Normal Bonsoy consumption can lead to hyperthyroidism (I haven’t seen any cases of hypothyroidism) due to excess iodine (i.e. excess iodine can cause hyperthyroidism). The links between excess iodine consumption and hyperthyroidism are well known and proven.
There are also links between hyperthyroidism and miscarriage and complications with pregnancy in general. Read more here and here.
Hyperthyroidism can result in the following symptoms. You can read about hyperthyroidism here (Wiki), here (Victorian Gov’t Better Healthy), here (Endocrine Website), here (Vitamins site), here (about.com) and here (Merck pharma site). I wrote about how it affected me here.
- Rapid heart rate
- Severe heart palpitations that can last for several hours (can end in hospitalisation)
- Tremors and a general ’speedy’ feeling
- Constant tiredness
- Continued hunger despite food intake
- Loss in weight
- The need to cut food from your diet to keep heart rate down (alcohol, caffeine, chocolate)
- The muscles in my arms and torso became weak and wasted
- Feeling slower and needing much more effort during exercise
- Dry skin and hair
- Headaches
- Joint aches
- Late and occasionally missed periods
- Drop in libido
- Gauntness (particularly in face)
- Eyes popping out (a good indicator)
If you have any of these symptoms, and have been consuming Bonsoy, you should immediately see a doctor for a Thryoid Function Test (TFT) and explain why you are asking for it.
In December 2008 I was diagnosed with Graves Disease (Hyperthyroidism) and was sent to an Endocrinologist who treated this by prescribing Neo-Mercasol and monitory me closely for the following year. It is now under control but still being monitored by periodic blood testing. I drank at least one glass of Bonsoy Soy milk as part of my breakfast for at least the two years preceding the time I developed Graves Disease. Now it has come to my attention that other consumers of Bonsoy Soy Milk have had similar problems.
I have drunk Bonsoy for years & have only just heard about this. I have been experiencing the symptoms described above & have abnormal TFT’s.
What do I do next?
Jennifer, there is a class action you can join – http://www.mauriceblackburn.com.au/areas-of-practice/class-actions/current-class-actions/bonsoy-class-action.aspx
Sometimes there’s a danger to add 2 + 2 and get 8…I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few years ago. I have drunk Bonsoy for over 25 years. At the time the recall for Bonsoy was happening, I was having regular blood tests to monitor the thyroid.
I bought up all I could of Bonsoy still on the shelves of some supermarkets but eventually ran out.
So I went without Bonsoy for maybe 1 – 2 months.
I have correlating blood tests all around that period and prior and post.
What has been claimed (or blamed) as the cause of hyperthyroidism via the iodine in the Bonsoy – is a direct CONTRAST to my results.
The time I DIDN’T take Bonsoy due to unavailability – my results went up – therefore more toward hyperthyroidism…
I stopped taking the prescribed drug to balance the thyroid after 6 months and stabilised ever since, about 2 years now. I am STILL drinking Bonsoy.
So one needs to be very careful when ‘adding up’ and conveniently looking around for possible ’scapegoats’.
Remember – once you form/have a belief – you automatically look for evidence to support that belief – doesn’t mean it’s real!!!
When all is said and done – we are the one responsible for our choices and our health – blaming externals doesn’t help to heal, it is in taking responsibility for our conscious choices that allows us freedom in life.
P.S. And personally, I preferred having the kombu in the soymilk – a great source of calcium, iron and more – perhaps we could also look at the Japanese and see if they have hyperthyroidism , as they are surely a race that consumes lots of seaweed?!
Veronique.
You are one case out of many hundreds.That is to say, your situation alone does not disprove the many hundreds of cases that conversely disprove yours.
MANY HUNDREDS of people have medical evidence of an illness caused by this product.
This is both inductive and deductive reasoning/logic.
There is little to zero dispute about the cause of these illnesses.
Thanks
Tim