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Can Taking Levothyroxine Increase The Risk For Breast Cancer?

Posted on Mon, 20 Oct 2014

Question: I am a 62 year old female....i am on levothyroxine.....what are my risks for breast cancer taking this ? Also do i need to take iodine supplement with my Levoth

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (3 minutes later)

Thanks for contacting HCM. You are concerned that taking levothyroxine will increase your risk for breast cancer. There is no association with levothyroxine and breast cancer. I can reassure you that you have nothing to worry about.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (52 minutes later)

Thank you so much! Makes me feel better! But you forgot to answer on my iodine supplement, do i need to take one?

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Iodinesupplementation not needed

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM and me with your question. I am sorry I did not address your iodine supplementation question. The short answer is that iodine supplementation is not required. In the United States all salt has iodine added to help the general population keep adequate amounts of iodine in their diet.

Before Iodine in salt children did not get sufficient iodine and developed hypothyroidism but since the addition there is no further risk from iodine deficient cause of hypothyroidism.

You can take a supplement if you like but it is not needed as an XXXXXXX adult gets plenty through a regular diet.

Hope this answers your question. Please contact us again with your medical concerns and questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (24 minutes later)

So if i decide to take extra iodine, will it hurt me or is the extra your body doesn't use beexcreted thru one's urine?

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Extra iodine is excreted

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting me again.

Yes the extra iodine is excreted and there are no down sides or side effects from taking too much iodine. In my practice I do not recommend my patients with hypothyroidism take iodine supplements.

Hope this answers your question. Please contact us again with your medical concerns and questions

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj