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

http://www.naturodoc.com/iodine.htm

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/05/04/iodine-deficiency-affect-childs-brain-function.aspx

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/iodine12345/

http://iodineresearch.com/ortholoadingtest.html

http://hakalalabs.com/testing.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?Hashimotos:-The-Iodine-Iodide-Issue&id=6047388

http://www.drdach.com/Thyroid_Nodules.html

http://cypress.he.net/~bigmacnc/drflechas/index.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509517/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodine

http://thyroid.about.com/od/thyroidbasicsthyroid101/a/5lies.htm

http://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/articles/can-taking-iodine-cause-an-autoimmune-thyroid-condition/

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/lyme-disease-support-forums/medicine-treatments/10006906-is-iodine-safe-for-all-lyme-hashimotos-patients

http://www.thyroid.org/iodine-deficiency/

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2011/oct2011_The-Silent-Epidemic-of-Iodine-Deficiency_01.htm

http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20140526/iodine-deficiency-common-in-pregnancy-pediatricians-warn

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-QuickFacts/

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/vitaminsupplement/a/iodine.htm

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-QuickFacts/

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDRd40VK5PY

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

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

Anesthetics (general)	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

http://www.localhealth.com/article/iodine-deficiency/symptoms

 

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

http://iodineresearch.com/ortholoadingtest.html

http://hakalalabs.com/testing.html

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.

 

 

DR. JECKYLL AND MR. THY…PERSONALITY CHANGES WITH THYROID DISEASE

Last week a co-worker emailed to me a link with one of those personality tests. This particular test is called “How Emotionally Intelligent Are You”.  She must have read my mind, somehow knowing I needed a little workday intermission. From time to time, any distraction is welcomed, especially during those times when you are heading into a comatose-can’t-concentrate-anymore moment. Getting up to sign for a FedEx package or doing the vending machine stare down (even though you aren’t going to purchase anything)…these are office respite techniques, helpful for resting the eyes and hopefully getting back into focus.

Although I have done a ton of personality tests – in high school, college, for jobs, and for fun it dawned on me, after receiving her email, that I had never done one post thyroid disease.

Some experts say that our personalities do not change significantly throughout our lives. My guess is that these so-called experts have never tracked subjects pre, mid and post thyroid dysfunction. I do not know what the scientific definition of personality is. To me, with CTL simplicity,  it means how we behave ourselves. The years while at the peak of my thyroid dysfunction, my behaviors changed dramatically.

I became extremely insecure, confused, argumentative, irritable, intolerant, fearful, pessimistic and on my really really bad days – apathetic. On those bad days, I wanted nothing to do with the human race. Interaction was kept to a minimum; I hid from the FedEx man.

The mental and physical changes occurring in people with thyroid disease are sometimes hard to fathom, even doctors don’t truly understand what all is going on in our body.

I wrote a little bit about my ten year saga in the previous blog post; looking back, though, I wish I would have taken several personality tests, doing my own informal study – perhaps, doing one each year, keeping a diary of any drastic changes as I battled to achieve optimal to remission.

I’m not sure, where you are with your healing journey, below is the link to the personality test, make sure you read the entire bottom portion after getting to your results. This could be an eye opening experience to those who haven’t made the thyroid/personality connection.

Tell me what you think. Do you think your personality has changed, due in part to thyroid disease?

How Emotionally Intelligent Are You

CTL

NEW DIAGNOSIS - WHAT YOU MAY HEAR REPEATEDLY

It’s a New Year, so typically it’s customary for the resolutioners to start this and quit that.

But, for those of us who are seasoned autoimmunees and thyroid sufferers, our resolution…err um…perhaps… focus…is a better word, centers around our health.

With my health in the forefront of my mind every year, I have made huge strides in getting back to normalcy and in some cases exceeding my expectations…However, I do still have problem areas that I continue to work on with much effort (my eyes, skin and weight) Ah yes, the thyroid affects so much!

But enough about me, since this is a New Year, I want this blog post to center around those who just received a new diagnosis and who is beginning their journey of wellness in 2014.

To help you on your journey as a newbie, I want to highlight things that you will repeatedly hear from others:

1. “But you don’t look sick” Or “You look fine to me” OR “Are you sure you don’t feel like doing anything?” - Hearing this, can be frustrating at times, but try not to let it bother you…even though, you want to shout out to the world “YOU HAVE NO IDEA!!” Undue stress, is the absolute one thing you don’t need in your life right now. Stress will slow down your healing process for sure. Plus, it’s not their fault, they don’t have your affliction and don’t know what you are enduring…AND since you wouldn’t wish this on your worst enemy, I’m sure you wouldn’t want them to know what your illness actually feels like…right?...right? Hmmm, I can’t really hear you…

2. “It’s not thyroid related, that’s what happens when you get older” – How do you combat this? Well, unless you are Benjamin Button, you are, in fact, always getting older. Sigh…So, just know this is the stock answer you will receive from many healthcare providers who have no idea and are without any solutions to your symptoms. If you get this answer, quickly MOVE ON, to another provider, don’t waste your time. You aren’t supposed to completely fall apart during the aging process, I was given this silly answer by a doctor in my thirties.


3. “Do your own research”– You will hear this advice from others who have the disease. Most MD’s aren’t too keen on you doing research as they want you only to listen to THEIR suggestions about YOUR body. If you have an unyielding doctor who refuses to work collaboratively regarding your health…again, move on. I can’t stress this enough. When I first heard someone say that their healing began when they started doing their own research, they didn’t necessarily get hung up on their disease, but concentrated more so on what the thyroid controls. This is excellent advice because it causes one to focus on wellness instead of the sickness. Our disease is primarily what traditional doctors focus on. I wanted to focus on what a well thyroid does and work towards this functionality with fixing depletions, through diet and balancing hormone levels. THIS IS A LOT OF WORK, but worth it.

I raise my glass of healthy H20 and propose a toast, to my thyroid family new and old, may 2014 bring you much health, healing and happiness.

CTL

Don't forget to get your copy of my thyroid book, Wow Your Mom Really is Crazy. Buy it on Amazon today.

EVERYBODY WAS FORUM FIGHTING

Forum - an assembly, meeting place, television program, etc., for the disscusion fo questions of public interest.

Thread - A set of posts on a forum, composed of an initial post about a topic and all responses to it.

If you've vistied a social media forum for those with thyroid conditions, you've probably read, started or contributed to some "forum fighting". Unfortunately, a little non-love can break out at any moment in these support groups. But, I hope this doesn't deter you from going back because, for the most part, there's a lot of great information and camarderie amongst these groups.

If you want to stay away from any forum fighting, these are the things to avoid:

The MAIN three topics to avoid in a thyroid forum:

     1. Healthy diet - DIET is the most horrendous four-letter word, don't ever bring up eating a healthy diet...EVER!

     2. Exercise

     3. Saying, "You may not feel well even after conventional treatments" - ... adding that it may take a lifestyle change. Ooohhh these are figting words.

Also avoid:

     1. Not answering the initial question on a forum post.
          Q. How much vitamin D do you all take?

           A. You should talk to your doctor.(This response is frustrating because this may be the same doctor who refuses to test their T3, what do you think they are going to say about vitamin D...nada)

     2. Telling someone to "Do their research" - Can come across as dissmissive and condescending. Getting on the forums and asking questions could be a part of their research.

     3. Telling someone to "Talk to their doctor" - I'm pretty sure you won't get sued if you decide not to use this disclaimer on an internet thyroid forum.

     4. Using harsh tones when you are passionate about a subject.

          Q: I'm thinking about getting my thyroid removed, has anyone had this done? Please tell me your experience.

          A: Why in the world would you do this to yourself? I would never do this!

     5. People who are looking for personal experiences and are bombarded by Googled links (This may also fall into category of not answering the question)

          Q. Has anyone tried CoQ10, if so, how did it make you feel (keywords here are "how did it make YOU feel".)

          A. Check out CoQ10rocksyoursocksoff.com

     6. Advice being offered from someone who doesn't have a thyroid condition - "My favorite cousin's best friend's sister has thyroid disesae and she is fine because she meditates while listening to a CD called Desert Sands twice a week".

     7. Thread "hijacking" or changing the subject - I've seen this act draw the ire of many many people. I personally don't get mad at this because "attention deficit" is what most of us thyroidians do best, watch how quickly a thread can shift subjects, it can be quite comical.

Remember to not say things like:

"In my opinion" (inserting the word "humble" will only make things worse. Ever notice that the people who use the world humble in this phrase...aren't?)

 "Just my point of view"

"This is what think"

Please note: You are probably wrong anyway...ya know...with your brain fog and all, so try not to have a point of view or an opinion.

There you have it, reasons for forum fighting (in my humble opinion). Please don't ever think that the extreme hormonal shifts we suffer from or the mood swings, the fatigue, seeing someone eat junk food and not gain a pound, joint pain or our general malaise has anything to do with the arguments on these forums, on the contrary, it is because of all those scenarios I've mentioned above.

I'll bet the forums having to do with politics or religion don't have the same kind of melees we have.

Kidding aside, I've been a part of many thyroid forums for several years now, and yes an argument breaks out now and then, but this has not deterred me from staying on them. I have met some of the most beautiful, amazing and strong individuals. They have helped me through some tough times. Yes we fight, but we also laugh and cry together. I need my time with these supporters because at the end of the day, they are the ones in my life who get it.

FOR THYROID CARE GO SEE A...PART II

From Web MD


The Appeal of Integrative Medicine
“What makes integrative medicine appealing? Advocates point to deep dissatisfaction with a health care system that often leaves doctors feeling rushed and overwhelmed and patients feeling as if they're nothing more than diseased livers or damaged joints. Integrative medicine seems to promise more time, more attention, and a broader approach to healing -- one that is not based solely on the Western biomedical model, but also draws from other cultures.

"Patients want to be considered whole human beings in the context of their world," says Esther Sternberg, MD, a National Institutes of Health senior scientist and author of The Balance Within: The Science Connecting Health and Emotions.”


If you haven’t heard of integrative medicine, you will. Populations are getting sicker and it is evident within the medical community, change is needed.

Conventional vs. Integrative


Conventional Medicine – has no model for health/well-being. It focuses on disease suppression and it is reactive.

Integrative Medicine – Designed to treat the person, not just the disease. Both doctors and patients alike are bonding with the philosophy of integrative medicine and its whole-person approach.



See the illustration below

If you can’t find an integrative doctor in your area, look for these keywords in a medical practice, as they are the next best thing.

• Complimentary (I switched from an Endo practice to a “complimentary” practice)

• Alternative

• Healing

• Functional

I was always under the impression conventional doctors were primarily in the business of wellness/healing until I began working in the medical field. And then, it wasn’t until I acquired a chronic disease did this newfound knowledge had become my reality. What I’ve learned behind the scenes is that insurance companies, medical associations and big pharma are the ones dictating our healthcare. This means doctors are required to adhere to all of the industry’s respective guidelines when it comes to your health….meanwhile, you keep getting sicker.

If you’ve been treated with radiation or had your thyroid removed, but still not feeling any better…you’ve probably asked your Endo to check other things, like your hormone levels, T3, vitamin and mineral levels, but they’ve refused. If this has happened to you, it is possible that this could be the reason:

Your doctor (primarily a specialist, like the Endocrinologist) has to follow the medical “gold standard of care” guidelines set forth by the “powers that be” for thyroid care, if they don’t they could be subject to:

• Insurance Claims Denials – Doctors won’t get paid for their service; they would have to “eat” the cost of serving the patient.

• A reprimand

• Criminal charges – If doctors continue to prescribe tests/treatments that are deemed not a “medical necessity” they could be brought on fraud charges.

BUT THERE’S GOOD NEWS!

Remember my analogy in the last blog post. Math, Science and English teachers must teach those subjects according to the guidelines of their associations, but the Social Studies teacher could technically teach all three subjects, without a reprimand.

The integrative doctor is just like the social studies teacher. They have a bigger canvas to paint on and it’s accepted.

Isn’t it silly that all you have to do is call yourself something else and the insurance companies and others will not deny the patient’s treatment? Perhaps this is why “integration” is growing in popularity.

For emergent immediate needs to “stop the bleeding” so to speak, a conventional doctor may be ideal in some cases, but for on-going chronic conditions that the conventional doctor can’t/won’t address, an integrative doctor may be worth looking into.

Click here to find a doctor in your area who practices integrative medicine in the U.S.


CTL