TSH Levels & Iodine – The Facts!


Here is crucially important information about supplementing with iodine products such as Iodine Plus 2 and your TSH levels.

When you go in for a thyroid panel to check your thyroid function, there is one element that is always tested:


  • TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone ) – This tests for hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and is also used to monitor thyroid replacement therapy.

TSH – or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone – is created in the pituitary gland. It functions as the name suggests, to rev up your thyroid into producing the thyroid hormones.

If you are experiencing hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) the pituitary gland starts pumping out greater levels of TSH. Logical, because it wants your body to increase the amounts of these vital thyroid hormones.

However, in order for your thyroid to produce its hormones, it needs iodine. In fact, thyroid hormones are made up of 90% iodine.


Classical TSH Levels for Hypothyroidism


The classical laboratory confirmation for hypothyroidism is an elevated TSH level.  The higher the TSH reading, the more pronounced the thyroid deficiency. But this reading can be misleading, to say the least.

The common assumption is that when treating hypothyroidism, your TSH levels should drop. Unfortunately, this assumption is oftentimes just plain wrong.


Prescription Intervention: Treating the Symptoms – Not the Cause


If your physician starts you on a thyroid hormone – whether synthetic (Synthroid) or desiccated hormone (Armour, Nature-Throid or Westhroid), they expect your TSH levels to drop – and they do.

But this only masks the problem and doesn’t really help your thyroid gland to get back to the job of producing your own natural hormones. Yes, you will feel better because you now have some circulating thyroid hormone in your system again. However, you’ll probably be placed on these prescriptions for life.

But if you truly want to address the PRIMARY cause of your iodine-deficiency hypothyroid symptoms, then supplementing with iodine is the answer. This will actually fix the root cause of your low thyroid problems, and you will no longer need dangerous, non-human hormones coming from backwards dimers or pigs.


Increasing Iodine Stimulates More TSH


When you increase your iodine intake with a supplement like Iodine Plus 2, you are giving your thyroid the raw materials it desperately needs to start working as it should. However, your thyroid just doesn’t soak up the iodine like a sponge.

Iodine has to be transported into the thyroid through a hormonal mechanism.

TSH is this mechanism, allowing iodine to be absorbed by the thyroid gland. Since you are now supplying your body with all the iodine it needs, your thyroid is more than willing to take in as much as it can to correct the deficiencies it has been experiencing.

That’s when the TSH levels start to climb. The more iodine your thyroid needs and uses, the higher the level of TSH will be produced.

But here’s the thing…your doctor will probably freak out when he sees these highly exaggerated TSH levels. He’ll recommend you stop taking any iodine, and may even place you on TSH suppressing therapy – just the OPPOSITE of what you need.


Your Higher TSH Levels Aren’t The Problem – They’re The Solution!


These TSH levels will remain elevated until your thyroid is back on track. Since the thyroid works SLOWLY, these levels can remain high for as long as 6 to 12 months!

The real test is how you feel and look. If the iodine is doing its job, and your mental and physical condition is improving – you can forget about the TSH numbers being too high. In fact, you should welcome those results – it shows your thyroid is starting to come alive again!




Andrew Jones, M.D.



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