Iodine and Thyroid Health, Testing, and Doses

Importance of Iodine for the Thyroid Gland and Overall Health

Source:  http://www.jcrowsmarketplace.com/drjarvisarthritisandfolkmedicine.aspx 

 "I believe the doctor of the future will be a teacher as well as a physician. His real job will be to teach people how to be healthy." Dr. D.C. Jarvis  

"Iodine is necessary for the thyroid gland's proper performance of its work. All the blood in the body passes through the thyroid gland every 17 minutes. Because the cells making up this gland have an affinity for iodine, during this 17-minute passage the gland's secretion of iodine kills weak germs that may have gained entry into the blood through an injury to the skin, the lining of nose or throat, or through absorption of food from the digestive tract. Strong, virulent germs are rendered weaker during their passage through the thyroid gland. With each 17 minutes that rolls around they are made still weaker until finally they are killed if the gland has its normal supply of iodine. If it does not, it cannot kill harmful germs circulating in the blood as Nature intended it should."  - Dr. D.C. Jarvis

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Iodine: Why We Need it?

Source: http://www.icnr.com/articles/hhp/Iodine2.pdf 

•"It is essential for normal growth and development of children. Deficiency can result in cretinism, mental deficiency, delayed physical and intellectual development and ADHD. 

• Elevates pH.

• Is needed to produce thyroid hormones

• Prevents goiter, autoimmune thyroid conditions, thyroid and other cancers, hypothyroidism. 

• Is antibacterial, antiviral and antiparasitic. 

• Is a mucolytic agent (breaks up mucous)."

The Wonders of Iodine

Source:  http://www.icnr.com/articles/wondersofiodine.html

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Benefits of Iodine for the Immune System and to Prevent Cancer

Source: http://iodine4health.com/overviews/clinicians/miller_clinician.htm

Extra-Thyroidal Benefits of Iodine

http://www.jpands.org/vol11no4/millerd.pdf

      Miller DW, Jr - Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, Volume 11 Number 4, Winter 2006

"In addition to being an essential element in thyroid hormones, iodine has many biological functions. The recommended dietary intake of 100-150 mcg is perhaps 100 times too low. Potential benefits of higher amounts include enhancement of immune function and reducing the incidence of breast cancer. Older studies of therapeutic benefits, particularly with respect to fibrocystic breast disease, need to be updated and expanded."

Iodine for Health

Miller DW, Jr - August 2006

"There is growing evidence that Americans would have better health and a lower incidence of cancer and fibrocystic disease of the breast if they consumed more iodine. A decrease in iodine intake coupled with an increased consumption of competing halogens, fluoride and bromide, has created an epidemic of iodine deficiency in America.

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Dr. Brownstein's Research on the Thyroid and Iodine

Dr. David Brownstein's research is highly recommended to educate patients on the causes of their Thyroid malfunctions. Please read these sources fully to better understand your health condition.  Education is the best prevention.

"Dr. Brownstein feels iodine is the most misunderstood nutrient. He believes it is impossible to achieve your optimal health when there is iodine deficiency present."

• Book:  "Iodine - Why You Need it, Why You Can't Live Without It" - Source:  http://www.healthleadsuk.com/books-and-media/books/iodine-why-you-need-it-why... 

• Presentation by Dr. David Brownstein to future doctors and nurses on Iodine:    http://www.nutri-linkltd.co.uk/articulate/brownstein/part4/player.html

• Education: About Clinical Uses of Iodine (audio interview with Dr. Brownstein):   http://www.naturalhealthsciencenews.org/David-Brownstein-MD-author-of-Iodine-...

• Iodine Medical Conference, 2007, California, USA:  "Iodine - Could this be the Solution to your Health Problems?" -http://fibromyalgiarecovery.com/IODINE%20-%20Solution%20to%20health%20problem...

• Dr. Brownstein - "Iodine and Thyroid Function": www.thyroflex.com/files/ITFunction.ppt

• Dr. Brownstein's Web site:  https://www.drbrownstein.com/homePage.php

Please note that when Dr. Brownstein talks about salt supplementation, he refers to sea salt. Commercial salt contains mostly sodium that can cause high blood pressure when overconsumed, whereas sea salt contains all the minerals that exist (and are needed) in our blood. More about why we need sea salt in our diet:

• Doctor recommended:  http://www.celticseasalt.com/Dr-Recommended-Sea-Salt-W280C549.aspx
• Celtic Sea Salt:  http://www.healthfree.com/celtic_sea_salt.html

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International Center for Nutritional Research:  "Why Are We Deficient in Iodine?"

-Source: http://www.icnr.com/articles/hhp/Iodine2.pdf

"72% of the world’s population is affected by iodine deficiency."

Major reasons:  Exposure to chemicals and nutritional deficiencies.

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Halogen Displacement

 Source:  http://www.altcancer.com/lugols.htm

"Halogens are elements that are one step removed from the "inert elements" (or gases) because they have just one electron missing from their outer shell to make it inert (non-reactive). This makes them quite readily reactive."

Halogens and their atomic weights:

Fluoride  18.99; Chlorine 35.45; Bromide 79.90; Iodine 126.70.

The mechanism behind "halogen displacement" was described by J.C. Jarvis, M.D. (Folk Medicine, Henry Holt & Co., 1958, HB, p. 136) as follows:

"The clinical activity of any one of these four halogens is in inverse proportion to its atomic weight. This means that any one of the four can displace the element with a higher atomic weight... A knowledge of this well-known chemical law brings us to a consideration of the addition of chlorine to our drinking water as a purifying agent. We secure a drinking water that is harmful to the body not because of its harmful germ content but because the chlorine content now causes the body to lose the much-needed iodine..." 

"To counter the effects of Iodine loss, Dr. Jarvis recommended various methods including: (1) Eating foods rich in Iodine: food from the ocean, radishes, asparagus, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, rhubarb, potatoes, peas, strawberries, mushrooms, lettuce, bananas, cabbage, egg yolk, and onions; (2) Painting a small area of the body with tincture of Iodine; and (3) taking preparations known to be rich in Iodine, including cod liver oil, kelp tablets ... "

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TEST YOURSELF FOR IODINE INSUFFICIENCY

Source:  http://www.ehow.co.uk/about_5166526_lugols-iodine-test.html

" Iodine and Thyroid Function

Without enough iodine, the thyroid cannot produce enough thyroid hormones for good health. This iodine deficiency is responsible for goiters, which result when an iodine-starved thyroid gland begins to swell as it tries to trap more iodine from the body. A goiter can swell to the point of being the size of a large grapefruit or even larger on the front of the neck, under the chin. This became evident in Michigan in the 1930s, when nearly 40 percent of the people had a goiter due to the lack of iodine in the soil. 

In 1924, iodine was added to table salt and first introduced in Michigan and other Great Lakes and Plains states that were part of the "goiter belt." By1940, iodized salt was in general use; however, even today, iodine deficiency can still be found in certain areas of the world." 

Testing for Iodine Absorption 

Today, you can easily conduct a simple experiment to see if you body has enough iodine to ensure thyroid hormone production. Even those who have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and are taking oral supplemental thyroid hormones can test their iodine levels. Insufficient levels of iodine can prevent even the supplemental thyroid hormones from being effective. 

You can purchase Lugol's iodine solution at your local pharmacy if you ask for it. You can also purchase it online without a prescription. 

The Lugol's iodine thyroid test is an easy, do-it-yourself test that does not require a doctor's blessing or assistance. Use an eyedropper or brush to paint a 3-inch stain on your belly or upper thigh. Check frequently during a 24-hour period. If the stain disappears in less than 24 hours, it means the iodine has been absorbed by a body and thyroid craving iodine. You are iodine deficient.

The same test can be used to correct your body's iodine levels. As insufficient iodine levels cause the iodine stain to be absorbed very rapidly, you can begin to "feed" your body the iodine that it needs. When the stain disappears, reapply the Lugol's iodine again and continue checking to see if the stain has disappeared. 

Gradually, as your body absorbs enough iodine, the stain will take longer to disappear. Once the patch is still evident after 24 hours, stop the test. Your body should have enough iodine to aid in proper thyroid hormone production or use of supplemental thyroid hormones.

Caution

If you have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid, DO NOT use Lugol's iodine solution to perform an iodine/thyroid function test. Your body is producing more than enough thyroid hormone already."

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DOSES to Become Iodine Sufficient

Source: http://iodine.imva.info/index.php/iodine-dosages/  (please read full Web page for better understanding)

" Dr. Michael B. Schachter says, “The treatment dose when a person is iodine insufficient is generally between 12.5 mg and 50 mg daily. Preliminary research indicates that if a person is iodine insufficient, it takes about 3 months to become iodine sufficient while ingesting a dosage of 50 mg of iodine and a year to become iodine sufficient while ingesting a dosage of 12.5 mg of iodine daily. However, the patient needs to be monitored closely with awareness of possible side effects and detoxification reactions.”  This is quite a bit of iodine and if his statements can be substantiated then most people are using dosages which are much too low. "

"Dr. Abrahams recommends taking 50 mg of Iodine/Iodide as Lugol’s solution (8 drops) daily for 3 months as a loading dose. Lugol’s solution is available online at varying concentrations. Then his recommendation is that dose should be gradually reduced to the 12.5 mg (2 drops) maintenance dosage under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care professional. Dr Abrahams feels that 14 to 15 mg. of iodine/iodide daily is the upper maximum of safety for long term use. This is close to Dr. James Howenstine’s (another prominent iodine advocate) recommended dose of 12.5 mg daily."  

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Body Content of Iodine:  "In adult humans, the body content of Iodine is between 20 and 50 milligrams." Source:  http://www.jstor.org/pss/4140953

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Temporary Effects of High Doses of Iodine  

"With high doses of Iodine, there will be an increase in TSH hormone (to 2, 5 and even 20's), but will decrease in 6 months" (see slide #16 of Dr. Brownstein's presentation). "There will also be excretion of Bromide" (see slide # 15 of same presentation). Source: http://www.nutri-linkltd.co.uk/articulate/brownstein/part4/player.html

Minimizing Strong Detoxification

Increase in Iodine intake should be gradual to avoid strong detoxification effects. Iodine sufficiency can still be achieved in one year by taking the daily requirements of 12.5 mg. Source: http://iodine.imva.info/index.php/iodine-dosages/  

Thyroid Lab Tests

A lab test is usually required every 6 months to monitor Thyroid hormone levels. Consult with your medical practitioner to define a safe reduction of medication as Iodine sufficiency is achieved (elimination of symptoms and normal hormone levels). According to Dr. Richard Shames in his book "Thyroid Power", changes in medication should be no more than 5 mcg at a time.  Source: http://www.thyroidpower.com

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Dietary Needs for Iodine

Source:  http://iodine4health.com/overviews/clinicians/miller_clinician.htm  (please read full Web page)  

"American vs. Japanese Iodine Consumption

The Japanese consume 100 times more iodine than Americans.  95% of the iodine they consume comes from seaweed, which includes kelp, brown algae, nori sheets, red algae, chlorella, green algae.  In a 1964 study, the Japanese ate 4.5 grams of seaweed per day, equal to 13.8 mg of iodine per day.  In a 2001 study, the consumption of seaweed had increased to 14.6 grams per day, equal to 43.8 mg of iodine per day.  The Japanese are very healthy.  Clear evidence that large amounts of iodine cannot be very bad for a population."

Approximately 2/3 of an ounce of seaweed per day can fulfill the daily requirement of Iodine (12.5 mg, based on established medical research). 

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Foods Containing Iodine

Source: http://iodine.imva.info/index.php/iodine-deficiency/

Food	Serving	Iodine (mcg)
Salt (iodized)	1 gram	77
Cod	3 ounces*	99
Shrimp	3 ounces	35
Fish sticks	2 fish sticks	35
Tuna, canned in oil	3 ounces (1/2 can)	17
Milk (cow’s)	1 cup (8 fluid ounces)	56
Egg, boiled	1 large	29
Navy beans, cooked	1/2 cup	35
Potato with peel, baked	1 medium	63
Turkey breast, baked	3 ounces	34
Seaweed	1 ounce, dried	Variable (may be greater than 18 mg)

Macrobiotic Diet

Source:  http://www.kushicenter.com/macrobiotic_en.htm

Minerals regulate most of the functions of the body.  In comparison to taking isolated minerals, when we eat balanced meals that are rich in minerals, we get the nutrients our body needs in perfect balance. The macrobiotic diet emphasis on 50% cereal grains, 10% soups, 30% vegetables and 10% legumes and sea vegetables.

"Macrobiotics emphasize locally grown ... products combined into meals according to the principle of balance between yin and yang properties.... Cereals (and in particular, brown rice), which are seen as being naturally balanced in terms of Yin and Yang make up the main part of the diet. Foods which are either extremely Yin in nature (such as very sweet foods, or dairy products) or extremely Yang in nature (such as very salty foods or red meat) are eaten very rarely if at all."

Dr. Michio Kushi, whose dedicated work has propagated macrobiotics in the world, says that supplements should not be necessary if we follow a balanced diet. However, in some cases, when going through a transition period from an unhealthy to a healthy condition as well as when undertaking a type of conventional or alternative therapy, supplements may be necessary. Source: http://www.natural-cancer-cures.com/supplements-with-macrobiotics.html 

Mineral Content of Seaweed   

"Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Seaweeds used in Chinese Medicine"  

Source:  http://www.itmonline.org/arts/seaweed.htm

"Seaweed draws an extraordinary wealth of mineral elements from the sea that can account for up to 36% of its dry mass. The mineral macronutrients include sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, chlorine, sulfur and phosphorus; the micronutrients include iodine, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, molybdenum, fluoride, manganese, boron, nickel and cobalt. Seaweed has such a large proportion of iodine compared to dietary minimum requirements, that it is primarily known as a source of this nutrient. The highest iodine content is found in brown algae, with dry kelp ranging from 1500-8000 ppm (parts per million) and dry rockweed (Fucus) from 500-1000 ppm. In most instances, red and green algae have lower contents, about 100-300 ppm in dried seaweeds, but remain high in comparison to any land plants." 

Seaweed Recipes:     

http://www.ifood.tv/network/asian_seaweed/recipes

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Iodine Solutions and Tablets

Lugol's Iodine Solutions 2.2% and 5%:  http://bloodrootproducts.com/Lugol's-Lugols-Iodine-C22.html

Lugol's Iodine Solution 5% plus Dr. D. C. Jarvis' book Special Offer:   https://www.jcrows.com/lugolsiodineorderform.html

Lugol's Iodine Solution 12%: http://www.healthleadsuk.com/featured-product/lugols-iodine-solution-12-30ml-...  

Lugol's Iodine Solutions 2.2%, 3%, 7%, 15% :  http://www.altcancer.com/lugols.htm 

Iodoral is the tablet form of Lugol’s Solution, and is easier on the intestinal tract than the liquid form. Iodoral is non-prescription and can be purchased from http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/ .

Supplements Necessary when taking Iodine/Iodide

 Synergistic Supplements: 

1) Source:  Dr. Brownstein, et. al. presenters at the Iodine Medical Conference - Oct. 4-6, 2007 - Coronado, California - “The Safe and Effective Implementation of Ortho-iodo-supplementation In Medical Practice”  - See page 76:  http://fibromyalgiarecovery.com/IODINE%20%20Solution%20to%20health%20problems...

• Magnesium: 

– is an important part of the iodine treatment plan

– deficiency is very common

– nature’s relaxing agent

• 
  Vitamin C:

– Can improve and possibly repair the iodine transport mechanism

• 
  Other minerals:

– Selenium

– Zinc

– Iron

2) Source:  Dr. Jorge Flechas' Protocole - See page 89: http://fibromyalgiarecovery.com/IODINE%20-%20Solution%20to%20health%20problem...

• Iodoral: Dr. Flechas recommends 100 mg (4 tablets in the morning and 4 tablets at noon) - But, please note:  Most of the doctors recommend 50 mg or less! -  Dr. Brownstein recommends to take it slow to avoid strong detoxifying effects - the daily requirement of 12.5 mg may be the safest. Acute health conditions, such as a cancer advance stage, may require higher doses.  Again, these decisions should be made with a licensed practitioner who is experienced in treating patients with Iodine/Iodide.

• Riboflavin (B2) – 300 mg in the morning
• 
  Inositol Hexanicotinate (B3) – 2 tablets in the afternoon
• 
  Vitamin C - 3000 mg
• 
  Magnesium - 200-400 mg (up to 1000 mg)
• 
  Selenium - 200 mcg

3) Source:  Presentation by Dr. Janet R. Lang at the "Weston A. Price 2008 Wise Traditions Conference":  http://www.restorativeendocrinology.com/blog/?p=6

• Dr. Janet R. Lang recommends to find your actual Iodine tolerance, which is different for each person, and taking synergistic supplements, to minimize strong detoxification effects.
• She says that there is no need to race in becoming Iodine sufficient (it can take several months to several years).
• Kelp (seaweed) contains the mildest form of Iodine to take as food. 
• Always remineralize the body before doing heavy detoxification of toxic minerals because the body uses all these minerals to runs its processes when there is mineral deficiency.
• Never give Iodine alone; it is not a single one-size-fits-all dose formula - each person must find an individualized protocole (listen to your inner guidance - how do you feel?).
• Muscle testing should be performed both for the person's needs of Iodine and for the person's tolerance of Iodine.
• Selenium is vital to take along with Iodine (best source is Brazilian nuts, one ounce/day). Use a wholefood source of Vitamin E because it has Selenium as its mineral activator. Organic garlic is another good source of Selenium.
• Magnesium is also very necessary as there is a common deficiency in diet. Iodine is taken into the tissues on the essential fatty acids - the best source is fermented Cod Liver oil, but bioflow is needed to emulsify fats properly, which is in beets.
• Sea salt is very important and will help displace Bromide (see Dr. Brownstein's books).
• B complex, C complex and Vitamin A are also needed.
• All of these supplements are needed and work synergistically to minimize detoxification effects.
• Dr. Lang's Web site:  http://www.restorativeendocrinology.com/
  

The Iodine-Selenium Connection 

"Selenium plays a role in deiodenase, an enzyme required to catalyze the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3)." Source: http://www.jstor.org/pss/4140953

"Deficiencies in Selenium, Vitamin A and iron may exacerbate the effects of Iodine deficiency". Source: Linus Pauling Institute - Iodine, http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iodine/

" Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health but required only in small amounts. Selenium is incorporated into proteins to make selenoproteins, which are important antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidant properties of selenoproteins help prevent cellular damage from free radicals. Free radicals are natural by-products of oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Other selenoproteins help regulate thyroid function and play a role in the immune system." -  Source: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium.asp

Food Sources of Selenium:  

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium.asp

  (1/2 ounce of brazilian nuts, about 2 nuts, provides 272 mcg of Selenium, approx. the daily requirement).

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Disclaimer:  This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any illness; it is provided for educational purposes only. For medical advice, please consult with your licensed medical practitioner.

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