Iodine Anyone? page 150

[jo]

bromides are from fire retardants, carpets, furniture, car upholstery, plane upholstery, children's sleepwear, cheap hair color, computers, some asthma medications etc...

Yes I know - I'm not saying that there are NO bromides in my environment - just that there are not so many. Most of those you list don't apply to me. I've checked the furnishings, I don't have kids, no medications, and in NZ where I live bromide is banned as a food additive. I'm more concerned with the issue of heavy metals that are not really discussed here. Bromine detox was tested for by Dr Brownstein because of the environment his patients lived in. It may be different here in NZ, or in the UK as breadsauce mentioned. I lived there for a few years too (bromine as a food additive is also banned there), so she may not have the same bromine detox issues as someone living in the US. I'm not saying I know this for sure, but those of us living outside the US may be facing a different cocktail of toxins.

[justaseeker]

It is true that my detox symptoms were worse at 500mcg than 4mg. What convinces me that it is detox rather than iodine poisoning is that the symptoms disappear after a day or two of continued supplementation. I'm not entirely sure it is bromine detox specifically as I don't think we have the same levels of bromide in the environment here, and certainly not in food products. However there are all sorts of other nasties around.

Yep, that's what convinces me as well.

[justaseeker]

Yes I know - I'm not saying that there are NO bromides in my environment - just that there are not so many. Most of those you list don't apply to me. I've checked the furnishings, I don't have kids, no medications, and in NZ where I live bromide is banned as a food additive. I'm more concerned with the issue of heavy metals that are not really discussed here. Bromine detox was tested for by Dr Brownstein because of the environment his patients lived in. It may be different here in NZ, or in the UK as breadsauce mentioned. I lived there for a few years too (bromine as a food additive is also banned there), so she may not have the same bromine detox issues as someone living in the US. I'm not saying I know this for sure, but those of us living outside the US may be facing a different cocktail of toxins.

Iodine detoxes toxins besides the halides - like mercury. I'm sure that you're right - different environments produce at least somewhat different toxic profiles - but iodine should be helpful pretty much anywhere in the world.

[justaseeker]

Maybe it will help to put iodine supplementation into perspective to mention that most iodine doctors believe that the RDi should actually be around 1.5 mg. While that's ten times what the RDI is now, at 150 mcg, its WAY less than what most people are supplementing while detoxing. So, basically the amount of iodine over 1.5 mg is solely for the purpose of detox - which also includes restoring the normal body saturation of iodine.

In other words, 1.5 mg will maintain a healthy iodine level in a body that (1) is iodine replete, (2) is free of anti-iodide toxins, and (3) is in an environment free of toxins. We might be able to achieve 1 & 2 but not 3 entirely. Still, environments do differ so we could vary in our needs for ongoing detox. Plus, bodies differ in their natural ability to detox - such as the level of kidney and liver function. Young, healthy , clean environment (including diet) would logically need lower levels of iodine for maintenance.

So, for a person taking a "low dose" like 4 mg or 6.25 mg, or so on, they are getting the normal RDI +. The "plus" determines (in part) how fast we detox and restore iodine levels. The notion that a low supplementation would cause more detox is based on the idea that presenting our body with a nice juicy dose of iodine is like offering a nice juicy steak to a SAD starved body. Or like bacon! LOL! I went NUTS over bacon the first few weeks of primal eating. Now, I still love bacon but I don't eat it as often or with the same sort of intensity.

If a person needs to detox a large amount of resistant toxins quickly, and restore iodine levels quickly - say they are fighting cancer - then larger amounts are needed. Early patients of doctors like Brownstein were sometimes detoxed on relatively small amounts like 12.5 mg. Even people with thyroid cancer, like Dr. Buist, detoxed/restored effectively on 50 mg.

[DuhPrincess]

I am definitely with you here in the low corner too! mostly, because like Nivanthe, as soon as I take ANY iodine I get the worst detox symptoms! 225 mcg! Seriously ONE PILL! ! The bloating was the worst, but the headachey, feeling kinda bleugh feeling left me wondering if it was worth it.

I have backed off, because I thought it might be because my pills only contained iodine, NOT iodide. So I am waiting for my Lugols 2% solution to arrive in the post before starting again.

Now that I have paused with the iodine, my primal weightloss and good energy has resumed as it was before. I'm disapointed because I want to cure my endometriosis, and this sounded like a good plan. But, I'm also worried about trashing my thyroid with too much, some folk are of the opinion that supplementation isn't necessarily a good thing... and we've heard jammies feeling like total crap on low doses:

Maybe iodine isn't for everyone? I mean, I know these 'appear' to be detox symptoms... but what if they are in fact, a negative reaction to the iodine? I know that's a controversial comment, but one worth discussing I think.

I eat a lot of seafood and seaweed, and seem to get no adverse reactions to those... could it just be the manufactured supplement form that doesn't agree with me? And not just me, but others too...?

Can we be sure that we're not confusing detox symptoms, with iodine 'poisoning'?

Iodine helps with female issues while Iodide helps the thyroid. I too was using only iodine for years up to 3 mg's (3000 mcg's) for a number of years. I have few female issues (minor if any) but my thyroid has always been a mess. If you have endometriosis, you may be detoxing those areas anyway without having much impact on your thyroid. I can't recommend the brand of iodine that I was using because I recently learned it comes from "zein" which is corn. It's the Prolamine Iodine by Standard Process. It's iodine only. This brand was also on the list of brands to avoid in an iodine protocol pdf posted here a few times. What I'm tossing out there is continuing to use just iodine (but a quality brand) and either use no iodide or a smaller amount to help your endo issue without worrying about your thyroid for now.

[justaseeker]

Iodine helps with female issues while Iodide helps the thyroid. I too was using only iodine for years up to 3 mg's (3000 mcg's) for a number of years. I have few female issues (minor if any) but my thyroid has always been a mess. If you have endometriosis, you may be detoxing those areas anyway without having much impact on your thyroid. I can't recommend the brand of iodine that I was using because I recently learned it comes from "zein" which is corn. It's the Prolamine Iodine by Standard Process. It's iodine only. This brand was also on the list of brands to avoid in an iodine protocol pdf posted here a few times. What I'm tossing out there is continuing to use just iodine (but a quality brand) and either use no iodide or a smaller amount to help your endo issue without worrying about your thyroid for now.

By golly, I think you're onto something there! Would also explain my symptoms. My only iodide intake was the RDI 150 mcg in my multi. BUT, I also supplemented with kelp capsules and ate seaweed occasionally. My thyroid is more of an issue than any female issues - although the female issues were a problem way in the past. Of course, iodine isn't the only explanation for female issues. I did have endometriosis, but only following a tubal ligation, also know to cause endo. Anyway, we don't HAVE to use one of the iodide/iodine pre-balanced blends like Lugols. We could target our issues like you suggest. Merits developing a list of the iodide and the iodine specific targets.

[Gwynn]

Add me to the group that is experiencing fewer symptoms the higher I raise my weekly dose.

Also, I am VERY INTERESTED in knowing if the Lugol's is healing to the stomach lining. DH has gastritis, and an erosion like justaseeker described. He is doing the Iodoral, while I am doing the Lugol's. Maybe he should be on the Lugol's?

Gwynn

[justaseeker]

Add me to the group that is experiencing fewer symptoms the higher I raise my weekly dose.

Also, I am VERY INTERESTED in knowing if the Lugol's is healing to the stomach lining. DH has gastritis, and an erosion like justaseeker described. He is doing the Iodoral, while I am doing the Lugol's. Maybe he should be on the Lugol's?

Gwynn

I've posted that question at the Yahoo Iodine group. Will let you know what I find out. While I wait, I am taking a break from ALL supplements.

Btw, if DH has that erosion he needs to be on a PPI. He's at risk for esophageal cancer otherwise. I resisted that move for years - tried everything under the sun - and never got the erosion to heal until I was on a PPI long enough. Took about 3 months. Now with the primal diet and other changes i rarely have reflux. So, to wake up with it today really got my attention.

Oh and while I'm thinking about it - nix that suggestion to do Betaine HCL if he has an impaired mucosal lining. HCL will tear him up! He has to heal the mucosal lining first and then treat any low stomach acid issues he may have. I suspect that while the visible erosion was healed, that I still have an impaired mucosal lining. I think that iodine is my best bet for getting the deep healing accomplished. I believe that I need to detox heavy metals and that they are one underlying reason for the lining to be damaged. Sorta a catch-22 if I can't tolerate the iodine. Maybe an iodine IV? LOL - but only half kidding.

Anyway, truly the blind leading the blind here but I'm trying certified organic virgin coconut oil to help heal the stomach lining. I started with a little in my coffee then increased a little. Now, today, I am eating spoonfuls out of the jar. Seems to soooth my stomach. I have really kicked my stomach issues into high gear - having gas and burping as well as burning today. I rarely have either any more.

AND, I think that there is more here to my current stomach ills than simply iodine and the ATP cofactors. I did - 20/20 hindsight - a really, really stupid thing! I decided to try an HCL challenge test to see how my stomach was doing these days - and BOY am I finding out!

Well, at least I know what I need to do - continue with a long term stomach healing plan.

Btw, did DH ever have chicken pox? Tell you why I asked later.

[justaseeker]

Btw, its been 24 hours since I had any supplements/iodine and my urine still looks like I'm detoxing - a LOT. Its darkish, cloudy, and has lots of little specks floating around. Normally I have light/clear urine no specks. Even B vitamins are normally flushed in 24 hours so that doesn't account for the color today. Plus, I am PUSHING water right now and have NO fluid retention issues. By now it should be clear and light.

[DuhPrincess]

I'm up to 62.5 mg's of Iodoral starting today. I've noticed some drippy sinuses but nothing too bad. All of the symptoms I've had (tight throat, popping ears etc) have come and gone in one day each so far. I have been having some interesting differences in my TOM which came early again. Lots more tissue than usual. It's like my uterus is getting some serious house-keeping! I also had a tubal 18+ years ago and I do have Estrogen Dominance. I read that a lack of iodine contributes to excess Estrogen so I'm hoping the Iodoral will help along with the other things I also take for it such as DIM & Natpro progesterone cream. I'm feeling quite well otherwise.