get by on just T4 that selenium and iodine would allow you, after some time, to totally get off the medication.