Sodium, Thyroid, and Metabolism

[Windex]

I've been listening to a lot of Stan Efferdings seminars and read a lot of research studies that he referenced. Prior to this, I was a Salt-Nazi, I was one of those people that had been brainwashed into thinking Sodium was the devil. For those unaware, the vertical diet was popularized by Stand and he is also a trainer for professional athletes, one of which is Brian Shaw (4 times World Strongest Man)

One of his big messsges is iodized salt is a critical part to an athletes diet - because during intense training, the body sweats out a lot of salt not just water. On top of that, he talks about the important of Iodine and it's role in stimulating the thyroid, which plays a big role in metabolism.

Over the last 4ish months I incorporated salt into more of my meals, especially post workouts. I did bloodwork last week and had thyroid tested, came back at 1.32 my last thyroid test was 1.01 from the start of the year, so a big improvement of 31%. Obviously there are a lot of other factors and 2 blood work tests isn't a very big sample size. However, Subjective speaking, I do "feel" like I've had an increase in metabolism and energy.

Just some food for thought (pun intended) Next round of blood work is in 3 months.

[mexecutioner]

Just to let you know, the higher the TSH value, the poorer the thyroid function. So in your case, your thyroid function has decreased, not increased.

[KittyO1]

I've been listening to a lot of Stan Efferdings seminars and read a lot of research studies that he referenced. Prior to this, I was a Salt-Nazi, I was one of those people that had been brainwashed into thinking Sodium was the devil. For those unaware, the vertical diet was popularized by Stand and he is also a trainer for professional athletes, one of which is Brian Shaw (4 times World Strongest Man)

One of his big messsges is iodized salt is a critical part to an athletes diet - because during intense training, the body sweats out a lot of salt not just water. On top of that, he talks about the important of Iodine and it's role in stimulating the thyroid, which plays a big role in metabolism.

Over the last 4ish months I incorporated salt into more of my meals, especially post workouts. I did bloodwork last week and had thyroid tested, came back at 1.32 my last thyroid test was 1.01 from the start of the year, so a big improvement of 31%. Obviously there are a lot of other factors and 2 blood work tests isn't a very big sample size. However, Subjective speaking, I do "feel" like I've had an increase in metabolism and energy.

Just some food for thought (pun intended) Next round of blood work is in 3 months.

Iodine is definitely important!...on the thyroid test you are talking about, what exact levels are you actually talking about? TSH, T3, T4....?

[Windex]

TSH levels

[KittyO1]

Just to let you know, the higher the TSH value, the poorer the thyroid function. So in your case, your thyroid function has decreased, not increased.

TSH levels

The slight increase in TSH is normal and temporary from what I’ve read. Here’s a great of breakdown explaining it.
http://drdavidbrownstein.blogspot.com/2012/01/

@windex from your numbers it doesn’t seem you have thyroid problems. Were you having symptoms?

[Windex]

The slight increase in TSH is normal and temporary from what I’ve read. Here’s a great of breakdown explaining it.
Dr. David Brownstein - Holistic Family Medicine: January 2012

@windex from your numbers it doesn’t seem you have thyroid problems. Were you having symptoms?

No symptoms or anything negative, just a personal experiment - I get full panel blood work every 2-3 months. Where I live every time a doctor orders a requisition for bloodwork they get paid by the government - so my doctor gets bonus cash and I get to stay on top of my health.

Im really weird - the first 5 minute of every doctor visit is her pulling up my bloodwork in a giant excel spreadsheet

[Testlolblast]

If TSH is above a normal range a thyroid is slow and is pressed to work harder, othervise if TSH is in a normal range a thyroid works properly. That's it. By the way a free t3 blood test should also be added to a tsh test even if a person has no thyroid problems to monitor all thyroid hormone functions. At the same time a free t4 test may not always be necessary to know how a thyroid works.

Another thing is, those with hypothyroid problems that are on thyroid meds should avoid iodine not to harm even more a thyroid gland.

[AlphaMindz]

Yeah the Rhino is awesome I like his vertical diet and approach to training and he's very articulate which is nice as so many people in this industry are not well spoken which makes it hard to take them seriously lol.