A few months ago, I had been feeling pretty good for quite a while, and decided to quit some of my supplements that I felt weren’t doing anything. Then I tried cutting back on my gabapentin dosage and at that point my symptoms got much worse. So, I went back to my higher dose of gabapentin – but didn’t see much improvement. Then, one at a time I went back on all of the supplements I had quit – and still no improvement.
After that, the only other change I could remember making was cutting down my iodine supplementation from 300 mcg to 150 mcg/day (kelp tablets). Iodine was one of the first supplements I started taking because I came upon the old Jack Kruse article on PN fairly early in my journey. But I haven’t seen anyone else recommend iodine supplementation for PN – so I assumed that there really wasn’t much merit in it.
Well, finally I pushed my iodine dosage back up to 300 mcg/day and within a few days I’m feeling somewhat better. Too soon to know if it really is making a difference or if I just happen to be having a few random “good days”. But, I would be interested in anyone else’s experiences and/or opinions on iodine supplementation for people with no conditions indicating the need for it other than SFN. (Is it helpful, is it bad for you, how much is enough, how much is too much, etc.)
The research I’ve done is very contradictory – some articles say you really need to be careful or you could induce thyroid problems, etc. But, other say you should take massive quantities to get the best effect. I’m assuming that the truth lies somewhere in between, as it usually does – but wanted to get some opinions from the group.

I don't see many talk about iodine here for PN or anywhere. I talk about it but people do what they want. Iodine deficiency in general is an issue in our country and you can read a lot about that. I don't have the "classic" PN most have but I know iodine is important and I don't miss a day. 2-3 drops for sure of Iodine in distilled water. All our body tissues need iodine but many just don't seem to understand that or fear iodine. I've skipped it for a time and end up with breast pains. So I know it is important. Many elsewhere report increased energy for one thing. All in all for my almost 78 years I have a high energy in spite of bodywide OA pain and the mess from hip surgery.

I hope others will comment. I know we have a long post on the Jack Kruse iodine issue.

The best way to know for sure is to stop the iodine for 2 or so weeks. Stop all the supplements too during that time.

If you slip back again, then start only with the 300mcg of iodine.
If you respond well then that is your answer.

Iodine is used to make thyroid hormone.

Here is a good monograph of what Iodine does, and how much you can take safely. 300mcg is well below the recommended upper limit of 1,100mcg.

Thanks for the idea Mrs. D. BTW, was there supposed to be a link in your response?

ooopppsss... sorry I thought I linked it:

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/iodine

I'll let you know soon what happens with me. I was recently found to be iodine deficient and I am stopping some other supplements and getting ready to start 300 a day.

Thanks Mrs. D. Interesting read. I found it interesting that two of the things that I had been cutting back on prior to PN (milk and potatoes), are two of the things that are very high in iodine.
Still, I've really seen nothing in my research to implicate iodine deficiency in PN (other than the Jack Kruse article which I think needs to be taken with some skepticism). Nor have I seen anyone say that iodine has any role in pain reduction.
Just another one of those mysteries I guess

Hi Ragtop

In regard to the iodine - neuropathy connection. If you consider what iodine deficiency can cause ie: hypothyroidism - then that may be a contributing factor.

Here's a link to a brief article about it from the Mayo Clinic.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c...m/faq-20058489

also:

http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/68/6/750.full

If thyroid tests (particularly TSH) show borderline either high or low (and going up & down between tests) it can be a sign of not getting adequate iodine in the diet. Although as you say, in the US that shouldn't be a problem - am I right in thinking some foods are fortified with iodine?

I think it's possible for someone to be slightly within the test ranges but still have symptoms of hypo or hyper thyroidism (bit like pre-diabetes) - maybe depending on what else they have going on with their health.

I developed a 'wobbly' thyroid (my term for it), after being diagnosed with Addison's Disease (Adrenal Insufficiency). I take iodine daily as 1 tsp of kelp flakes with food. Since starting that my thyroid tests have constantly stayed within normal range . . . however the PN has continued to progress, ie: the thyroid may be only a small factor overall.

MrsD's suggestion of eliminating all supplements then starting each again individually is one way to find out. I would be cautious about taking heaps of iodine (kelp) - as you mentioned - you don't want to induce hyperthyroidism.

Hope you're managing well enough to get that Camaro of yours out of the garage soon . . . summer's on it's way . . . time for a little cruising.

The main source of fortified iodine is Iodized salt in the US.

This link goes into food sources for iodine in detail.
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Io...hProfessional/

Keep in mind that there may be something in the Kelp itself that is helping too.

I learned so much about Iodine from a support group and reading books and believe every tissue in our body needs iodine. We get so little in our foods unless one eats a LOT of sea foods...so little in milk and other foods. I don't drink milk for sure and try to eat salmon a couple times a week but also dose. So much fear from many ,,,could be one of the missing links to the neuropathy.

**

Dr. David Williams got me on Iosol some yrs ago and in his recent newsletter he mentions points to longer life and good health and mentions Iodine again...says he takes it now 30 yrs. He's the one who brought the Vit D deficiency to my MIND also.