The Dosage of Kelp for Thyroid Function

Three months before the review, the patient visited Egypt and sought medical guidance for management of weight gain and low mood. She was advised by a medical practitioner in Egypt to start on sea kelp supplements. At this point, she started on sea kelp tablets and has been taking three tablets daily for the past three months. She has remained compliant with the levothyroxine dose previously prescribed for her hypothyroidism. Each sea kelp tablet contains 150 micrograms of iodine; therefore, 450 micrograms of iodine are being ingested daily by the patient. The kelp-containing tablets were discontinued, and we were initiated antithyroid therapy with Methimazole 15 mg/day for 1 month.

• While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications.
• Patients with autonomously functioning nodules perhaps arising from a previous iodine deficiency state can develop a form of hyperthyroidism termed Jod-Basedow arising from excess iodine intake 8.
• The influence on cloud formation and possible iodine intake of gaseous iodines released in seaweed-abundant coastal areas will also be examined.
• An increase in atmospheric iodine over the North Atlantic has been recently reported 69 as have a threefold increase in iodine deposition in Europe since 1950 70.

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, refers to a condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones, resulting in a slowdown of the body’s metabolism. Furthermore, iodine-containing herbal supplements available over the counter in herbal shops will impact thyroid function. Examples of these nutraceuticals include sea kelp, carnitine, inositol, melatonin and resveratrol​5​. Patients with thyroid dysfunction, whether hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, need to be made aware of the significant impact iodine-containing products can have on their thyroid profile.

Levothyroxine with Kelp Interaction Details

It’s important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively. What many physicians (and some radiologists) may not realize is that when they order a CT scan with contrast or cardiac catheterization, they could also trigger hyperthyroidism.

Iodide taken up by seaweeds growing in shallow water, when uncovered and under stress at low tide, will react with atmospheric ozone (O3) to produce iodine (I2) 11, 12. The thyroid gland concentrates iodide from the bloodstream by a factor of about 40 28. However, its iodide-concentrating synthroid precautions ability is grossly inferior to that of seaweeds which can concentrate up to 30,000 times that of seawater 29. The principal species of seaweeds are Phaeophyceae (brown), Rhodophyta (red), and Chlorophyta (green).

Patient concerns:

Heavy metal concentrations in seaweeds are generally below levels that are toxic for humans. However, the bioaccumulation of arsenic is a concern with continuous seaweed consumption. Given that seaweed and kelp are high in iodine, it’s no surprise they land on the list of healthy foods recommended for thyroid patients.

• Primary causes of hypothyroidism are most common and include conditions that directly impact the thyroid gland and result in reduced production of thyroid hormones.
• Treatment of hyperthyroidism requires ending the excess iodine exposure and use of an antithyroid medication.
• I− in seaweed reacts with O3 to produce I2 gas leading to atmospheric aerosol generation resulting in cloud formation which reflects sunlight partially offsetting global warming.
• Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction.

As a cause of hypothyroidism in SMID cases, several other factors should be considered, such ashypothalamus-pituitary disorders, malnutrition, and anticonvulsants and combinations of these. Although in thepresent study these factors could not be excluded entirely, hypothyroidism in our cases was probably due to ID,because simple iodine treatment improved their thyroid function. Five cases, which had severe low UICs, recoveredboth UIC and thyroid function after treatment. Anyone with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism needs to be cautious about iodine intake, as excessive iodine can worsen your thyroid condition. Before incorporating seaweed into your diet, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional, specifically an endocrinologist or a registered dietitian who specializes in thyroid health. They can assess your iodine levels, evaluate potential risks, and recommend the appropriate dosage to support your thyroid health.

Thyroid dysfunction following a kelp-containing marketed diet

Studies on population iodine status might be re-evaluated to determine the relevance of dwelling in proximity to abundant algal growths rather than simply coastal dwelling. The ability to take up by respiration or otherwise gaseous iodine released from seaweeds, living or dead, needs further elucidation using animal/human or in vitro studies. The extent of iodine release by oceanic algae blooms (phytoplankton) and their possible contribution to atmospheric iodine and quantitation of oceanic gases over algal blooms need to be undertaken. In addition to iodine released from seaweeds, it appears that iodine deposition as rain has increased in recent times. An increase in atmospheric iodine over the North Atlantic has been recently reported 69 as have a threefold increase in iodine deposition in Europe since 1950 70. Increasing emissions of pollutants O3 and NO2 react with seaweed-derived I− to produce I2 and iodine oxides including IONO2 which is very water soluble and thus deposited in rain 69.

Ultrasonography revealed a slightly enlarged gland with heterogeneous pattern diffusely hypoechoic (figure 1A). By colour-Doppler the gland showed multiple small areas of pulsatile flow diffusely throughout the gland (thyroid inferno; figure 1B). One month later, the patient complained of cold intolerance, dry skin, sleepiness, weakness and depression. Ten days later the clinical symptoms persisted, colour-Doppler ultrasonography revealed a normal intrathyroidal blood-flow (figure 1B).

Excessive iodine intake can lead to complications, especially in individuals with Hashimoto’s disease or hypothyroidism. If iodine intake surpasses their tolerance, it may trigger or exacerbate hypothyroid symptoms. As previously discussed, hypothyroidism is a result of thyroid hormone deficiency. Unless there is a secondary cause (e.g. tumour) that needs surgical intervention, this hormone deficiency is usually treated with a medication.

Dried and fresh kelp can be purchased online; the brown seaweed is also available in many grocery stores, Asian markets and health-food stores. Kelp is sometimes marketed as kombu or “sea vegetable.” Kelp snacks can take the form of sheets, puffs and chips. Savory dishes can be made with kelp noodles, puree, whole fresh leaves, flakes and seasonings. A substitutive therapy with oral levothyroxine (L-T4) at 1.2 μg/kg/day was initiated, followed by reliefs of all hypothyroid symptoms in 10 days. While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.