Why Iodine is Vital for Thyroid Function

Why Iodine is Vital for Thyroid Function

Iodine is vital for thyroid function because it helps in the production of thyroid hormone. According to The Iodine Crisis by Lynne Farrow, iodine is an essential micronutrient needed by every cell in the body. In recent years, iodine deficiency has become a public health crisis because iodine can displaced by environmental toxins. People are exposed to these bromine, chlorine and fluoride toxins every day through drinking water, medications, body products, make up, toothpaste and more. 1

Risks of Iodine Deficiency

The World Health Organization has recognized up to 72% of the world’s population is affected by an iodine deficiency disorder 2 According to Dr. Brownstein, iodine deficiency may result in the following severe medical conditions:

  • Cretinism
  • Mental Impairment
  • Reduced intellectual ability
  • Goiter
  • Infertility
  • Increased risk of of breast, prostate, endometrial, and ovarian cancer
  • SIDS
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • ADHD

Iodine is Vital for Thyroid Function

Iodine is not only necessary for the production of thyroid hormone, it is responsible for the production of all other hormones 3 Since the body does not make Iodine on its own, we need to get iodine from food or supplemental sources.

Brief History of Iodine

For over 100 years, iodine has been known as the element necessary for thyroid hormone production. 4 Records showing the use of iodine as a “universal medicine” date back 150 years. Archaeological records from over 15,000 years ago show iodine use in the form of seaweed [re]Farrow, Lynne. The Iodine Crisis. Devon Press. 2013. xviii.[/ref]

Since the 1970s, we’ve become iodine deficient because bromine has purged iodine from our bodies.[re]Farrow, Lynne. The Iodine Crisis. Devon Press. 2013. page 25.[/ref]

We know from world studies that if you give iodine during pregnancy the babies that come out are usually 20-30 point higher in IQ than their parents – Jorge Fechas, MD, MPH

Do I get enough Iodine from Salt?

First it’s important to know not all sources of salt have iodine. With salts that have added iodine, a significant amount of iodine may evaporate before the salt arrives in your kitchen. The longer iodized salt sits the less iodine remains. [re]Farrow, Lynne. The Iodine Crisis. Devon Press. 2013. page 166-167.[/ref]

In addition, according to Dr. Browenstein, the use of iodized salt has not eliminated iodine deficiency disorders. Studies by the NHANES show iodine levels have dropped 50% in the USA over the last 40 years. [re]Brownstein, David. Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It. Medical Alternatives Press. 2014. page 44.[/ref]

Testing for Iodine Deficiency

Dr. Guy E. Abraham suggests The Iodine Loading Test to determine whether a person has iodine insufficiency. To order the Iodine-Loading Test try FFP Labs at 877-900-5556 or Hakala Labs. 5

Basics of the Iodine Protocol

Dr. Guy Abraham, MD, David Browenstein, MD, and Jorge Flechas, MD have used the Iodine Supplementation Protocol to treat over 4,000 patients with iodine. 6. Read  The Iodine Crisis to understand the Iodine Protocol. Here is a summary of the Iodine Protocol:

  • 50mg Iodine Daily in the form of Iodoral or Lugol’s Solution Tablet Formulation (starting at 12.5mg).
  • Some practitioners may recommend another form of iodine such as Lugol’s Solution Liquid or Nascent Iodine
  • Vitamin C: 3,000 mg per day in divided doses (more be necessary to detox bromide)
  • 300-600 mg magnesium in the form of magnesium oxide, magnesium glycerinate or magnesium citrate depending on preference
  • 200 mpg selenium (patients preferred selenomethionine)
  • 500 mg niacin (B3) twice a day (not niacinimde). Starting at a lower dose to avoid flush.
  • 100 mg Vitamin B2 three times a day, or use the ATP Cofactor instead
  • 1/2 TSP unprocessed sea salt added to meals
  • 1/4 TSP unprocessed salt in 8 oz. water twice daily or as needed for detox
  • A comprehensive vitamin and nutrition program

Lugol’s Solution

Lugol’s solution is a mix of elemental iodine and potassium iodine, first made in 1829. It was named after French physicist J.G.A Lugol. [re]http://alternativa-za-vas.com/en/index.php/clanak/article/lugols-solution[/ref]

Lugol’s 5% the strongest formula legally available in the USA contains Iodine 2.5 mg, Iodide 3.75 mg for a total of 6.25 mgs total per vertical drop.

Buy Lugol’s Solution of Iodine 5%

Lugol’s Solution Tablet Formulation

The tablet formulation of Lugol’s Solution contains the same ratio of Potassium Iodine and Iodine in Lugol’s Solution liquid. Tablets can be more convenient for traveling.

Nascent Iodine

Nascent iodine is an atomic rather than its molecular form of iodine. Because nascent iodine is an iodine atom that has an incomplete number of electrons, it can hold an electromagnetic charge. Nascent iodine has a large energy release.

Since nascent iodine is recognized by the body as the same iodine that is produced by the thyroid, it is absorbed effortlessly by the body. 7.  Nascent Iodine is a highly stable mono-element, nano-colloidal iodine not bound by mineral salts such as calcium or potassium.  This formula allows the body to efficiently utilize every drop to support thyroid and cellular iodine levels.

Notes:

  1. The Iodine Crisis, Lynne Farrow, p.219-229
  2. Brownstein, David. Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It. Medical Alternatives Press. 2014. page43.
  3. Brownstein, David. Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It. Medical Alternatives Press. 2014. page 25.
  4. Brownstein, David. Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It. Medical Alternatives Press. 2014. page 24.
  5. The Iodine Crisis, Lynne Farrow, p.199-200
  6. Farrow, Lynne. The Iodine Crisis. Devon Press. 2013. page 201.
  7. http://drsircus.com/iodine/sources-and-uses-for-iodine-iodine-to-rescue/
Miss LizzyWhy Iodine is Vital for Thyroid Function

Latest Update on My Medicine for Hypothyroid and Adrenal Fatigue

Hi my friends,

It’s been a while since I’ve posted about my medicine, and it’s been an interesting year! So I wanted to share what I’ve learned. First, I want to say wow – it’s all a big experiment! And that’s tough sometimes because I want the answer right now. But the only way to learn is try, test, observe and somehow be patient along the way. So my dear friends, keep at it and you will find answers too. Here is my medicine and general update…

Update on Thyroid Medicine

For a year I have been on the Thyroid compound prescription I special order from Collier’s Pharmacy (details below) in Arkansas. I continue to love it. On the new compound medicine, I take 180mgs day which seems like the right dose for me. On Naturthroid, when I raised above 130mgs I had super freaky hyper and hypo symtpoms. Yet on the compound I can take 180mg beautifully. Weird, isn’t it? So I am super happy to report feeling great now though on the compound. We affectionality call it “The Miss Lizzy Compound” — you can ask for it by name at Colliers. Neat.

Update on Hydrocortisone

The other super big change…I weaned off Hydrocortisone! This was a huge step. I started Hydrocortisone three years ago to help with low cortisol and adrenal fatigue. And Hydrocortisone definitely helped me. But I was always a little worried that the Hydrocortisone was causing some weight gain, and perhaps had something to do with hair loss, though I wasn’t totally sure. This summer I decided it was time to try weaning off Hydrocortisone. Here is what I did:

  1. On STTM Janie felt she had avoided adrenal fatigue because of the high doses of Vitamin C she took daily. So I increased my Vitamin C to 2k mgs a day along with 1k mg Bioflavonoid (per Dr. Wilson’s suggestion). And btw — chewable vitamins really make it much more fun!
  2. I started the process of decreasing my Hydrocortisone by 2.5mgs a week.
  3. If I was stressed during the process, I would hold the dose, and then continue when I felt ready. The idea was to take care of my body and not cause shock.
  4. If had I felt any adrenal fatigue symptoms, I would have stayed on the Hydrocortisone but luckily it seems my adrenals are really well healed now! YAY!!!

It took about 3 months to fully wean off the Hydrocortisone (long time, I know!). And I happy to report, I feel great. It was definitely worth it for me to be on the Hydrocortisone but it was time to try without. It’s been two full months, and so far I seem to be keeping my weight down with greater easily. Over the coming months I will be observing weight gain/loss and hair volume/regrowth to see if the Hydrocortisone might have be related. And of course I will share what I learn!

xxoo

Lizzy

~~~~

Here is the info for Collier’s. The pharmacist Rodney at Colliers is SO awesome. He gave us his direct phone extension for ordering the compound (479) 935-4336. Ask for “The Miss Lizzy Compound” and he will hook you up. (A doctor’s prescription is of course needed and he can explain what to do.)

Miss LizzyLatest Update on My Medicine for Hypothyroid and Adrenal Fatigue

My Treatment for Hypothyroidism and Adrenal Fatigue

Hypothyroidism is closely tied to Adrenal Fatique, and the symptoms overlap, so I found I needed to treat both conditions to reach an optimal health level. My one regret is that it took me 2 years to get there, so I really wish I had been more proactive.

From what I read on Stop the Thyroid Madness, its best to treat Adrenals first to strengthen the body so it can handle the Thyroid medication.  Here is a summary for treating Hypothyroidism and Adrenals, but please research and talk with your doctor about what might work for you.

 

Thyroid Treatment

According to Stop the Thyroid Madness the commonly prescribed “T4-only” Synthetic Thyroid Medicines Don’t Work. And further explain why many patients, like myself, have returned to the medication that successfully used from the late 1800’s onward: natural desiccated thyroid hormones, more commonly known as Naturethroid, Erfa’s Canadian “thyroid”.

I use Naturethroid because of the good feedback from other patients. It took time and experimentation to find the right Thyroid medicine dose for me (I hear this is common) but I started slow.  Here is what I do:

• 2.5 pills of Naturethroid a day

• One pill in the morning, another at mid-day, and a half pill before dinner.

• This part is critical: I let the pill dissolve under my tongue because it gets into blood stream faster. (Swallowing the pill means I have to avoid eating eating for hours, which is just a pain in the neck.)

 

Adrenal Fatigue

My adrenal fatigue symptoms included:

• Difficulty falling asleep at night

• Waking frequently during the night

• Difficulty waking in the morning, not feeling refreshed

• Bright lights bothered me more than others

• Startled easily due to noise

• Dizzy/lightheaded when standing from sitting or from lying down

• Took things things too seriously, stressed, anxious

• Difficulty copying with certain people or events

• Stress related nausea, panic attacks and shaking

• Extreme Fatique

• Taking days to recover from even minor stress

 

This was all due to low cortisol, which I have treated through Hydrocortisone/Cortef (a low dose steroid).  I take 25 mg/day, and stress dose as needed. if you would like more resources please email me, or visit Stop the Thyroid Madness to read about:

Symptoms of Low Cortisol

Testing for Low Cortisol 

Dana’s Story

Finding a Good Doctor

Read my full story about Hypothyroidism

 

Miss LizzyMy Treatment for Hypothyroidism and Adrenal Fatigue