About Iodine & My Thyroid

I want to share something with you all that has been very eye opening for me. I don't have all the answers as of today, but I was facetiming with Fitz (Doug Fitzgerald) a couple weeks ago and saw a lump on the front of my throat. I have since had blood work done and an ultrasound, and next week will more than likely have a needle biopsy when I see a specialist. There is most definitely a good sized lump on the right side of my neck where my thyroid is. It may be a nodule, a goiter, or cancer. At this point we don't know.As I have done research I have found that I may have inadvertently done it to myself. For the sake of "good health", I basically removed iodized table salt from my diet and replaced it with Himalayan sea salt, therefor removing the main source of iodine from my diet. Here is what I've found online about iodized table salt:Iodine is to the thyroid what calcium is to the bone. It is very common that a deficiency of iodine can cause hypothyroidism or suboptimal thyroid function. It is estimated that over 300 million people worldwide have chronic goiters (swollen thyroid glands) because they consume very little iodine. The swelling is caused by the action of thyroid stimulating hormone released by the pituitary. The TSH stimulates the thyroid, but without iodine, the thyroid is unable to create T4. The TSH continues to stimulate the thyroid, which then swells, causing the goiter. Sufficient iodine intake prevents goiter formation by allowing the thyroid to respond properly to TSH and release thyroid hormones.I wanted to share this with you 1. To ask you to pray for me. Obviously I don't want it to be cancer. 2. If you've eliminated iodized table salt from YOUR diet, and don't eat a lot of fish (another good source of iodine) then talk to your Dr. or medical professional about adding it back in! What a miss to eliminate something THINKING it was doing me good, and having it possibly cause a health problem because I didn't find another source of iodine. :/Symptoms I have felt in the last 6-8 months: extreme tiredness (I've had to mentally push myself so much more lately), brittle hair and nails (hair breakage), problems with body heat regulation, low energy, unusual monthly cycle, and trouble concentrating. But I'm 43 years old, and just attributed those mimicking symptoms of peri menopause. Turns out; it was my body giving me signs that something was off. Who knew? Anyway; I'll keep you posted on what happens with my health, but look into it for yourself! Talk to your doctor about options and what eliminating salt may be doing to your own system!In Relentless Pursuit of Excellence!TRACI :)Disclaimer: Traci Morrow Fitness Inc. is not a Dr. or medical professional and this blog is solely the opinion of the blogger. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or symptoms. Please consult your MD or other health care professional for any concerns you may have.