I’ve had thyroid disease, both hyper- and hypo- to its current Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

I relied on l-thyroxine (T4) in a single daily dose which is adequate for most patients. However, I started to become symptomatic again in 2018 so I switched to Liothyronine (T3) in four divided doses (PITA).

T3 is very expensive in the West. It is completely unavailable in Thailand so I order from a pharmacist friend in Turkey and talk my way through Thai Customs.

Due to all these logistics, I am adding in T4 again to see what happens.

However, to assess this, I’d like to know my iodine levels.

The most reliable measure is 24-hour urinary iodine.

My hospital, Chulalongkorn, does not do this test. Does anyone know where it is available? Would prefer public hospitals in Bangkok for obvious reasons!

Thanks.

I do not know and it is rarely necessary to do this.

Unless you are taking high dose iodine supplement (bad idea anyway with Hashimioto's) , no reason to think your iodine levels are high enough to block hormone production.

I suggest you discuss your concerns with a good specialist. I also have Hashimotos and use:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/jun-srimanunthiphol

38 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I do not know and it is rarely necessary to do this.

Unless you are taking high dose iodine supplement (bad idea anyway with Hashimioto's) , no reason to think your iodine levels are high enough to block hormone production.

I suggest you discuss your concerns with a good specialist. I also have Hashimotos and use:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/jun-srimanunthiphol

38 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I do not know and it is rarely necessary to do this.

Unless you are taking high dose iodine supplement (bad idea anyway with Hashimioto's) , no reason to think your iodine levels are high enough to block hormone production.

I suggest you discuss your concerns with a good specialist. I also have Hashimotos and use:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/jun-srimanunthiphol

Thanks, Sheryl. Yes, I do have a top-notch endocrinologist at Chula, though I probably have more advanced thyroid knowledge than she.

Most endos here guage thyroid function by TSH, IMV, an unreliable marker. I use analogue an thermometer to measure daily average readings thrice daily over five days; no variation but 0.02 above or below 37.

My FT3 and FT4 are both lowish, despite the fact I'm taking the highest supplemental T3 & T4 I ever have. I'm deciding now which I'll raise.

You guessed it. I'm going to add supplemental Lugol's solution, starting with 6.75mg and see how it goes.

I think effects of ^Hashimoto's or Graves' are overstated. I know how to palpate my own thyroid and know what a goitre feels like.

Guess I'm a gambling man. Seeing endo on Friday and not telling her about my iodine plan, just fishing for that 24-hour urinary iodine testing. Fingers crossed.

I'm taking it primarily for gastric nutrient absorption, adrenal support as well as excretion of the halogens all of us are exposed to lifelong. Yes, I take the supplements required by orthomolecular iodine.