Saturday, July 12, 2014

ITEMS THYROID SUFFERERS MAY PURCHASE MORE THAN THE NORM, OR HAVE TO PAY ADDITIONAL FOR:




The other day when I was unclogging the shower drain, it brought me back to the early days of my disease when cleaning the drain had become a daily routine: wake up, get dressed, go to work, cook dinner, help child with homework and remove Chewbacca from the drainpipe.

My hair would come out in clumps; if you haven’t experienced this symptom, it is quite depressing. Thankfully, this mane malady is behind me now.

The recent (now quarterly) drain cleaning, inspired this blog post because It reminded me of the many products I had to go through before coming across that ONE that could penetrate the alien creature to drain restoration.

The plight of a thyroid sufferer doesn’t just encompass the trials and tribulations associated with the countless physical and mental symptoms of this disease. It can break the bank too, but not just with medical costs. The amount of money spent on consumer products to improve our lives can be sickening, and the searching we have to do, is above the norm. We have to find that extra special item that the manufacturer seemed to have in mind, designed specifically for a thyroid patient. This could take days, weeks, and sometimes years.

The following are just a few of the products we have to spend extra time looking for and/or drop extra cash (more than the average) for the right product. I don’t necessarily agree with the top brand names, I have my own faves and I continuously pray that the “discontinued gods” don’t strike down those aisles I frequent – virtual or otherwise.

ITEMS THYROID SUFFERERS MAY PURCHASE MORE THAN THE NORM, OR HAVE TO PAY ADDITIONAL FOR:
 
CONCEALERS
 
 
 
Concealers – Needs due to dark circles, splotches, vitiligo, acne, rosacea

Makeup Geek’s notable THREE:

1.  Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer

2.  Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Concealer

3.  MAC Studio Concealer
 
See more here
 
 
PAIN RELIEVERS 
 

 

 
Pain Ointments, Muscle Rubs – Needs due to joint pain, fibromyalgia, muscle weakness


Amazons Top THREE
1.  Biofreeze
2.  J.R. Watkins Apothecary Petro-carbo medicated first aid salve
3.  Tiger Balm Sports Rub
 
See more here
 
DRAIN CLEANERS

 
Drain cleaners – Needs due to hair loss

Best Consumer Reviews top RATED

1.  Rooto Corp. 1030 1 Lb. Drain Cleaner

2.  InSinkErator BIO-CG Evolution Septic Assist Bio Charge Replacement Cartridge

3.  17OZ Penetrex Gel
 
See more info here 

***If you are trying to avoid chemicals, try this natural method
 LOTION
 
 
Moisturizing lotion for dry skin – Needs due to hypothyroidism
 
Instyle’s notable THREE
 
1.  St. Ives Fresh Hydration Lotion Spray
2.  Chanel COCO NOIR MOISTURIZING BODY LOTION
3.  Sonia Kashuk Body Lotion
 See more info here

HEATING BLANKETS




Heating blanket – Needs due to hypothyroidism

 

Good Housekeeping’s Faves

 

1.  Sunbeam Luxury MicroPlush Heated Blanket

2.  Perfect Fit Plush Warming Blanket

3.  Sunbeam SlumberRest RoyalMink Blanket
 
For more info, click here
 
APPS FOR ORGANIZATION
 
Organize app - Needs brain fog
Forbe’s Top THREE
1.  Things
2.  Rescuetime
3.  Calengoo
See more info here
 
What are your favs? Please share
 
CTL

Don't forget to get your copy of my thyroid book Wow Your Mom Really is Crazy
 




 
 
 
 
 





 

 


Sunday, June 8, 2014

DINE ON IODINE - PART III - IS IT JUST FOR THYROID HEALTH?




Dine on iodine part III

Final post in my blog series and boy have I learned a lot - main things I have learned:

1.     Too much iodine can make you sick

2.     Not enough iodine can make you sick

3.     I have keen deductive skills

Info about 1. and 2. Is here:
 
I have also learned I am deficient (took the self-skin test mentioned in part II)

OK, so let’s get right too it -

Addressing questions where I left off in my last blog post:

Should people with thyroid-related autoimmune diseases supplement with iodine? – Considering the fact that iodine supplementation used to be a treatment for some Graves’ patients, (learning this was a shocker) I would think it would be OK and I am not alone in this thinking, some doctors still use this method as a treatment.  If only I had a time machine, I would go back to pursue this option, instead of getting my thyroid destroyed. Some doctors strongly caution people with Hashimotos from supplementing because of a study done purporting that iodine supplementation can exacerbate the disease. The medical community took that info and ran with it, telling Hash’s folks to stay away from iodine, but what they failed to consider was that those who participated in the study were also selenium deficient. Bottom line, get tested before making the decision to supplement.

What if I don’t have a working thyroid should I take iodine? – My new doctor who I love and trust, handed me the first disappointment of her. She said I should not take an iodine supplement because I no longer have a working thyroid to synthesize it (I had radioactive iodine “treatment). However, two leading professionals in this field sent me this email after I asked this question:

“What are your thoughts on people who have no thyroid via the removal or destruction? Is there a good reason for them to supplement? I cannot find ANY MD who addresses this issue and it is making me salty. LOL.”

Here were their responses:

Lynn Farrow, author of - The Iodine Crisis: What You Don't Know About Iodine Can Wreck Your Life

Carol,

Iodine is not just for the thyroid. Every cell in the body contains iodine. The patient reports in my book describe, brain function, allergies, skin, breast, ovaries, testicles, eyes and many other locations benefit.

Best of luck,

Dr. Eric Osansky, author of, Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease

Hello,

It's a good question, and with regards to "thyroid health" there really isn't a good reason to supplement with iodine if one has received a complete thyroidectomy or if the thyroid gland has been completely obliterated with RAI.  However, iodine isn't just important for thyroid health, as it is important for breast and prostate health, can offer protection against pathogens, helps to prevent a toxicity problem from other halides (i.e. bromide, fluoride), etc.  So if someone has an iodine deficiency yet has no thyroid gland I do think it's important to correct the deficiency.

Best of health,

Dr. Eric

 How much iodine do I need? – Unfortunately, most of your average doctors won’t address the issue of iodine deficiency. It frustrates me when I hear statements like, “Talk to your doctor or get advice from your doctor.” I know this is the responsible thing to say to folks, but let’s be realistic...heck, these are the same MD’s who won’t prescribe T3 or run other tests besides TSH.

After my results showed an iodine deficiency and knowing how my doctor feels on the subject, I decided to supplement on my own. My body is overly sensitive to just about EVERYTHING; therefore, I decided to start slowly by cooking with iodized salt, instead of purchasing a supplement. Just doing that garnered immediate results of bromide detoxification. I’ve done many cleanses throughout my lifetime, so I know the feeling of a detox – fatigue, itchiness, joint pain, etc. After the ill effects of the detox, I immediately noticed a slight decrease in brain fog and my skin and nails significantly improved. I have only been cooking with iodized salt for about three weeks, hoping to see more improvements.

Click here or here for more information about the initial detoxification from bromides, when adding iodine to your diet.

And finally, iodine is not just for thyroid health –Iodine is an essential element for all humans. Just like any area in the body that is lacking a nutrient, you fortify. Do the same with iodine.
 

A recap and important things to remember about iodine

Iodine is not Sodium – many of your processed foods or canned foods have only sodium in it; not iodine.

Iodine is not only good for thyroid health; it is also good for breast, skin, hair, teeth and reproductive organs.

Iodine deficiency can cause immense brain fog.

Iodine, bromide, fluoride and chlorine are in the halogen family. Iodine is the only element within this group essential to humans, but we consume a large amount of the other elements via our food and water.

Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable mental deficiency in the world today.

Natural food sources of iodine are seafood, kelp and plants grown in iodine-rich soil.

Now for the quiz. Sharpen your number two pencils

CTL

 
 
Iodine Resources

Online




















Youtube


Library Books

Elements Chorine Fluorine, Bromine and Iodine, Knapp, Brian. J

Elements Sodium and Potassium, Knapp, Brian. J

The Elements Sodium, O’Daly, Anne

The Elements Iodine Gray, Leon

Saturday, May 31, 2014

DINE ON IODINE - PART II - IS IT JUST FOR THYROID HEALTH?

 

 
Wow, what a controversial subject. From patient forums to medical experts to holistic practitioners to nutritionists, many disagreements and dare I say it, wishy-washy stances on iodine. I have never seen so many not on the same page when it comes to something this essential to the body.
The controversies surrounding these chemical conversations, caused me to want a drink –a frozen margarita lined with iodized salt.
 
At the end of the last blog post (part one in the series), I ended with the question, “Why has iodine deficiencies increased?” This concern is not as controversial. Majority of the experts in the field agree that we are. Here is what has slowly occurred from the 1970’s until now.
·       Foods that used to be fortified with iodine, like milk and bread have been replaced with bromine. Some pesticides, flame-retardants and pharmaceutical drugs have bromine in them (Bromine also depletes the body of iodine)
·       In 1924, the government added iodine to salt, but because of the National Heart Association’s campaign stating that excess salt causes heart disease, many consumers have gone to low-salt diets
·       Salt companies have quietly gone away from iodizing all their product lines and began introducing other salt options without iodine -as iodizing was a strong government recommendation, not a mandate
·       Increased use of fluorinated prescription medication – Fluoride depletes iodine from the body
·       Fluoride added to water. This occurred in the U.S. in 1960, soon after Iodine deficiencies started to increase...hmmmmmm
·       Chlorination to our water supply – Chlorine deplete iodine
·       Poor farming techniques, the soils are depleted of iodine, which means the foods we eat, will also be deficient of this mineral
Bromine, chlorine, fluoride and iodine are all in the same chemical family called halogens.  Since bromine, chlorine and fluoride are in abundance, in just about everything we consume, the body thinks it is iodine and accepts it into body receptors. It thinks it is the essential element iodine because of their similar chemical make-up; meanwhile, the body has bromine, chlorine, and fluoride hanging out in these receptors that it has no business being in; in excess, they are toxic. Thus, not only are they bad for you, they are kicking out what actually needs to be there -iodine
Dr. Edward F. Group, an expert on nutrition, author of the book, The Green Body Cleanse believes the increase of thyroid related conditions, breast and prostate cancers are because of our decreased consumption of iodine.
Plus, with those three aforementioned bullies that are everywhere, environmentally and in most of our food sources, it is apparent we are in an iodine crisis.
To make matters worse, we cannot deny the increased use of prescription medication, some have bromine and fluoride in them.
Medications that deplete Iodine



Anti-fungal antibiotics

Appetite suppressants

Antacids

Antihistamines

Arthritis (rheumatoid)

Anti-anxiety

Antilipemics (cholesterol lowering)

Psychotropic (anti-psychotics)

Antibiotics (Fluoroquinolones)

Anti-malarial

Steroids/anti-inflammatory agents

Antidepressants

Antimetabolites (chemotherapy)

 
 
I have seen reports of anywhere from 10 to 75 percent of the U.S population has an iodine deficiency.  I would be more inclined to believe it is on the higher side.
Therefore, because of all the things out there that are kicking iodine out, sometimes your multi-vitamin supplement isn’t enough to push that evil bromide out and get the amount of iodine you need. 
Guess what, it is not technically the thyroid who is in charge of metabolism - it is iodine. Iodine is the big boss directing the thyroid hormones what to do. Iodine and the thyroid work very closely together. In fact, thyroid autoimmune conditions like Graves and some Hashimotos were once treated with iodine and quite successfully. (For Hashis people they had to be treated with iodine plus selenium). OK, so, if I were a doctor, the first thing I would do, when a thyroid patient dons my doorstep would be to check their iodine levels. The crucial chemical that controls it. Why is there a knee-jerk reaction, then to give medication or offer extreme, radical procedures? That was a rhetorical question, you don’t have to answer that...we both know the answer to that question.
Now we have the options to test on our own, we don’t have to rely on MD’s (who, chances are, won’t perform an iodine test). The best way to see if there is a problem, is test for it...right? Sidebar: For the life of me, I cannot understand, why, when a patient complains of heartburn, a doctor automatically prescribes antacids, without testing. Heartburn is also a symptom of low stomach acid...ummm, doc “So, why aren’t you running tests to check a person’s acid levels in their stomach first before prescribing?” By the way, antacids deplete iodine from the body.
Common symptoms that can occur with prolonged iodine deficiency include:
  • Constipation
  • Depressed mood
  • Dry skin
  • Fatigue
  • Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid, creating a mass in the neck)
  • Increased sensitivity to cold
  • Menstrual cycle abnormalities
  • Protrusion of the eyes
  • Thickening of the skin
  • Fibrocystic breasts
  • Thinning and brittleness of the hair and nails
  • Unintended weight gain
  • Weakness
  • Cysts
  • Mental Impairment – Brain fog
  • Decreased Concentration
  • Difficulties losing weight
  • Fibroid tumors
  • Fibromyalgia
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition
In some cases, iodine deficiency can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:
  • Being a danger to oneself or others, including threatening, irrational or suicidal behavior
  • Bleeding while pregnant
  • Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness
  • Change in mental status or behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations or delusions
  • Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, palpitations
  • Respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, wheezing, not breathing, or choking
 
Iodine tests:
Simple self-test for iodine deficiency:
To check whether you have enough iodine on board, you can try this safe self-test at home. Simply dip a clean ball of cotton in inexpensive red-tinged USP tincture of iodine from any drugstore. Paint a 2-inch circle of tincture of iodine on soft skin tissue, such as the inner arm or thigh.
Now wait – if the yellow-orange stain takes more than 6 hours to disappear, you are likely to be replete with iodine. If the stain is absorbed quickly (within 1–3 hours), your body may need a higher iodine intake.
Other methods of testing
You can also go to your local independent lab to purchase an iodine test.
 
NEXT WEEK
 
Dine with iodine -Part III
I will address these main topics:
Supplementing iodine for people with autoimmune diseases.
What if I don’t have a working thyroid should I take iodine?
Taking iodine and the sickness (detox) that may follow.
How much iodine do I need?
And finally, iodine is not just for thyroid health
 
I am going for that margarita now, see ya
CTL
Again, I will post references at the end of the series (next week) I also emailed experts and they were nice enough to email me back with answers; I will have their responses next week.