Weight-Loss Safe Use of Kelp?

[angela09]

So, I've gained weight over the past few months.
I've been exercising quite a bit and counting calories, and --until recently-- I've still been having a super hard time getting any weight to come off. I'm a fairly disciplined person, so I'm pretty strict with myself.

I have also -- for completely unrelated reasons -- been keeping track of my basal body temperature for the past year. I've noticed that about a year ago, my post-ovulation body temperature averaged about 97.8. But since then, my body temperature is waaaay low: in the low 96s prior to ovulation and in the low 97s after. In reading about basal body temperature, I've read several things that say that an average body temperature lower than 97.8 is indicative of hypothyroidism. I'll ask my ob about the low temps next time I see him, but meanwhile...

I read about iodine, and it seemed kind of dangerous to just wade in and self medicate, especially since kelp supplements give you like 200% of the daily recommended dose, so I tried the following: I took one kelp pill. For the next three days my body temperature was up: very slightly, but enough to put me in the "safe zone," at least post-ovulation. When my body temperature started to go back down, I took one more kelp pill. Body temp back up in safe zone for a few days. And so on.

And the fantastic thing??? Almost immediately, I became less bloated and the pounds started coming off! It's great!!

So what do you think? Is what I'm doing safe?
I'd love to hear people's thoughts on this.

 

[Jeanette401]

I don't really know much about kelp pills except that apparently they contain iodine.

Now, I am actually on an iodine supplement on doctors orders. For the first time I can actually remember, I had a temperature of 98.6 - historically it had been in the 96's.

However, that was after having been tested and diagnosed and I will be re-tested every 3 months just to be safe.

How safe kelp pills are, and what else is going on with them, I'm not sure. However if your temp went up with them, then there's a good chance it's the iodine - and maybe you can talk to your doctor about getting iodine under his supervision.

If that's not possible, I did hear about another possibility, but I'm not entirely sure how safe it is - so the doctor is probably your better bet. However, I've heard that if you get iodine tincture and paint a swath on your arm, if it disappears in 24 hours, then you're iodine deficiency and you should repeat the process. If it sticks around, then your body is good on iodine and you should leave it alone (for how long I'm not sure - I'm just taking pills).

Just my 2 cents as someone who's taking 50mcg of iodine a day.