Karen999

I have read some threads referring to idodine and the thyroid. How exactly does ie affect it? Is it bad or good?
Does salt make it go up (TSH) and iodine down?
I have no idea, please explain

mat301998

If I remember correctly, Iodine is used by the thyroid (in part) to produce TSH. Salt contains idodine. As a treatment for thyroid cancer, I took 2 pills of radioactive idodine, which zapped (or killed off) any remaining thyroid cells. To prepare for the treatment, I monitored and limited my salt intake to allow the treatment to be most effective. Hope this helps a little. Unfortunately, I don't know how else salt or idodine are connected with the thyroid.

Karen999

Thanks, so I think it means it is not good for your thyroid?

mat301998

Well, I wouldn't say that it's not good for the thyroid. Iodine, like most everything, in excess would likely not be good. But, just in salt at a moderate consumption level, is probably ok. All salt does not contain iodine. I remember reading somewhere that it was added to salt years ago to help reduce the prevalance of mental retardation that was occuring. So, iodine is used by the thyroid. And that's probably why radioactive iodine is used to treat cancer and other malfunctions of thyroids. I would guess the thyroid is the most responsive organ to the presence of iodine. And in making it radioactive the thyroid or thyroid cells are targeted. So, I think iodine is useful to the thyroid when consumed at moderate levels.

aggordon

There is a good article on About.com (by Mary Shomon) about the complicated relationship between iodine and the thyroid. Hope it helps!

verbal0rchid

Thyroid hormone is made of iodine. TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone (i'm sure you know that already, just playing captain obvious here LOL), which is in fact the pituitary gland. It sends the signal to the thyroid to produce T4, the thyroid's storage hormone, which in turn converts to T3, the active hormone used by the body for metabolism. It is literally what gives us warmth and energy.

The thyroid contains T1-T4, specifically 1 molecule of iodine, to four molecules of iodine. It also produces calcitonin which affects the body's parathyroid glands.

Incidentally, unrefined sea salt contains iodine, yes, but not as much as fortified table salt (iodized salt). An interesting bit of trivia: Salt companies don't make the bulk of their profit from table salt. They make it by refining sea salt, extracting the trace minerals the body needs like magnesium, zinc, manganese, selenium, etc., and selling it to supplement companies who then turn around and sell it to us for a pretty penny. We don't even have table salt in our house anymore. Everything we use is unrefined Celtic Grey sea salt.

Sea salt is also used to regulate water retention and helps balance the body's level of potassium. Too much or too little can affect how your body stores and uses potassium. I notice if I am feeling bloated (swollen fingers etc) I drink 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt and warm water (yes, drink it). Within minutes my swelling is lessened tremendously.