My lab results reflected that I still had low thyroid levels even though I was taking my T3 medication for my thyroid and iron tablets. Clamp said, your thyroid levels have improved a little but are still very low and I cannot increase your T3 medication because that would be dangerous. I started to get a large lump in my stomach and said “What should I do then?” At this point, I made direct eye contact with her. “I am going to give you some kelp supplements.
I looked at Clamp with confusion and said “What?” I had never thought much of kelp; it is just some plant in the ocean. Reading my mind, Clamp said “Trust me it will, kelp can improve fatigue, metabolism and even aid weight loss, I’ve already prescribed it to many patients.” I’m not sure why I was so skeptical. It probably had to do with the fact that actual medications hadn’t worked for me, so this alternative approach seemed questionable. But what did I have to lose? After two weeks of trying kelp, I started to gain some energy and took fewer naps throughout the day. I was stunned. So I set out to find out, when did doctors start recommending kelp? And how exactly did it work?
Some quick online research led me to discover that the biggest benefit of kelp is the element iodine. . Iodine deficiency and low thyroid levels are linked. Iodine is an essential component of some thyroid hormones, and it helps the thyroid gland increase metabolic rate and relieve fatigue. It is also helps create enzymes that speed up the metabolism. In extreme cases, low iodine levels can lead to the development of a goiter, which is the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland due to either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Kelp is one of the best sources of iodine, but its benefits don’t end there. It also contains important macro and micro nutrients. According to the University of California Medical Center, kelp is a good source of calcium for people who are lactose intolerant. Kelp benefits the immune system because it contains vitamins A and C, as well as other vitamins. Another reason why kelp boosts weight loss is because it contains a natural fiber. Okay, so basically, kelp is super healthy. But why was there a focus on kelp all of a sudden? It’s only recently that we’ve seen in increase in people taking kelp supplements and putting kelp in their food.
Well, one reason is that rates of hypothyroidism is on the rise, in part because of a growing trend in autoimmune disorders overall. It’s unclear why this is the case. It may just be that more people are getting diagnosed because of more access to medical care. Some also say that growing up in a clean environment can wreak havoc on the body’s natural immune defenses. When one has a low thyroid levels this can cause fatigue and a slowing down of the metabolism and this is fairly common among many people. Which is why doctors have prescribed kelp more and more in the last five years because there is a significant group of people that suffer from hypothyroidism like me that actually need it. But now, it is breaking out from that niche and even people whose doctors don’t prescribe them kelp are starting to take it for reasons such as weight loss or to grow hair. It isn’t the greatest decision since that can be abused. Too much kelp can also be a problem. Since hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid this can cause an unbalanced thyroid and several other health issues.
Kelp is generally marketed through the food industries and drug stories, which is why it is so easy to obtain kelp. One can put kelp in their salads or just eat it plain if they want to. Then of course one can purchase kelp supplements from the doctor's office and the drug stores.
There are those who are skeptical like I once was about kelp. They believe it might not work, but according to several tests and experiments, kelp vastly improves thyroid levels. A study called “Effects of kelp supplementation on thyroid function in euthyroid subjects,” published on 2012, depicts an experiment where one group of people (who had hypothyroidism?) were asked to take a placebo and the other group received high or low doses of kelp supplements. After four weeks, for the groups that took the kelp supplements, whether a low or a high dose, thyroid function improved significantly. Other experiments have shown similar results.
As for me, I’m a convert. After four weeks of taking kelp, I saw my energy going up. I was able to pay attention in school, not take as many naps and not feel the need to turn to Netflix and do my homework at the last minute. Honestly, discovering that I found something that worked for me made me feel a lot better about my condition. It has made me hopeful that I might have normal thyroid levels someday. I’m planning on continuing to take kelp. Eventually, when I’m waiting for my appointment Dr. Clamp, maybe I won’t be so nervous.