Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Terry. “My doctor has me on Synthroid, but I’ve heard an alternative physician speak recommending iodine for proper thyroid function. Would you recommend taking iodine along with my Synthroid?” Nancy G, Newark, NJ A. Dear Nancy: There are lots of reasons why a person might be on thyroid hormone. If your thyroid gland is absent or completely non-functional, you need to supplement this hormone in your body. I look forward to the day when there are natural thyroid hormones on the market instead of the very common synthetics. However, sometimes people are on thyroid hormone because their thyroid gland is sluggish and not working efficiently. I am not a physician. It may be very worthwhile to talk with your doctor about the potential to add iodine to your health program, and get his/her opinion. I would share the same information with your physician, if you have not already done so. From what I understand about iodine, when it is combined with L-tyrosine it produces thyroxine, the thyroid hormone. Adding iodine makes it easier for the thyroid gland to do its job. I would think that if the thyroid is not functioning up to par, iodine would be the first mineral to be recommended or prescribed. Since you’re on Synthroid, adding iodine may change the prescription level needed, so you need to have your doctor in the loop. I would highly recommend you read Dr. David Brownstein’s book called Iodine, Why You Need it, Why You Can’t Live Without it, and also present it to your physician. When the thyroid is not functioning properly, doctors may automatically think “Synthroid,” instead of trying clinically-proven natural substances like iodine to increase healthy thyroid function first. The American diet does not supply iodine in sufficient quantities to support proper thyroid function.