Salt craving anyone? with or without thyroid issues?

I'm a salt addict. Anyone else? I wonder why?

I have to have it. Been this way since a kid, or teen maybe. Get most of it from nuts and SEA salt.

My sodium level was "in range" but at the top of it.

Note: Thyroid needs iodine, T3 is (was) T4 with one iodine atom dropped off. But, this craving exists no matter what my thyroid levels are.

Post Edited (astroman) : 3/9/2017 11:10:18 AM (GMT-7)

I would rather have salt than sweet. I just think it is part of our genes. My Mom is the same way, but my 2 sisters are sweet eaters.

Give me a potato chip any day over ice cream. I dislike chocolate.

My job was super physical so I was the salt stain queen on my back and pits of my uniforms. Which was fine.

But now, I no longer have the luxury of eating all that salt because I am not leaching it.

So my salt is super good salt. I have a salt bowl in the kitchen and it is a mixture that I make by blending Celtic sea salt and Himalayan Pink salt. This way I know that the salt I am getting is good salt. I buy unsalted everything, butter, canned foods, etc. I add my own good salt.

I do have canned beans and I rinse the heck out of those before I use them. They are loaded with salt and I don't trust their choices even if the label says "organic."

Traveler said...
Razzle! How nice to "see" you again! How are you doing?

Serious salt cravings were my clue that my adrenals were struggling really quite badly - but no one else thought of this either, so they weren't tested until later on when I had nearly gone into an Addisonian crisis because my adrenal function was so low.

My salt cravings were so strong that I was pouring about 1 - 1 & 1/2 tsp of salt into the palm of my hand daily and just licking it up. It was the only way I could satisfy that strong of a craving.

Even if it's not your adrenals, be sure to follow this up!

Wow, that is some serious salt craving!!!

It reminds me of a Star Trek episode.

When I was a kid I would grab a tomato off the vine and rush in and get the salt shaker. Same with the apple tree.

Glad you had a "sign" to tell you about your adrenals.

My salt craving was worse when my adrenals were obviously shot and my sleep rhythm was wacko.

"Old Dutch" brand salty dill flavored potato chips were impossible to put down, now since eating potato free, my sea salted mixed nut habit could easily get out of control- I stop because I know I should.

Dill pickles too though, I love them.

I can live without chocolate. Think my body likes sucrose though- were all addicted to that from the western diet. Even on paleo, I still miss sugar granola/grain type bars.

The funny thing with me as noted, my blood sodium levels aren't low, yet I crave salt.

Traveler said...
The problem was that no one recognized it was a sign of my adrenals crashing. My blood sodium was so low, my GP at the time told me to start salting everything! It took another 3 years for them to get to that low of a level, but I would have been MUCH better off had I been treated appropriately when it was only at that stage.

Instead, I now have been in treatment for my adrenals for over 2 years and am only just now where I can "hold my own" with moderate levels of stress, as long as I am aware that it's coming and have time to prepare for it by bumping up my meds before hand and then staying right on top of them throughout the whole time - like with Hubby's knee replacement - it took me a full 7 weeks to recover from that stress and get back to the point where I was before his knee replacement.

It's so amazing the things you remember in your history when you read posts here.

I just remembered my GYN telling me to eat all the salt I wanted when I mentioned my addiction years and years ago. He said "Well your BP is low so no problem" geez

The last week or so I'm in the salted nuts like a fiend! And seasoned rice Chex

Traveler-

Have not a saliva adrenal test in years.

When I did - my adrenal cycle was somewhat lopsided 2 out of 4 times per test and symptoms, - adrenal adaptogens would help, but as you know, it was time (years) to get better. This partially explained my insomnia I had for many years and reaction to sudden stressful moments. Both are better.

I'm guessing a new test would show improvements, just not in a rush to spend $150 minimum - and have a Dr appt just to get the non-FDA kit which insurance will then nail me for the whole visit..

ZRT, Thats good to know, hope its still 150. So its still saliva, or a blood drop on paper?

I used Genova before- they only (or did at least) use Drs and chiros.

I think the comments on the relationship of cravings to adrenals interesting. I had an absurd amount of salt craving some time ago and unfortunately I would find myself snitching chips from my friend's stash and devouring copious amounts by savoring the saltiness on my tongue.

At the same time I now realize I was bottoming out on adrenal fatigue.

For the past few months my insomnia is gone(except for this middle of the night panic attack), I have more energy, and so is my salt cravings. Thankfully.

Good grief! I have 3 containers of non-iodized sea salt. So, celtic sea salt is what I need? Not using any other type of salt in my diet. Could this be affecting my thyroid results?

Where do you get your celtic sea salt and what type?

Patty

Post Edited (summer16) : 3/10/2017 8:53:32 AM (GMT-7)

I'm hypothyroid and have adrenal issues - and it's usually the salty craving that get me.

I buy "REAL" brand salt: www.realsalt.com/ and it's gone a long way to helping me. I don't use iodized "table" salt at all any more (so I add iodine daily to my routines).

VCL - that's one of the most wonderful things about this community! Because we openly share what we are doing and what we went through with others, we end up sharing details that help others! It's a great thing!!

Kat1000 said...
I used ZRT in dec to check hormones as I thought that might be the culprit of my aches and pains. I don't remember setting up an account, but it's possible! I didn't use a doctor - sent it in myself and the analysis was very thorough.

I'm hypothyroid, but never been a salt craver. Now sweets on the other hand!

The website has changed...from when I used it.

An account set-up wasn't necessary before.

Agreed - excellent analysis.

"Real salt" being all natural non-refined it has a little bit of everything in parts per million from the atomic table of elements (remember science class). However, its mostly sodium chloride calcium and sulfer.

PDF of "Real Salts" natural 60 elements here:

www.realsalt.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/realsalt_analysis.pdf