Re: Lisa's Journey: 1st Iodine Experience

My First Experience with Iodine.

My doctor first ordered a 24-hour Iodine loading test in June 2016. When the analysis determined that I excreted 100% of the iodine, I wasn't surprised... When I adopted a gluten-free diet in January 2011 (for irritable bowel), I replaced many wheat products with seaweed. Nori, folded and torn into 16 squares to use like crackers topped with chicken salad; seaweed soup became my typical lunch.

After reading Lynne Farrow's Iodine Crisis, I understood that the test results probably meant that my Iodine receptors were full of bromine and fluoride, and probably atrophied. My doctor had me follow the companion nutrients protocol for three weeks prior to doing the loading test again in October.

This time I retained 20% of the loading dose. My bromine was only .06 points above the upper reference; my fluoride was three times the upper reference. Wow! Then Doc asked me to take 50mg per day for a week and report in... I only lasted three days. I have been disabled by fatigue for 7 years, but this absolutely flattened me. My gut was wrecked and my back hurt in addition to the symptoms I normally have when I have pushed myself too hard, which now includes slurred speech as my adrenal symptoms continue to worsen.

I took 50mg LugoTabs on 10/31, 11/1, and 11/2. Now ten days since my last iodine supplement, my back still feels tender with a burning sensation, my SI joints and hip joints are inflamed, and my 1st morning's urine has a strong, foul odor.

I have been diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency, but have not begun treatment yet because we are still waiting on 24-hour saliva test results. It seems to me that people with adrenal fatigue should not undergo aggressive iodine therapy because it creates a lot of stress that the body cannot withstand when it can't produce enough cortisol to deal with it; this also taxes weak adrenals futher.

I've had two kidney infections, so I know what that feels like. Although the pain I currently have is different from that of a kidney infection, I have to wonder if the malodorous urine suggests a kidney injury. I was prepared for war with this iodine trial -- I had pectin, activated charcoal, Bentonite clay, and psyllium hulls to absorb and move the toxins that would be released, and I added the Iodine Boosters (zinc and Vitamin A) that Lynn now recommends. I also take milk thistle regularly to support my liver because the hormone deficiencies make it sluggish, with slightly elevated enzymes.

I ordered Detoxadine nascent iodine, but I'm going to have urgent care assess my kidney function before I do anything else with iodine. It seems irresponsible to attempt an aggressive iodine therapy without first assessing the patient's ability to handle the toxic burden.

I have continued with the nutritional protocol and chelators because I obviously need them. I don't remember reading how or why the 50mg dose came to be, but maybe working-up slowly, detoxing at a tolerable rate while building strength is the most prudent course of action.

At this point, my thinking is that I should take 3 drops of nascent iodine per day for a week and see how I feel, then once I've begun therapy for adrenal insufficiency I will consider taking the 50mg tablet once per week, or at another interval as I feel is tolerable.

BTW, my ILP (Doc A) has completely missed and denied the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency - that are obvious in my labwork. I had to seek evaluation and treatment from another doctor. This doctor (Doc B) also recommends iodine therapy, but since I just started seeing her, I don't know if she meets Lynn's qualifications as an Iodine Literate Practitioner. Frankly, I am considering dropping Doc A.

Your suggestions and experience are welcome. :-)