Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I'm actually not certain what "star" to give this...I do believe it probably has benefits to some animals, but I really caution pet parents to research supplementing this to their pets, especially if they have ANY kind of thyroid condition. While the label advises against supplementing this to dogs with hyperthyroidism, the website for the company actually says any thyroid condition. My dog Max is HYPO-thyroid, and is taking a thyroxine supplement to control it. I believed, since the label only stated caution with hyperthyroid dogs, it would be safe for him. Come to find out that this seaweed meal is Ascophyllum nodosum (found that also on the company's website), which is also known by other names such as egg wrack, rock weed, and bladderwrack. It has a lot of iodine in it, which is what affects the thyroid, which historically is supposed to make the thyroid overactive (hence the admonishment to avoid with already hyperthyroid animals). But recent research has found that large amounts of iodine can actually also have the reverse affect and slow the thyroid down (hypothyroid). It appears there is still a lot to be learned about iodine and the affect on the thyroid. Unfortunately, it seems to have had very negative affect on my dog, creating an autoimmune response that is potentially life-threatening. Ascophyllum nodosum also has high immunostimulation properties, which is great for those who need it. But it appears to have possibly created a situation for my dog in which his immune system started attacking his red blood cells, caused a severe anemia, and has already had to have one blood transfusion. They are going to have to start him on high doses of prednisone and multiple transfusions to get his body to stop killing the new red blood cells. The only thing that was different in his surroundings/food/life was this supplement. This seaweed is also vulnerable to absorbing heavy metals from the surrounding waters it is harvested in - lead, zinc, etc. Please be cautious when administering this your pet, and always consult your vet, PLEASE. I am just sick that this is the likely cause of my dog's life-threatening anemia.