Hi all I need an angiogram but I cannot have the dye injected in me as I've had this done for my bladder cancer, to look at the kidneys. The doctor then gave steroids but the x ray department said I must never have the dye injected ever again. My cardiologist says he might be able to get round this but I'm a little worried and he then mentioned bypass to the heart. I would like to hear from anyone with a similar problem ......Many Thanks Bob

Though I hate that we all suffer from this "allergy/sensitivity," it is nice to know I am not the only one. I had a reaction to iodine a long time ago. First, I had uncontrollable sneezing and the next time, my throat was closing on me. After that they told me to never have iodine contrast again. Over the years it has gotten worse. An allergy test told me that I was also allergic to Shellfish. However, I was still having reactions I didn't understand. But, because of the internet I am now more informed. I can't believe how many names Iodine has. Alginate, Agar, Carrageen, and not to mention the Red dyes. I had to switch from the regular Children's Liquid Benadryl to the Dye Free one. Even since I stopped ingesting anything red I stopped having upper respiratory infections all the time. I even told my pharmacy that I don't want any medications with red in them or in red capsules. I read every label when I buy groceries now. It takes longer, but the times I don't read the labels I regret it.

When I eat out I have to ask if the fries were fried in the same grease as the shrimp. I have to buy Haagen-Dazs ice cream because it is the only one without Carrageen. Recently, I had two severe reactions to something I ate. I had to keep drinking my liquid Benadryl until my throat stopped closing, but had to go to the doctor because by the next day it still was not relaxed back to normal. I now carry Liquid Benadryl and an Epipen with me all the time. And I just got a Medical Alert bracelet. At least, I managed to find one that is fashionable and not bulky to wear.

After reading some of the comments I am considering having my kidneys checked now. But, I have also had an allergic reaction to Iodine in the air. When the Rockets won their first championship they decorated our office in Burgundy and Gold crepe paper and balloons. My eyes and nose started running from the moment I sat down. The supervisor had to remove all of it. What fun, huh?

Well, my last comments are that we have to be proactive with this allergy. You need to know all the different names that iodine goes under because others may not. I went to have a biopsy, and I told the nurse that I was allergic to Iodine. She said no problem because they were going to use Benadine. Hello! That is Iodine. And if I have surgery I tell whoever is with me to never leave me alone. I knew a woman who went in for a simple biopsy. They gave her a shot or maybe took blood. Either way, by the time they came back to the room she was brain dead. She had had a reaction to the swab. From what I read on here, it must have been Iodine.

So my alert bracelet says Iodine** *all* forms and Info Wallet/Phone. I put the other names that I know for Iodine on my wallet card and in my home phone information. It may seem extreme, but my life may depend on it someday. Well, that is my story. Good luck to the rest of you fellow sufferers.

I found out about my sensitivity to Iodine when preparing shrimp. My hands became very hot and started burning and a rash quickly developed. I also noticed that when ingesting iodine, through seafood, I begin to have increased chest congestion and mucous production. So, here is a good one. I just started taking a multi-vitamin and a total body purifier. A day later, I noticed that I had a low grade fever and increased fatigue that I couldn't figure out why. Here I am a week later and can't seem to shake it. Low and behold, what is put into a multi-vitamin and the total body purifier, but Iodine!!

A few years ago I had an allergic reaction to shellfish. I was rushed to the ER I don't really remember much. A few months after the reaction I developed subclinical hypothyroidism, I am currently taking 60mg of Armour.

Last week I had a blood test taken and they determined that I was allergic to all forms of shellfish and also Iodine. I am really curious how this will affect me. Right before I was put on Armour my TSH and FT4 were both low, they did all sorts of pituitary tests and found my pituitary to be fine.

Could my Iodine allergy be causing my thyroid levels to be off? What other problems may I be facing with an Iodine Allergy other than just an anaphylactic reaction?

re: ange barrett, I have had an anaphylactic reaction to iodized salt and a reaction to injection prior to kidney x-ray. Interesting that I have some impaired kidney function like you.

With the introduction of iodized salt to all bread products in Australia. In September I am now looking to a safe test so I can have an epipen. Also is there any contraindications for the elderly using an epipen.

I tried one of those diets sponsored by physicians and had an allergic reaction to the products. The mineral supplement had 150 mcg of iodine and all the food replacements had iodine. I could use the products for 2 days and the third day I was flushed, felt sunburned, had a racing heart and over all panic. I quit for a day, resumed the regimen and the same thing happened again. When I discontinued, the symptoms disappeared.

Anyone ever heard of this before?

I am an X-ray Technologist, and we do have contrast dyes that are iodine-free. If a person has iodine, shellfish, or just multiple allergies, we always use this dye, so don't be scared of the test.

Also, swimming in the ocean is safe-it is not the ocean putting iodine into the seafood, but the process of a creature building a shell, that produces iodine in its tissues-the reason people react to shellfish, and not other fish that live in the sea!

I have an iodine allergy, but mine is more focused on the iodine swab, and also iodized anything. I've been told this is very rare. But it does happen, and it upsets me when people claim "Iodine allergies aren't real." Live my life for a day then tell me that.

lucid:

Iodine(I2) is an insoluble crystal, in water. Iodide ([x]I)is a salt common to be ionically bonded with potassium, thus potassium iodide(KI). KI can be handled by the body. Lugol's solution is a solution of both.

I saw Dr. Brownstein's video also. Very intriguing discussion. This guy was prescribing 75mg/day to people! If those people didn't die then there is no way you people are allergic to iodide. I claim that what you are seeing as an allergic reaction is the iodine replacing fluoride or bromide in your thyroid.

Which are hazardous poisons, yet the stuff is everywhere. In the water, in our bread, they have poisoned our precious bodily fluids. lol. seriously, though. I would say anyone who has a skin reaction is severely iodine-deficient. Learn more about it!

i am severely allergic to iodine but not to shellfish but now only just having reactions to some wines, not sure if it is the fining process where they use fish products or sulfates.

I had cat-scan schedule for a regular cat -scan

next i found I was to having an IV inserted with Iodine injected . I was told if i was allergic to any thing I said I had seasonal allergies.

I had no idea that the reason i could not eat shrimp was because i was allergic to iodine. I found out to late after i was given iodine I had a terrible reaction a bad headache eyes hurt and felt like vomiting. i was given benadryl and now suffer bad headaches and have high blood pressure. i was fine before.

will my father had ct chest with contrast 1-18-2008 and passed away 2-5-2008

I had an angiogram a few years ago and was terribly ill from the reaction to the contrast. I have had an iodine allergy all of my life. now my dr. wants me to have a discogram, and he won't do surgery on my back until I have one. I'm worried about the reaction and even death this time. any suggestions? i've had every test to prove what my back problem is already. i can't have steroids to counter react the contrast because i have diabetes.

Some people are allergic to iodine itself. Once in the ER for something else, I got my blood drawn and ended up with hives. Guess what -- the person who drew my blood hadn't paid any attention to the orange wristband and I assumed that everyone looks at the chart! I had been swabbed with iodine.

My worst reaction to iodine was it being used as part of a cleaning agent prior to me getting an MRI. I got serious hives, took the blispak and yet they came back. Now, I am always cautious about what medical people are using.

hi, i am anaphylactic to shellfish and was wondering if i could still swim in the ocean without it affecting me. thanks

How do I know if I have an iodine allergy? I need to have an angiogram and the doctor asked if I'm allergic to iodine. I have no idea. Can you help?

I have sea food allergies, fish and shellfish. I had a c-section and a week later I noted extreme itching and redness across my belly. The phone advise nurse said itching was a good sign of healing. When I went in to have my stitches checked the nurse called a doctor over to view my belly and I found out that I was having an allergic reaction to the iodine. I was advised to take benadryl and apply cortisone and check back in 4 days to see if clear. I think the ibuprofen and hydrocodone for pain helped subside the itchiness the first week. The allergy has lasted long but thank goodness I did not get a more extreme reaction like when I eat fish. If you are allergic like me and plan to have surgery ask the doctor to use a different topical sterilizer.

I was born with three kidneys (2 damaged which one needed repair). I had monthly IVP tests as a child. I currently get lumps on the back of my neck, sometimes my face, ears, and scalp when I ingest too much of anything with high levels of Iodine in it. The more iodine the worse the reaction. I do not usually have an immediate skin reaction but if I do eat sea salt or iodized salt I get a severe headache in a matter of minutes. I do not have the same reaction with un-iodized salt. I have been tested for other food allergies and the only other thing I am allergic to is soy (hives and itchy skin). Is there any cure for this problem, be it allergy or sensitivity?

I am still really confused regarding allergy or sensitivity. I have never before been allergic to shellfish - but have recently noticed that whenever I eat shrimp I get violently ill. However, today while I was donating blood I started to have a reaction on my arm. They had put iodine on my arm and almost instantly my arm became blotchy and itchy and I started feeling my throat tighten and felt queasy - they were able to completely wash my arm and within about a couple of hours I started feeling better.

My doctor - without testing me has authorized a prescription for a ephipen - so does this mean I am allergic or not to iodine?

Is iodine and Iodide the same thing? im severely allergic to shellfish, and i always thought i was allergic to iodide too, not iodine, i had an iodine injection at the hospital for xrays, and i fish all the time, so does that mean ive just been paranoid and not really allergic to iodine or iodide?

I have a low thyroid. I also have Lupus and Fibromyalgia. I am also very obese due to the steroid treatments I took over time. Would I benefit from Iodine? And if so, how would I know if I were sensitive to it? Would there be any side effects? What does iodine sensitivity look like?

Proteins are NOT the only thing that cause allergies! Have you never heard of fruit allergies, to name one?

Secondly, you CAN swim in the ocean if you are shellfish allergic -I have swam many times! I am severely allergic to shellfish (I need up to 4 epi pen injections and an inhaler before the ambulance even gets to me - my anaphylactic reaction is immediate and severe.)

Shellfish allergies are more likely to be present with an idodine sensitivity in a person, but an allergic person is not necessarily also allergic to iodine. A qualified allergist can test you for food/other allergies, and your fiance should be given a prescription for an epi pen prescription to carry with him at all times, if a true allergy is present.

Iodine allergies, while rare, are real. Mine has been confirmed through direct contact at a hospital (being swabbed with iodine solution, and having an immediate anaphylactic reaction.)

First, only proteins cause allergies. Second, iodine is a poison. A chemical reaction is necessary to convert it to iodide. A chemical reaction involving skin is called a burn. Confusing iodine with iodide is a very common mistake. Even people who ought to know better do it.

Every time I eat/drink a product containing even a little bit of Spirulina, I become very ill - severe vomiting, dizziness - my whole body goes into shock. Could I be sensitive to iodine?

I do have hypothyroidism, and take medication for this, would that be affecting me?

I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and according to Dr. David Brownstein on the web, even people with autoimmune thyroid disease need more iodine and about 95% of the population in the States is iodine deficient. I know I am. If I do the iodine patch test, the iodine only remains on my skin for a few hours. Trouble is, whenever I try to get more iodine either by painting it on my skin, or eating kelp or whatever, although I feel really good and quite energetic, I get a sore throat in the thyroid area. I had this same symptom when I took Armour Thyroid medication and my naturopath said it was because I am allergic to it. Is a sore throat indicative of iodine allergy? Is there anything I can do about it?

I suspect that I have an allergy to Iodine as I had a severe allergic reaction to some topical medicine containing iodine. 4 days ago, I started taking a multivitamin containin 150 mcg of iodine and I had another reaction. Could I be reacting to the iodine in the multivitamin?

my fiance is allergic to iodine. he can not eat any seafood without it coming back up (and unfortunetly he absolutely loves shrimp). my question is would he be able to swim in the ocean on our honeymoon or would he have an allergic reaction too. if so then we need to change our plans.