Iodine deficiency and thyroid questions

Hi,

I have been unable to eat for about 3 years (due to severe stomach problems), so I am fed through an IV port in my chest. My IV "food" does not contain any iodine. I was able to use a topical iodine supplement called Tri-Quench quite successfully for a while, but the company who made this product no longer exists and so I can no longer obtain sufficient iodine.

After developing severe fatigue and neck swelling, I begged for a TSH, Free T3 & Free T4 test from my doctor; he obliged and then called me urgently when the results came back:

T3 Uptake: 36.6 (ref. range = 32.0-48.4%)
Free T4: <0.3 Low (ref. range = 0.6-1.1 ng/dL)
TSH: 152.60 High (ref. range = 0.45-5.33 ulU/mL)

The doctor called in a prescription for T4 tablets, but I cannot swallow the pills or take anything orally. I need help finding a way to correct the iodine deficiency that is likely the cause of all this (thyroid tests prior to being unable to eat were always considered normal, though I suspect they've always been slightly on the low side).

Is it possible that using only a topical iodine product will correct this situation, or do I need to find a way to also take the thyroid hormone prescription?

Does anyone know of a comparable topical iodine product to the Tri-Quench? I felt so much better when I was able to the Tri-Quench...I've tried the much, much weaker iodine supplements from the health food store topically and notice absolutely no change in how I feel.

Note: I do intend to discuss this with my doctor, but in the meanwhile, I thought I'd ask the "real experts" here.

Thanks,

-Razzle
Too many health issues to list...

Thanks for replying. Yeah, it has been a real challenge lately. This is what lead me to ask for thyroid tests to begin with - my usual fatigue isn't this severe (i.e., getting out of bed & getting dressed is enough to make me just want to crawl back in bed), and I don't usually have muscle fatigue and pain from doing absolutely nothing, and then when my neck swelled up that is what really clued me in that my thyroid may be the source (or at least part of the problem) of the new/worse symptoms.

Because I cannot consume anything orally, and the injectable iodine available for those on TPN (IV nutrition) is derived from shellfish (to which I am allergic, so the pharmacy who mixes my TPN won't put it in mine), I have not been getting any iodine for about a year and a half. I'm fairly certain I am iodine deficient because of this. Nutritional deficiencies (or imbalances) of trace nutrients are not unusual in those on long-term TPN, especially when the TPN is their sole source of nutrition. Also, it is not possible to put everything needed in TPN, due to a variety of reasons: chemistry and interactions between various ingredients, solubility (i.e., fat-soluble vs. water soluble), availability in a sterile injectable form, etc.

I did see a doctor about this Friday, and he ordered a second round of tests to verify the abnormal TSH and check thyroid antibodies before we try any kind of prescription thyroid support. I'm not sure what other tests he ordered, hopefully his office will call me with results next week.

One thing I did try yesterday and today is to use more than one topical application of the low-dose liquid iodine I found at the health food store. I think it might be helping a little bit, but it is hard to tell for sure yet. I don't know how much iodine gets absorbed when applied topically, too, so I'm not sure what amount I'm actually getting from this topical stuff. Tried topical betadine as suggested by someone else as an iodine source, but didn't like how it felt on my skin with all the other ingredients in it.

Take care,

-Razzle
Too many health issues to list...

Post Edited (Razzle) : 3/17/2018 11:49:05 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks for your reply.

I'll try asking my doctor about those iodine tests.

Started the T4 via IV last week and I notice that I get very, very sleepy about 4 hours after getting my daily dose - is that normal?

Can the natural dessicated thyroid be applied topically (instead of using it sublingually) if it is made into a gel or paste of some kind? I do eventually plan on transitioning to the natural stuff if I can do this topically...

Thanks,

-Razzle
Too many health issues to list...

Razzle, how are you taking your thyroid meds? did you find something that works?