I’m starting to hear some horrible stories about issues suspected of being related to hyperthyroidism as a result of elevated levels of iodine from consuming Bonsoy. I’d not have even suspected that hyperthyroidism could cause some of the things I’ve heard. Given how much I read, it makes me wonder how many people have been unknowingly affected by this.
Please, add your story below, even anonymously.
I won’t go into my experiences too much, but basically I’ve experienced:
- Severe weight loss (I usually am about 65kg, and got down to 59kg).
- Heart palpitations and “raciness” – my GP said I was at risk of a heart attack during a small ascent during a race last December; that episode is what triggered me to go to the doctor.
- Irritability – to everyone (sorry ’bout that Kate).
- Sleep deprivation – I’m usually a very sound sleeper.
- Lack of focus at work – I usually have intense focus.
- Constant fatigue and late onset muscle fatigue (after races, or even after riding to work at an easy pace, whereas I never have had that before).
- Inability to maintain my fitness and health through running, cycling and swimming – had to take it easy all summer (and still doing so end March 2010, diagnosed Christmas Eve 2009, but feeling unwell since October or September).
- Inability to train and race (bike races) all summer.
- Constant eating, but craving of poor food (chocolate, chips, other junk food) which led to loss of physique and general well being.
So, how’ve you been affected, if diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, and are able with reasonable confidence to pinpoint it to Bonsoy consumption.
Hi all,
I’m wondering whether a recurrance of symptoms is to be expected with hyperthyroidism? I was diagnosed with thyroitoxicosis in August as a result of drinking bonsoy but although my levels were high they were not exceedingly so. I did not go on medication apart from trying a beta blocker for the symptoms, as my levels were adjusting and were apparently back to normal in September. I have had about 3-4 weeks of vastly improved health which has coincided with my normal blood tests but the past few days have seen a return of the palpitations, sweating and most dreadful of all the chronic headaches. Does anyone else get headaches? I know it’s not a classic hyperthyroid symptom but my endo explained it can be an indirect one. I am a migraine sufferer. If anyone does and they have any suggestions that would be great. I cannot drink coffee anymore or even a drop of alcohol. Anyway, back to my original question – if anyone has experienced their symptoms come back, please let me know. I’m frightened I’m going to have to go through all of this again! Also, what is this urine test? Can it replace a blood test? Zoe
I don’t know, she told my GP it needed to be 24 hr. Then she got the results from my initial test, which was 318, her receptionist called to say not to bother with the 24hr test. I guess because 318 is sufficiently high? I am seeing her in a fortnight.
I spoke with my GP and she said she didn’t know if 318 was high for an iodine test, so I will wait to talk to the endo.
Hi Zoe & Sarah, my endocrinolgist’s parting words were that should I have any recurrence of symptoms to go back and have another thyroid function blood test and possibly go back on the medication asap.
I think the normal urinary iodine range is 200 as an upper limit and I was still symptomatic in the 300 range, but less so. The urine test has a direct relationship to how much iodine is in your system.
I found meditation helps with headaches and also some walking or gentle exercise but that depends upon how bad your palpitations are, I wouldn’t be stressing yourself if your symptoms have returned. The understanding I have is that the return doesn’t mean it’s permanent you just need to be treated till it passes. It is possible to have to come off the beta blockers slowly but that depends upon if the returning symptoms were related to having just reduced or come off them, is there a possibility the symptoms are related to the beta blockers? or did you cease them some time ago. Whatever the case its worth booking a visit this week and explaining you have a return of the symptoms over the phone.
In 2003 shortly after the birth of my son, i went on a “health kick ” involving drinking bonsoy . I got very ill very fast i was hospitalised several times due to heart palpatations, sweats, anxiety depression hair loss weight loss etc. I was placed on serious amount of heart meds as well as thryroxine. My endricologist recommend a full removal of my thyriod or radiotherapy Buti was scared of surgery so i opted for radiotherapy. A week away from my new son my husband and the public saw me a nervous wreck but i ws ment to be ” getting better ” we were told we need to put off having more children due to the radiotherpay for at least 18 months. Several years later i have just got back on track witht the right amounts of medications required.
In April 2007 I started drinking Bonsoy milk, thinking it would be a good alternative for cows milk which I don’t like. By September, I had begun to feel really ill. I had lost a lot of weight, etc. then one day, I looked in the mirror and my thyroid was showing. I went to the doctor and he confirmed that I had a thyroid problem. I saw an endocrinologist shortly after who said I had Graves disease caused by hyperthyroidism.
From that day, I started a diary of how I felt and coped with it right up till after the operation. This is my blog address: http://hubpages.com/hub/my-diary-about-coping-with-graves-disease
my diary was too long to write here, but thought it might be useful.
I used to drink Bonsoy every day for years as I have allergies to dairy. I used to be very fit and cycled up to 100 kms per week and did yoga every second or third day. I noticed I had a sever reaction when I drank my coffee in the morning but thought it was just the caffeine, my thyroid would almost be having tremors. I could feel it vibrating in my throat. I had really bad sweat waves and heart palpitations. I lost about 8 kilograms and began to get very irritable, tired, weak and I could not sleep. Eventually I noticed I was loosing my sight and going to the toilet every hour??? I landed up in hospital with hypothyroidism and Type 1 diabetes. I have to inject insulin 8-10 times a day. I am still so week and tired. I can’t work full time anymore. I was studying and had to drop out for a year.
I am sure it was from drinking Bonsoy. I feel my life is ruined….