Iodine for Menopause

Usually between the age of 45 and 55, a woman undergoes a hormonal change known as menopause. This is when her body begins to produce less sex hormones and she stops ovulating, at which point, she is no longer able to have children. Menopause affects many aspects of a woman's physical and emotional well-being. A common condition that often develops during menopause is hypothyroidism, which is sometimes treated with iodine.

Thyroid Problems During Menopause

• Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland is not producing enough of the thyroid hormones. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are so similar to those of menopause, that diagnosis of either condition can be tricky. Weight gain, fatigue, trouble concentrating and depression are common, as are cramps and joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and unusual difficulty adjusting to cold temperatures.

Iodine Treatments

• Sometimes the problem is not just low thyroid hormones. The thyroid needs iodine to function properly and sometimes in addition to taking thyroid hormone treatments, a woman may need to take iodine tablets. A physician is the only one who can properly diagnose and prescribe for these conditions. Therefore, if you suspect that you may have hypothyroidism and an underlying iodine deficiency, you will need to see a doctor in order to get proper treatment.

Other Treatments

• There is basically one option for treating hypothyroidism: supplemental thyroid hormones. The most common treatments prescribed are the synthetic hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The standard treatment is to take thyroxine, also known as Levothyroxine or Synthroid. However, often a combination of thyroxine and triiodothyronine works better. Other people diagnosed with hypothyroidism prefer desiccated thyroid, an animal-based hormone supplement, to the synthetic hormones.

Potential Iodine Benefits

• If iodine deficiency is a problem, women may see some tremendous improvements in many of their menopause-related conditions after taking iodine tablets. If their hunger has increased, it may return to normal levels. If they previously had encountered problems with depression, the symptoms may lessen and the emotions may stabilize. Women might feel more energetic and have healthier-looking hair and skin. In short, many women may find that taking iodine tablets significantly improves their post-menopausal health. In the event of a dual diagnosis of menopause and hypothyroidism, supplemental iodine may be necessary for the body to be able to utilize the thyroid hormones.

Too Much Iodine

• One reason that a consultation with a doctor is necessary before taking iodine for menopausal symptoms is that it is possible to take too much iodine. An excess of iodine can actually cause hypothyroidism, which can lead to the same uncomfortable symptoms that were present in the first place. This is why it is important to talk to a doctor about whether or not there is actually a deficiency and, if so, how much iodine to take.