Question:
Has anyone heard of Iodine malabsorption problems

A friend of mine in the medical field said she has a friend who had the RNY and is having problems keeping iodine levels in her body, which she said is the key to your body keeping sodium levels normal. She said long term can be serious heart problems. Has anyone heard of this?? email me at [email protected]    — Kellie K. (posted on November 2, 2002)

November 3, 2002
yes I have heard of it and it is true. most people though are sufficient enough just eating regular iodized salt. personally I have a severe allergy to iodine (topical and ingested) and cannot eat iodized salt, but my levels havent ever been an issue (yet). but vitamins will have iodine in them as well, is she taking vitamins?
   — Mary G.

November 3, 2002
I've done a fair amount of reading on this surgery, and so far as I'm aware, iodine deficiency is not one of the side effects or risks associated with WLS (unlike problems with absorption of calcium, protein, B-12, and certain other vitamins). If my understanding's wrong, somebody please post the link to the article or study that lists iodine as something we'd malabsorb -- I have a fairly intense interest in this subject at the moment. For what it's worth, my endocrinologist recently had my iodine measured by the Mayo Clinic (of all places) in connection with my thyroid cancer treatment, and at five months out from proximal RNY surgery, my iodine level was well above normal, indicating no problems with malabsorption of iodine. He wanted to know whether I malabsorb iodine and is now satisfied that's a non-issue. I'm now on a low-iodine diet to enhance the effectiveness of radiation treatment, and let me just add that I'll bet most of us -- WLS or not -- probably get more iodine than we need every day. Among other things, it's present in iodized salt, most processed foods, most breads (unless homemade without iodized salt), dairy products, soy, chocolate, red dye #3, and apparently just about anything else that looks good to eat, at least to me! Just my 2c. :D
   — Suzy C.