Iodine, it's role, and why it's important.

[pampered_mom]

We were just chatting about iodine in our TF pregnancy thread (and in a PCOS thread), but it occured to me that it might be wise to have a more general discussion. I won't claim to be an expert and most of the information I have will be as a result of our local WPAF chapter's recent meetings on the subject.

I'm most interested in it because of iodine's role in endocrine disorders, but believe it's something that would benefit most people. I'll try and get as much information posted as I can along with links and such. Totally interested in discussing this as there is interest. I have to appologize in advance as this will probably be a multi post process since it's more information than I have time to post in one sitting.

So....I'll just start getting some information out there so you can decide for yourself what will work best for you and your family. :

Feel free to take what's being said/posted with a grain of salt.

[pampered_mom]

The Iodine Revival

There's a number of doctors that are involved in an iodine "revival". Three of these folks have coined their studies "The Iodine Project". It's really not anything new, but more of a rediscovery of what once was accepted (I'll try to get into that later).

The names of some docs that are leading the charge:

• Dr. Guy Abraham
• Dr. Bernard A. Eskin
• Dr. David Brownstein
• Dr. Jorge Flechas
• Dr. Jonathan Wright
• Dr. Donald W. Miller
• Dr. David Derry
• Dr. Brice Vickery
• Dr. Sebastiano Venturi

Searching for anyone of these docs is certainly a place to start. I'll try to get some links up tomorrow that are more doctor specific.

One of the main places that the subject of iodine is receiving grass roots interest is in the treatment of breast cancer. There's a website out there (www.breastcancerchoices.org) that is trying to put a spotlight back on iodine as well. They've got a section on their website devoted to iodine and while their focus is on breast cancer specifically, it does have some good general info.

There's also a good 10 minute clip from Dr. Brownstein on Iodine and Iodide Basics at http://www.internetwks.com/clips/bsIodine.rm.

[pampered_mom]

US RDA and the W-C Effect

The US lists the RDA for iodine at 150 micrograms per day. It's estimated that the Japanese consume somewhere near 13.8 milligrams which would be 13,800 micrograms.

Historically more iodine was recommended, but then a study done at UC Berkeley in 1948 (on rats) now referred to as the Wolff-Chaikoff (W-C) effect showed that 2 milligrams or more is potentially harmful.

In "The Wolff-Chaikoff Effect: Crying Wolf?", Dr. Guy Abraham explains the limitations of this study and how it was misinterpreted.

Dr. Flechas has found that TSH (which is what stimulates your thyroid to make tyroxine) may indeed increase temporarily as your thyroid begins to produce enough thyroid hormone for all its needs. The levels will return to normal once this has occured.

Indeed, many people have found this to be true when they first start supplementing and then find that when tested again later their levels have returned back to normal.

Dr. Janet Lang (ww.drjlang.com) touches on the role that magnesium and selenium can play in minimizing reactions to iodine. In her paper she also discusses:

*Hyperthyroid Response - This can occur in people w/thyroid nodules (dx'd by u/s) - they can take iodine, but should do so slowly and while being monitored.

*Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Considered an autoimmune disease. Dr. Lang states that they are usually iodine deficient and the iodine can intensify thyroid gland disfunction. They can take iodine, but should be monitored with frequent thyroid tests.

[pampered_mom]

Web Resources

There's a Yahoo Group on Iodine that was formed in January 2006.

The same group also has a website, http://www.iodine4health.com/, which has lots of information including a good search engine.

There are several interview on the site as well including:
Dr. Jorge Flechas, M.D., Dr. Donald Miller, M.D., and Dr. Russell Blaylock, M.D..

Dr. Donald W. Miller is a professor of surgery at the University of Washington and has published an article on the benefits of iodine, as well as examining the W-C effect. You can find his iodine articles by going to his website, www.donaldmiller.com and scrolling down to the Iodine section.

Dr. Richard Orlee and Charles Walters teamed up to write "Minerals for the Genetic Code". Dr. Orlee gave a talk to famers in Michigan that you can listen to at www.eminerals.info/drrichpasa07.mp3

The Vitamin C Foundation is dedicated to promoting Vitamin C, but they have also taken an interest in Iodine and have several web videos posted including ones on Iodine as a Chelator of Mercury, Iodine Deficiency and the link to Breast and Prostate Cancer, Iodine Detox, and the link I gave above about Iodine and Iodide Basics. All of these videos are by Dr. Brownstein.

Dr. Brownstein has a website as well at www.drbrownstein.com

Optimox has many iodine research publications listed on their website from Dr. Abraham and other Iodine docs mentioned previously.

Dr. Jonathan Wright has a section of his Tahoma Clinic website devoted to Iodine.

Dr. Flechas also has a section of his website devoted to Iodine.

[pampered_mom]

A Controversial Issue

I know I said I was done earlier, but then I was looking up something else and thought it might be prudent to add this to the discussion as well...

As I'm sure you can guess the topic of Iodine supplementation above the US RDA is a controversial subject. At this point in my TF journey I'm used to being on the opposite side of controversial subjects than the medical/governmental powers that be. But, at the same time I didn't want the information presented to be a bed of roses.

Dr. Alan Gaby wrote an editorial in response to the Iodine discussions brought about by the doctors I mentioned previously.

Which then sparked a rebuttal by Drs Abraham and Brownstein.

And then a counter-rebuttal by Dr. Gaby.

Ok...and now I really am done for the day. Be back tomorrow for some more specific examples on the value of iodine as well as the complicating factors (hallogens and foods to limit). Ooooo...and some food sources! Yummy!

[jamie79]

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[Panserbjorne]

I had my iodine levels tested...about 1.5 years ago and came up abysmally low. I have been supplementing with Iodoral ever since with occasional re-testing. IT has made a WORLD of difference.

[pampered_mom]

firefaery - pricewise...how expensive are you finding the Iadoral?

[Panserbjorne]

It's okay. buy it through my doc. It's $39.95 a bottle. IT lasts me about 2 months at this point. Worth every penny.

[gabella06]

:

[applejuice]

Jonathan Wright still has a license? I recall he was raided by the FDA about 20 years ago. I saw him speak over 20 years ago.

The Middle of the United States used to be called the goiter belt because the soil was very poor in iodine due to the wearing of the top soil by a glacier eons ago. My Favorite Aunt had a goiter as a young woman. Many people would take a drop of iodine and put it in a glass of water once a day or once a week as needed.

There is a link that I read about to breast cancer and lack of iodine years ago. I think I read about it in Prevention Magazine in the 1960s.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by applejuice

Jonathan Wright still has a license? I recall he was raided by the FDA about 20 years ago. I saw him speak over 20 years ago.

As far as I know...

And you're right...I don't think any of the information is all that "new" per se. I'll have to see if I can find the Prevention article!

You can also get Iadoral via the Breast Cancer Choices website and then the proceeds go towards supporting their Iodine Investigation Project. Just another option out there if anyone is so inclined.

[Ruthla]

Do I need to worry about iodine levels if I eat a lot of sea veggies?

[bigknitwit]

and what abot for those of us who don't eat a lot of sea veggies? I had my iodine levels tested using the skin test and mine came out fine (took 20ish hours to be absorbed), but I wonder if this method of testing is accurate?

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

Do I need to worry about iodine levels if I eat a lot of sea veggies?

Depends on which sea veggies you eat and some other factors from my understanding. Here's what I understand for iodine concentrations in sea veggies:

Alaria....................16.6mg per 100g
Dulse....................5.2mg per 100g
Kelp......................45.3mg per 100g
Laver....................1.4mg per 100g
Hiziki.....................40mg per 100g
Arame...................98-564mg per 100g
Kombu...................193-471 per 100g
Wakame.................18-35 per 100g
Nori.......................0.5mg per 100g
Rockweed...............153.7mg per 100g
Bladderwack............65mg per 100g

And then the iodine content can vary by season, drying method, and storage method. 100 grams of seaweed is roughly equivalent to 3.5 oz.

For those who don't eat sea veggies or are wondering about a good source, the Maine Seaweed Company has some economical packages of seaweed available.

And then, for those sourcing sea veggies, it's a good idea to check into the company's practices in order to ensure that there aren't other contaminants in the sea veggies that they would have picked up from the sea water.

Then...I would just suggest ensuring that you also have good sources of selenium, niacin, magnesium, and vitamin C in your diet as all can help your body use the iodine better.

The only issue remaining then is the presence of other halogens in our diet (fluoride, chloride, and bromide). BUT...if you don't eat a lot of commercially produced bread products (they use bromate as a dough conditioner) and avoid things like Mt. Dew, Gatorade, etc and try to avoid sources of fluoride and chloride it's probably not as much of an issue as it would be for...say...my husband!

Originally Posted by bigknitwit

and what abot for those of us who don't eat a lot of sea veggies? I had my iodine levels tested using the skin test and mine came out fine (took 20ish hours to be absorbed), but I wonder if this method of testing is accurate?

There are actually a couple of methods for testing iodine levels - one of them being the skin test. I just have to get to that part of the information I have and I'll get a better answer the the off the top of my head guess I have right now.

[westcoastmom]

Originally Posted by firefaery

I have been supplementing with Iodoral ever since with occasional re-testing. IT has made a WORLD of difference.

How much do you take? How long did it take to show a difference? Do you do anything else to support the iodine?

I have Iodoral.

[Panserbjorne]

I did 4 a day for a year then started to back down. I noticed a difference with my initial load (urine test) bu tby the end of a week there was a very noticable change.

I also take magnesium, calcium, vitamin C (SA and cofactors), CLO for A & D...

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by bigknitwit

and what abot for those of us who don't eat a lot of sea veggies? I had my iodine levels tested using the skin test and mine came out fine (took 20ish hours to be absorbed), but I wonder if this method of testing is accurate?

From what I've read the patch test is not accurate. I don't have a link, but I think I found the information in the "Chelating Mamas" thread in the dental forum.

[moneca]

I get our iodine capsules from Dr. Ron Schmid :

http://drrons.com/iodine-iodide-complex.htm

Moneca

[Brookesmom]

Can't wait to read up. I'm getting my iodide levels tested at the lab today along with my thyroid (free T3 etc) and vitamin D per my holistic M.D. to see if I'm on the right track with my adrenal fatigue...

-Kelly