Iodine and Thyroid

[Pat Robinson]

I'd be very careful with iodine supplementation and thyroid disease. Many women are thrown into thyroid crisis as a result, due to undetected Hashimoto's disease.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroid disease based on a dysfunctional immune system in which your thyroid is being attacked by your immune system via antibodies. The thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) characteristic of Hashimoto's disease were detected in about half of pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism, and in more than 80% of women with overt hypothyroidism.

Stop the thyroid madness: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/hashimotos/
Dr. Kharrazian re: Iodine and Hashimoto's: http://thyroidbook.com/blog/iodine-and-hashimotos/
Dr. Kharrazian re: Iodine and autoimmune disease: http://drknews.com/some-studies-on-iodine-and-autoimmune-thyroid-di...

The hormones are all interconnected: thyroid, cortisol, progesterone, testosterone and estrogen. Heavy metals and halides block the thyroid receptors. Iodine deficiency can be a variable in hypothyroid issues. Iodine deficiency can be a result of blocked thyroid receptors, also. Autoimmune issues due to impaired nutrient absorption, assaulted immune system due to unrecognized allergies (often due to wheat/gluten), imbalanced gut microbials, etc. could be addressed.

I would much prefer to see women naturally balance their hormones through nutrient support with whole foods and herbal adaptogens which support the body with a multitude of phytochemicals and natural constituents.

Acupuncture, homeopathy, herbalism, TCM herbs are other natural routes to consider for hormonal balancing acutely. Decreasing stress, increasing sunshine, walking and gradual increase in exercise, deep breathing, alkalizing the body naturally with plant foods; balancing the gut microbials; including essential fatty acids in natural forms; decreasing Omega 6 fatty acids; decreasing toxins such as fluoride, chlorine, bromides (in processed foods); decreasing BPA and other xenoestrogens; increasing hydration; adding heavy-metal tested sea vegetables; herbal infusions and minerals in sea salt are all NATURAL healing alternatives to consider.

Additionally, it is important to consume co-nutrient food sources of selenium to help bind heavy metals displaced by the iodine. And chloride (magnesium chloride or sodium chloride) to help escort the halides out.

Adaptogen herbs can help the body's hormone balance. Kelp can help thyroid issues holistically with natural iodine and selenium sources. Also, address the underling causes, such as adrenal exhaustion, estrogen dominance or halide toxin exposures (food additives such as bromides, fluoride, chlorine, etc.).

Even Chris Kresser cautions about iodine supplementation. Although, I would not risk an iodine challenge test, if I had known or unknown mercury issues. http://chriskresser.com/iodine-for-hypothyroidism-like-gasoline-on-...

Here are 621 medical research articles from the US National Library of Medicine regarding natural alternatives and breast cancer: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/guide/health-guide-breast-cancer

• 10pm Bedtime
• Adrenal Fatigue
• Thyroid 101
• Got Hashimoto's
• Estrogen Dominance
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• Sleep Deprivation
• Postpartum Depression
• PMS, Irritability & Rage
• Parenting & Rage (self-care tools)

Pat Robinson

[Gini]

Very good information, thank you! Would it be possible to add a photo so we could share it on Pinterest?  :)

[Pat Robinson]

sure.

[Pat Robinson]

Sea vegetables are an excellent source of iodine. Yogurt, cow’s milk, eggs, and strawberries are very good sources of iodine. Good sources include mozzarella cheese.

Iodine Food Sources: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=69
Sea Vegetables: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=135

I am very comfortable choosing real food sources for my nutrients. [No financial affiliation.] For instance, “Maine Coast Sea Vegetables Wild Atlantic Kombu Kelp” is tested for:

Pesticides
Herbicides
Petroleum Residues
PCBs
Heavy Metals
Microbiological Contaminants
Radioactivity

Testing & Purity: http://www.seaveg.com/shop/index.php?main_page=page&id=21&c...

Pat Robinson

[Pat Robinson]

National Institute of Health (NIH): "Iodine is a mineral."
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-QuickFacts/

Medline: "Iodine is a trace mineral."
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002421.htm

Dr. Weil: "Iodine is a non-metallic mineral."
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02872/iodine.html

US Geology Survey.gov, regarding the mineral Iodine: http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/iodine/

The Linus Pauling reference link is from the category "Minerals", see URL: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iodine/

NHS (National Health Service of the UK): "Iodine is a trace mineral."
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2011/06June/Pages/concern-over-iodine-levels...

The Minerals Education Coalition identifies Iodine as a mineral.

"Sources: Iodine is primarily retrieved from underground brines (water with many dissolved salts and ions) that are associated with natural gas and oil deposits. It is also retrieved as a by-product with nitrate deposits in caliche deposits."
http://www.mineralseducationcoalition.org/minerals

The Merck Manual considers Iodine a mineral:

"Iodine Toxicity

Chronic toxicity may develop when intake is > 1.1 mg/day. Most people who ingest excess amounts of iodine remain euthyroid. Some people who ingest excess amounts of iodine, particularly those who were previously deficient, develop hyperthyroidism (Jod-Basedow phenomenon).

Paradoxically, excess uptake of iodine by the thyroid may inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis (called Wolff-Chaikoff effect). Thus, iodine toxicity can eventually cause iodide goiter, hypothyroidism, or myxedema. Very large amounts of iodide may cause a brassy taste in the mouth, increased salivation, GI irritation, and acne form skin lesions."
http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/nutritional_disorders/mine...

Apparently Iodine becomes a gas at 114 degrees Celsius, which is 237 degrees Fahrenheit. http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem99/chem99605.htm

Iodine is produced in a few countries in the world, with most coming from Chile and Japan.
http://www.iofina.com/about/overview-and-history

Crude iodine is extracted from Kansui, Japan from the water produced with dissolved gas, then exported to overseas as a raw material for pharmaceuticals and chemicals.
http://www.nex.jx-group.co.jp/english/activity/japan/nakajyo.html

"INGESTION HAZARDS
Toxic doses of iodine are achieved only by ingestion. Whereas the Oral LD50 for a rat is 14,000 mg/kg, the LDLo for a human is 28 mg/kg. By inhalation, this would be approximately the same as breathing 126-190 ppm for 30 minutes (16), which would not be possible due to iodine’s irritating odor. Iodism, the term for overexposure to iodine, is characterized by headache, excess salivation, runny nose, eye irritation, laryngitis,
bronchitis, inflammation of oral mucosa, enlarged submaxillary glands, inflammation of the parotid and skin rashes (17).

Iodine has effect on mothers in middle and late pregnancy by ingestion. Administration of expectorants that contained iodides to pregnant mothers in the past has been associated with development of goiter in the fetus. It can be passed through breast milk (18). "
http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/pdfs/cci/safety/iodine_hazards.pdf

MSDS for Iodine: http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927547

I'll choose quality-tested kelp for my natural iodine source.

Pat Robinson

[Gini]

Thanks for all the additional info!