I have read studies after studies that once the person is deficient in iodine, taking supplementation of iodine never restored the thyroid to its former self. However, there were some promising studies, although limited in uptake of iodine concerning taking seaweed instead of Lugols solution, potassium iodide. The search ended and I finally found that when making iodine bioavailable bromine must be present. Therein lies the problem that if thyroid already presently experience low metabolic rate AND taking IODINE doesn't help AND you ended up taking thyroid hormone for the rest of your life. Then something is fishy. So I found the answer:

1: Probl Endokrinol (Mosk). 1978 Jul-Aug;24(4):81-6.
Links
[Morphofunctional characteristics of the thyroid gland after correction of iodine and bromine deficiency]
[Article in Russian]
Polotniuk NA, Detiuk ES.

Experiments were conducted on rats; morphofunctional changes of the thyroid gland in correction of iodine and bromine deficiency, depending on the regimen of the microelements administration in the course of a one-week cycle were studied. Daily administration of a one-week dose of iodine and bromine proved to be most effective in respect to the normalization of the morphofunctional condition of the thyroid gland in animals given iodine-deficient diet. The lowest thyroid gland weight, intensification of the synthetic processes in the thyrocytes, complete utilization of the thyroid gland iodine, and enrichment of the organism with trace elements were noted. Recommendations are given concerning the expediency of the change of regimen of iodine and bromine administration in group antigoiter prophylaxis.

PMID: 683978 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


Iodine and bromine must be taken together.
Go ahead challenge me on that. What have you got to loose, if the thyroid isn't working anyway despite all that iodine supplements you been taking. Don't you think something is missing? Or should you continue taking thyroid hormone for the rest of your life?

More research like this, we should look for. It is a big clue, and unfortunately for the internet, not many will mention this fact either.

Ted