This is Dr. Lam, founder of drlam.com and the Adrenal Fatigue Center.
The question we are going to ask today is, what are the potential effects of iodine to
be taken during an adrenal fatigue process recovery?
Now one of the most common symptoms that we see in adrenal fatigue is the sense of being
wired and tired.
This could be due to many, many reasons, from autonomic nervous system dysfunction to thyroid
overload.
Now many people are put on thyroid medications nowadays because they complain of fatigue
and their workups are normal.
The thyroid laboratory tests can be borderline, and the doctors would start thyroid medication
empirically based on symptoms alone.
And this is accepted standard of practice.
Now when you put iodine or thyroid medications into the body you are enhancing the metabolic
pathways.
So, energy production will increase, and this is a desired effect, if it is measured and
if it is titrated properly.
Oftentimes, however, is that excessive amount of thyroid or even iodine for that matter
can lead to a state of wired and tired.
In another words, the thyroids are using these compounds such as iodine, kelp, thyroid medications,
to increase the metabolism, and you feel better, you feel more energized, you feel more alert,
you can do your functions during the day.
However, this has to be metabolized and has to be excreted from the body when it is finished.
Now this is where the problem begins because if you have an ongoing input of these compounds,
then the body becomes constantly wired during the day.
Now this may be considered a good thing if you have a heavy schedule and you have lots
of work to do.
However, when it comes to the time when the body start to have to relax, then the body’s
unable to relax because it is flooded with such compounds.
So even though you may be wired, you may be tired, I’m sorry, you are wired.
So at night especially many people report that they try to go to bed because they have
a long day but they cannot sleep.
Well, if you cannot sleep when you try to go to bed it’s called sleep maintenance
insomnia.
Or if you are able to go to sleep but soon you are awakened and then you have heart palpitations,
or you’re just wide awake and cannot go back to bed, which is what we call a sleep
maintenance insomnia, one of the common reasons you have to look at is what kind of stimulants
you are taking.
And they can include glandulars, herbs, neurochemicals such as Adderall, you can look at the body
being in a state of fight or flight, and of course also evaluate your thyroid regimen.
T4 has a problem with doing this, T3 as well, and iodine being the precursor as well as
a necessary compound to both of these can play a major role.
So looking at the regimen that you have, seeing the stresses in your life, looking at the
compounds you are taking, and then adjusting them perhaps to see whether it will be helpful
for you may be something you need to talk to your doctor about.
Being wired and tired is a very frustrating experience, because if you are wired at night
and cannot sleep your restfulness and ability for the body to repair during the nighttime
is going to be compromised.
Most people, they will wake up feeling very groggy, and this loop of dysfunction continues,
and it will make the body feel weaker, and weaker, and weaker over time.
Eventually it can lead to adrenaline crashes, where your body actually give you a massive
amount of fatigue in order to slow you down.
So being wired and tired is a warning sign.
It is a sign for you to really talk to your doctor, examine what you are really doing
to cause this, and then take the proper action.
Don’t take it lightly because it can be quite serious.