Are your cold hands and feet due to low Iodine?

Let me start by saying that I am NOT recommending that you make a change to your vitamin regime.  However, if you've ben experiencing some of the same problems that I have, I do recommend that you discuss the issue with your doctor.

Many of you know that I've been cold...all of the time...cannot get warm no matter what - I wear multiple layers and sleep with a heating pad.  Driving me crazy!  I also have extremely dry skin...although I use moisturizers constantly and drink a ton of fluids it wasn't getting better.  Too, my nails are brittle and my hair is dry.  I usually don't use conditioner on my hair becuase it makes ot flat, but I had been using it lots lately.  I go to bed early, but am always tired.  I have trouble concentrating at work and the ADD seemed worse lately.

Then, I came across an article that struck a chord with me.  Called my doctor who said to give it a try and ta-da!  I'm not cold for the first time in months!  Amazing.  All I did was add an iodine supplement. 

I checked first and it was not contained in any of my current supplements...not in my vitamins nor in my meal replacement shakes or bars.  Also, I don't use table salt that is fortified.  I use Sea Salt for cooking and I don't salt at the table.  So, like I said...called the doc, made the change and now I'm feeling much better.

I'm sure there are a ton of articles out there.  Here is a short blurb from one of the article I read before calling my doctor.  Maybe it can help you, too.

Iodine deficiency can lead to dull and brittle hair, balding, lack of skin tone, low energy levels, difficulty dealing with environmental temperature change, poor concentration, constipation, depression, and extreme fatigue. In addition to low thyroid functioning, symptoms of iodine deficiency include depression, weight gain, weak heartbeat, extreme dry hair and skin, swelling of the legs, decreased ability to concentrate, muscle cramps, puffiness or swelling of the eyes, and chronic aches and pains. Fatigue is a common symptom, characterized by the urge to fall asleep when not active. Hypersensitivity to cold, or cold hands and feet is another frequently reported symptom. When the metabolism is not up to par, there is less energy and heat produced.

Why many people are iodine deficient

Health conscious people expect conventional produce to be grown in soils deficient in essential minerals. They may be surprised to find out that organic produce is also often lacking sufficient amounts of iodine. Adequate intake of iodine was once a recognized problem that was solved by adding small amounts of it in the processing of table salt. Once this was done, the obvious symptoms of severe iodine deficiency disappeared from view, and little further thought was given to matter, though sub-clinical symptoms remained. Today's health conscious consumers have lowered their salt intake and now fail to get even that small amount of iodine in their diets. Many people have replaced processed iodized salt with sea salt, an obvious healthy alternative, except that sea salt does not naturally contain a significant amount of iodine.

Tawyna,

I'm cold all the time also. I don't use regular salt either and only use sea salt when I cook. What exactly did you take to increase your iodine? I would like to try it. I'm tired of wearing long sleeves when it is 70 outside.

Hugs,

Lynnette

  

I added an Iodine supplement.  Actually couldn't find it alone.  My doctor said to try changing one of my 2 daily multi vits for one with iodine so that's what I did.  I bought Equate (Walmart's brand) Women's 50 Plus One Daily.  It was the only one I found with iodine.  Read lables at several stores...should ahve taken a magnifying glass cause some are really small! 

Tawnya....Thanks so much for posting this.   I may make a trip to Walmart and get these.   Most of the time I just have ONE hand that stays cold....go figure on that one.    LOL   Always new I was "different "  LOL    To top it all off...it is my Right hand and I am right handed.   LOL   I am weird I guess.    I too stay cold all the time.   I am going to give this a try.   I too like everyone else doesn't use table salt...in fact I really don't use salt at all.   My bloodwork has always been good since surgery....maybe the iodine level doesn't show up.   LOL   I will give them a try.   Thanks so much again. 


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Ditto Lynnette's comments . . .what did you use and where did you buy it?  I'm having the cold issue but also the dry skin and hair no matter how much I moisturize and the tiredness.  I would like to give it a try.

I just posted above to Lynnette with the details.  And who knows....my DH thinks it is all in my mind.  Whatever.  For $7 a bottle I'm willing to be warm in my mind.  lol

Tawnya....I forgot to ask you....do you just take one a day or do you double up on them and take two???


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Just one.

Sometimes both Tawnya....but lots of the time my right hand is as cold as ice but the left one is quite a bit warmer.   Strange huh????   I guess I am abi-normal.   LOL    How do we figure that one out????  LOL  

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

THANK YOU!!!!   I just thought I was seeing side effects of getting my 'skinny' on...  But the cold is driving me nuts!!!   I can be buried under blankets and still not get warm.  That, in addition to the extremely dry skin is killing me!