Thyroid Remedies
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IODINE
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01/14/2011: Momof2 from Lancaster, Ca, Usa writes: "Hello everyone, I am new here and I have come to this site for almost everything.. I have a question regarding my mother.. She has a thyroid disease she say the name of her condition is MDS syndrome and currently taking synthroid I suggested her to taking iodine therapy but taking idoral, but I researched and it says iodine is not to be taking with synthroids? please help any advice pr suggestion is greatly appreciated."
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01/07/2011: Organic Health from New York, New York, Usa writes: "Organic Health from New York, New York. Happy New year to all! @Ted From Bangkok, Thailand
Is it Safe to use Lugol's for HYPERthroidism? if so what is the dosage and how is it administered?
My mother has it and currently takes the following supliments:
Co Q-10
Selenium
L-Lysine
Also her face is a Lil puffy and her hands. I read somewhere on here where someone said that was also a condition. I've read so many post about hyperthyroidism I'm getting confused. Some say it works but only temporarily and should not be used unless it for Pre-Op surgery to remove the thyroid. Then there is the post under Thyroid remedies quoted here: "04/18/2008: Jan from Buffalo, NY writes: "Lugol's cure for Hyperthyroidism. 2 years ago I went to the doctor for fast pulse rate. Resting it was 105 to 110 bpm. He sent me to an endocrinologist who recommended the radioactive pill approach to killing the thyroid. I asked him about Iodine. He was very specific about how dangerous it would be to treat it with Iodine. I went home and ordered a bottle of Lugol's from the internet and three days later having taken doses for 3 days, my pulse rate was below 75 and the swollen throat had subsided. "
I Googled Lugol's cure for hyperthyroidism and only got links to that post. Nothing showing what the Lugol's cure is dosage wise and how to administer it. There is one post about using POTASSIUM IODIDE and they are asking what I'm asking. Any help would be appreciated and THANKS in advance from the thousands of HYPERthyroidsim sufferers who search this site in need of help."
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12/19/2010: Bill from San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines writes: "In my studies on problems with the thyroid on the internet I came across an interesting discovery by The Iodine Project, which is an independent foundation whose only purpose is to research and update the benefits of iodine on the human body.
Their newest piece of research indicates that there is more to the reasons for thyroid problems than just being low on daily iodine intake, with flouride or bromide as the causative factors.
What Dr Abraham and his team have found out from the Iodine Project is that significant thyroid problems can also arise from poor absorbtion and poor transport of iodine throughout the human body. As a remedy, they conclude that large dose Vitamin C, when taken with Iodine supplementation(Lugol's Iodine or Iodoral), greatly enhances iodine absorbtion in the intestine and greatly increases the transport efficiency of iodine throughout the human body. Their research also indicates that taking Lugol's and Vitamin C in this manner for about 6 months resets and completely heals the absorbtion pathway and transport mechanisms back to normal.
Here is the detailed research by the iodine project on the efficacy of using Vitamin C together with Lugol's Iodine:
http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-11/IOD_11.htm
The way I have always taken lugol's is with 1000-3000 mgms Ascorbic Acid powder dissolved in a glass of water, with two drops(12. 5 mgs) of 5% lugol's iodine solution added to it. Then I add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of Sodium Bicarbonate to convert the Ascorbic Acid to Ascorbate and add a little extra sodium bicarbonate to make the mixture more alkaline(increases the ORP factor beneficially). Taking iodine this way also eliminates the iodine taste and has the added benefit of converting some of the Vitamin C to Dehydroascorbic acid. This chemical has exactly the same benefits and properties as Ascorbic acid except Dehydroascorbic acid is able to penetrate the blood/brain barrier whereas ascorbic cannot penetrate this barrier unless it is combined with your body's glutathione -- a very precious and otherwise useful bodily antioxidant.
Also worth mentioning is that Ted from Bangkok has always advocated taking lugol's with Vitamin C in this manner.
Another added and enhancing idea if you take the Iodine with Vit C for thyroid problems is to also take Magnesium(500mgs/day of Mag Chloride, Mag Citrate or Mag Gluconate) and Selenium(200microgms/day) supplements as well. Magnesium is used as a co-enzyme that helps to store iodide as iodine in the thyroid gland(low Magnesium also reduces the T4 count) and research indicates that selenium is essential for converting T4 into the more active T3 hormone as well as in helping to regenerate the Vitamin C."
12/20/2010: Hope from Sacramento, California replies: "Hi Bill -
Is it recommended to take the Lugol's/C solution on an empty stomach or is it ok with food?
If it needs to be taken on an empty stomach, how long should one wait before eating?
Since I have been taking 100mg of iodine sski with some k12 every day for over a year, would I be wise to to just take as much as 8 drops of Lugols 5% with the Vit C etc?
I appreciate your link to the article from the Iodine Project!"
12/21/2010: Bill from San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines replies: "Hi Hope... In answer to your questions.
Is it recommended to take the Lugol's/C solution on an empty stomach or is it ok with food?
If it needs to be taken on an empty stomach, how long should one wait before eating?
I usualy always take lugols either one hour before or two hours after meals. I always take iodine outside mealtimes. This is also to ensure maximum absorbtion of iodine from the intestines into the blood. When you take supplements with food, approximately 1/3 is lost through excretion.
Since I have been taking 100mg of iodine sski with some k12 every day for over a year, would I be wise to to just take as much as 8 drops of Lugols 5% with the Vit C etc?
I myself have experimented and taken 100mgs of lugol's iodine with no ill effects. For serious auto-immune problems like fibrocystic breast problems or uterine fibroids or cancer, amounts above 150mgs per day have been used by The Iodine Project. The problem here is that lugol's iodine's valid reputation has been so successfully trashed by the drugs and medical fraternity, so they can push there own expensive and relatively useless patented remedies instead for profit. This is why, through the propaganda, everyone suffers from "iodophobia", despite lugol's iodine's past and long use in much larger amounts (by the older doctors) than the FDA recmmends now. With the opposition destroyed and gone, the field is clear for the drugs cartels to do this. In the old days, iodine was more or less tried, tested and used -- quite successfully -- as an antibiotic and antiseptic as well as being as being used as a regular cure for thyroid and asthma problems.
Also bear in mind that the many organs and areas of the human body absorb the iodide/iodine in three different ways. Either they only absorb the iodide form or they can only absorb the iodine form or they can absorb both the iodine or iodine forms. From the Iodine Project's research it was discovered that only the iodine form is absorbed in women by the breasts and the uterus -- and in men only the iodine form is absorbed and will be beneficial to the prostate gland. Therefore depending on your reasons for taking SSKI -- which is a Saturated Solution of Potassium Iodide((KI) -- if you are taking SSKI for breast, uterus or prostate problems then it will have little beneficial effect. This is why I would always prefer taking Lugol's Iodine which contains 5% iodine and 10% potassium iodide in water. In other words -- everything is covered if you take Lugol's Iodine."
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09/29/2010: Shiloh from Escondido, Ca, California writes: "Hello Earth Clinic, what a wonderful, informitive site this is. I love it. I found this website about 5 months ago and have been on reading everyday. This is the first time I have done a post, and I am in much need of some help.
My husband was told by our Dr. That his thyroid was not working (hypothyroid). I don't know the blood level, but the Dr. Put him on 4.05 (50 mcg) of Levodthyroid. He went back for a second test in June and it showed no improvement, his blood count was still at 5.24, so the medicine was increased to 75. At this time I asked him to try the iodine instead. My husband is 58 yrs, 6'1, and weighs 270 lbs. I bought some Iodine at the health food store, and it was recommended by the employee she said she used it and it was great. The bottle said "Ionic Minerals" liquid concentrate, it said use two or more drops a day. I had my husband take 3 drops 2 times a day. He also took four kelp tabs and two vit. C."
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09/29/2010: Shiloh from Escondido, California writes: "Hi to everyone at Earth Clinic, I found this web site about four months ago and I love it. I am in need of some opinions. My husband was told that his thyroid wasn't working and the Dr. put him on Levothyroxine, 50 mcg. He went back for a second check and his thyroid was still a 5.24. So the Dr. wanted to up the medicine to 75.
At this time I asked my husband to try the iodine instead. I bought some at the health food store. The label said "Ionic Minerals" liquid concentrate. My husand is 58 yrs, 6'1'and 270lbs. I put him on 3 drops twice a day. Plus four kelp tabs, and 2 vit. C. Well after a month he went back for his third check and his blood level went from the 5.24 to 8.49- needless to say I think I screwed up. The Dr. insists on him coming in to see him because of the dramatic spike, I guesss I will go with him, get a butt chewing and then find out where I went wrong. Does any one have any ideas for me? I do believe I am on the right track, either his thyroid was really out of whack so that the iodine wouldn't have helped, or that 30 days was not long enough for the iodine to work, or I wasn't giving him enough for his size. At any rate some of your ideas would be helpful before I have to face the fiddler."
Replies09/30/2010: Eve K from Houston, Texas replies: "Shiloh from Escondido,First, the medication your husband is prescribed is actually very safe and there are no side effects. He should ask his doctor for antibody testing and separate T3/T4 tests also, not just TSH, which may offer more insight into what is causing his disorder. Also, he may want to have thyroid function (tests for iodine uptake) or a scan of the thyroid. There are a number of good books about thyroid issues--check your library--many of them address alternative therapies. I am much smaller than your husband and I was on 100 mcg per day until I was able to discontinue (about 2 years). Now, for the iodine. First, you need "Lugol's" or Iodoral tablets (I got mine on Amazon). The tablets are 12. 5 mg each. I started with 50 mg (divided between am and pm) and now I take 25 mg (one tablet am and pm). Second, eliminate soy--read labels because it is in everything! Soybean oil, soy protein, etc. Third, avoid broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage--for now. He will be able to work these back into his diet later. Finally, fluoride detox! This is most important. The protocol is discussed more thoroughly in other posts on this site but basically, 1/4 tsp of borax (20 Mule Team from the laundry section of the store) in 1 liter of non-fluoridated water. Drink and cook with only non-fluoridated water. Avoid chlorine as much as possible also--this includes swimming pools and hot tubs. There are shower filters available if your water is highly fluoridated. My TSH was borderline high (2. 5) but I had antibodies. The Rx eliminated the antibodies and got my TSH to 1. 0 and I have maintained that number using the above remedy. I went off the medication with the approval and supervision of my doctor and have continued to monitor my thyroid levels to make sure everything is still working properly. Good luck to you! "
09/30/2010: Shiloh from Escondido, California replies: "To Eve K from Houston, Tx. Thanks so much for your quick reply, I will start doing all the things you mentioned. Could you please tell me what you meant by having his antibodies checked? We are going to the Drs. Tues 5th of Oct. And I want to be prepared."
10/01/2010: Eve K from Houston, Tx replies: "Your doctor should know but there are two tests for thyroid antibodies: anti-TPO and TgAb. The first antibody, anti-TPO, attacks an enzyme normally found in your thyroid gland, called the Thyroid Peroxidase, which is important in the production of thyroid hormones. The second antibody, TgAb, attacks the key protein in the thyroid gland, the thyroglobulin, which is essential in the production of the T4 and T3 thyroid hormones. It is common for a doctor to only do ONE test, and you need BOTH tests, since you can be normal in one and high in another. There are a lot of good websites about thyroid disorders."
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01/22/2010: Gr from London, Uk writes: "Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody
I recently did the blood test for thyroid and my Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody count is 869 which is very high. The normal count is 0-60... I have not been to my GP yet to discuss this but what does it mean...I have already started taking Lugol's iodine solution... will this help? Apart from this I have Beta thalassaemi trait and also suffer from Iron-deficiency anaemia... I have palpitations & breathlessness... I am really very scared... please please help.... Thank you..."
Replies06/17/2010: Pray from Ab Canada replies: "To Gr:
Have you tried reading about hookworms & Iron deficiency anemia?
Google this & I hope you find some answers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_deficiency_anemia"
09/23/2010: Edit from Houston, Texas replies: "Hello, See the doctor and make him conduct a tsh test. It's a simple blood test to measure health of your thyroid. Don't be afraid. I think I have the same problem, Uninsured and am going to try sea salt to help. I still will see the doctor. Thyroid can be back to normal. It's just our society that spoils us with fast living and hardly eating right. Rest well, eat the five food groups and exercise. You will recover. God bless."
09/28/2010: Tom from Regina, Sk replies: "According to this site, and many others just using a Search, that much-ballyhooed Thyroid Panel test in use only since the 1970's is less than useless in a large number of cases.
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/
The "normal" parameters were set up using only 200 peoples' test results! http://stopthethyroidmadness.com/tsh-why-its-useless/
WHAT IS PATIENT EXPERIENCE WITH THE TSH LAB? It's lousy. First, there is a huge body of hypothyroid patients who have a so-called "normal" TSH lab... Along with classic or raging hypothyroid symptoms. And because doctors have become lab-obsessed rather than giving credence to clinical presentation, patients remain undiagnosed for years before the number rises high enough to reveal the condition. Site has a very good overall step route for determining where in the H-P-T or H-P-A hormone axis one's problems lie.
One's problem may not be in the thyroid at all, nor its hormones, but in for instance the adrenals, suffering from long-term stress leading to failure:
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info/
H= Hypothalamus endocrine gland
P= Pituitary endocrine gland
T=Thyroid gland
A= Adrenal glands (2)
This "7 Steps to Adrenal Failure" is novel! :
http://www.chronicfatigue.org/ASI Normal.html"
09/29/2010: Connie from Slc, Ut replies: "Hello Y'all, Wow Tom, you are an "intellectual quarterback" in this field, and I'm in the audience thinking, Wow man... Cool. Thank You. My case may be one example of these topics you have posted. For instance, my TSH was never higher than 4. 5, but would dip to. 3 with no medication. My free T3 would remain low or subnormal. I had to persuade the Internist and Endocrinologist to test the T3. It was determined along with other tests, ( ACTH, cortisol, DHEA, etc. ), that I had low functioning pituitary and adrenals. Hormones are similar to electrolytes in that they shift and change quickly, and are difficult to measure. Testing sensitivity needs improvement. More attention is needed for discussion of symptoms. I am going to bring up another instance that applies to this need. I am the middle child of three. Tragically, my elder brother, (age 13), and my younger sister, (age 41), experienced sudden death. Autopsy report: no known etiology (cause), ventricular fibrillation in both cases. We all had similar but varying degrees of symptoms, my brother's being the most aggressive, mine second, my sister's, the mildest. Before my brother's death, (1968), he had many episodes of fainting, whereby he had to be resuscitated by EMTs for survival. V. Fib. Was detected in blood tests. I would faint, wake up, walk away. My sister did not faint. We all had anxiety and palpitations, among other shared symptoms. I don't at all blame the medical community for not determining our conditions, difficult to test, difficult to analyze symptoms. But, I do see a strong need for improvement in the aforementioned, and, respect for the patient. My case was "written off" by some doctors and practitioners; and it was strongly implied that my survival was a case of random chance. That may be, but, I will not rely on random chance to save me. The only difference I can determine in my case of survival here, is that I have practiced good nutrition as best I could, from a very young age. That's the bright news of this. Thank You, Connie"
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[QUESTION] 08/03/2009: Cari from Clinton, Missouri writes: "hello- i am just starting to treat an enlarged thyroid. i have ordered lugal's but do i have to take it with apple cider vinegar? I do not like apple cider vinegar so i am hoping that this is not a requirement. is iodoral better than lugal's? how do i get my enlarged thyroid to shrink back to normal? can i paint my neck area (as i am feeling swollen) with lugal's. i am not allergic to iodine. ironically, my holistic physician has never mentioned iodine deficiency. thank you. Cari"
Replies11/29/2010: Joanheron from Kansas City, Usa replies: "I live in Platte City and am curious as to who your holistic Dr is?"
04/02/2011: Rachel from Regina, Sk, Canada replies: "Hi Cari, If you have an enlarged thyroid (goiter), it could be any number of things. I have a slight goiter caused by hyperthroidism, but others have a goiter from hypothyroidism. It could be Graves' disease, Hashimotos or another disorder.Please see a doctor before using iodine on yourself. A healer told me to use iodine, and so I used 2 drops, rubbed into my hands, daily. About the 4th day, when I used the iodine, my heart started racing, I got hot, and shaky. These are all classic signs of hyperthyroidism which I had not had in more than a year! Then I took some motherwort tincture and that made me feel better, but not entirely. I went to work, but thankfully I had no students that day, it was just a report day, or I would not have been able to stand and teach them.
Iodine is powerful and effective, so please be sure you are using it for the right condition, and with supervision from someone who knows (doctor, naturopath, etc.)
Good luck and God bless!
Rachel."
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04/18/2009: Margaret Brooks from Amarillo, TX USA writes: "After reading all of the remedies used for hypothyroid problems, I am confused. I would appreciate a recommendation on iodine usage. Suggestions here seem to be about even for Iodoral, Lugel's Iodine, and Sea Kelp. I just bought some Kelp(660mg) today so I will start with that in any case, but I'm not sure how much to take.
Another question I have is, would it be harmful to take the Kelp in conjunction with using EVCO? I've been suffering from this EXTREME fatigue for so long, and have just determined that thyroid is my problem so I'm anxious for quick results, but don't want to throw my hormones even further out of balance.
I love EarthClinic and have recommended it to many people. Thank you for being the resource we need in the world of medical ignorance that exists in the U.S."
04/18/2009: Joyce from Joelton, Tn replies: "To Margaret Brooks from Amorilla, Tx.
Hello Margaret, Take that Kelp as instructed on the bottle or container it came in. As for taking the iodine itself Lugol's solution is stronger than SSKI (saturated solution of potassium iodide).
Don't forget those B complex vitamins though because a deficiency of these will also cause a sluggish thyroid. I suggest that you get a good stress tablet (B complex with vitamins C & E. The bottle will instruct you to take 1 tablet a day, but until get that thyroid kicked back to working properly take 1 tablet at mealtimes and bedtime (4 times a day), when you are feeling fit again you can decrease it to one a day."
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[YEA] 12/23/2008: Nicole from Stanton, CA writes: "I am hoping you will start a new supplements section on iodine. Also another section on maybe causes of ailments, like fluoride and the problems it causes. Here is my story about fluoride, iodine, and thyroid....
I first noticed my husbands goiter close to 6 months ago, at that time it had become quite noticeable and was indeed very large. Obviously concerned for his health he went to see his doctor, who referred him to an endocrinologist, who then referred him to a surgeon. Strangely enough they told him his blood levels were normal and he didn't have a thyroid condition.... interesting since he has this giant goiter on his neck. lol
At the time there was so little that I knew about thyroid disease and I didn't have much interest in it, I was concerned for my husband but thought that surgery was the only option. Then my husband began to have panic attacks after my daughter was born, and at home no less (I now understand it to also cause and fluctuation of the thyroid hormone)! I honestly thought it was a mind over matter and went searching online to prove that he just needed to stop scaring himself. Instead what I found was that his panic attacks were actually caused by the goiter. Because I had my daughter at home without a midwife, just me him and my mother (planned it that way ; ) I had already learned a few natural remedies, while looking up honey and the wonderful benefits of it I also learned of coconut oil, though I only learned about it being good for pimples. I was interested in purchasing some coconut oil online and that's when I found some of the most amazing information. The site selling it said it helped with thyroid conditions, I wasn't going to believe them, after all they were selling it they would say anything to sell their product right? So I looked up thyroid forums and testimonies regarding the use of coconut oil and sure enough I found out that it was indeed beneficial to his thyroid. Well I ran out to the store and bought some the next day, in the car my husband was exhausted and began to have a panic attack and I told him to take some coconut oil, he only had a 1/4 of a teaspoon and ten minutes later his attack had subsided and he felt energized! After this experiment, we continued treatment and slowly worked up to 3tblspns a day where he's at now. After that revelation and since we had his attacks under control (and in fact after taking it for a week he no longer even experienced an attack) I went back online to find out what we needed to do to shrink his goiter. That's when I learned about iodine and how important it is and how many people are deficient and thus many are hypothyroid and even still many are undiagnosed with hypothyroidism. I also learned about what counteracts iodine, like soy which is a big one since it is in just about all prepackaged foods. When I found out how important iodine was for the thyroid and how the thyroid makes hormones for your whole body I became interested in what else iodine deficiency was responsible for, And do you know what I found? Lots! Here is a sight that lists all the symptoms of iodine deficiency...
But first, after realizing that my husbands thyroid was caused by a change in his diet, I began racking my brain thinking of what on earth has changed over the past year. I've been trying to figure it out for the past couple months and today I found it.
During our big change to all, well almost all, things healthy, I remembered reading about people using toothpaste that doesn't have fluoride in it.. I looked online for the reason why and WOW, what I found is shocking! Fluoride also counteracts iodine, it inhibits the uptake of iodine to your thyroid and we both know (at least by now) how important adequate amounts of iodine are to your thyroid. So I told my sister about it and she said that she didn't think we had fluoridated water, so I searched for the cities that had it in OC and that's when I came across this article ( http://www.ocregister.com/article/water-fluoride-county-1924513-muir-doctors ). I told my sister what I'd found out and how the time they added fluoride pretty much coincided with the onset of my husbands goiter and the worsening of his thyroid (I believe he has been hypothyroid for a long time as have I and my mother based on the symptoms) and my sister said that she has experienced a worsening of her asthma over the past year!
I am interested in asking friends of mine who have symptoms of iodine deficiency whether they experienced and increase or decrease in their symptoms over the last year (without divulging anything till they have answered so that my findings are not biased) I will report back later with some of my findings, but I am interested if anyone else has experienced similar problems after their area had been fluoridated.
http://charles_w.tripod.com/fluoride.html
http://www.ocregister.com/article/water-fluoride-county-1924513-muir-doctors
http://poisonfluoride.com/pfpc/html/symptoms.html "
04/19/2009: M from Oz, Ks, Usa replies: "You actually have proof of a negative reaction to fluoride. Will you be telling your local water commission about this?
For more info you can go to You Tube and see "The Fluoride Deception" an interview with Chris Bryson.
Also, FAN, Fluoride Action Network, http://www.fluoridealert.org/ has helpful tools for educating your city counselors, friends, and community about the problems with water fluoridation. Wouldn't it be nice if 2009 became the year that water fluoridation was stopped?!!!
Wishing you and your family well!"
[YEA] 12/21/2010: Barok358 from Covina , Ca, Usa replies: "I agree about all the good feed backs of VCO, 2004 I was diagnose with ulcer, I underwent colonoscopy once, endoscopy twice and my doctor put me on NIXIUM for 8 months, it helps in a sense that I am relieve but not cured, but when I used VCO WITH IN 3 WEEKS I am cured and can eat anything I wish, not feeling to throw up when I smell the food. I gain back my weight that I lost, I am back to 155lbs. Suppose to be my normal weight. It is also good for gum disease it is called oil pulling( you gurgle 1 tbs oil Virgin Coconut Oil for 20 minutes once or twice a day, right after you spit out the Virgin Coconut Oil you feel very clean, your loose teeth will become strong again. Athletes foot apply before putting on your sock everyday, dandruff after shower, heals wound very fast."
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[YEA] 10/22/2008: Katie from Edison, NJ writes: "I stopped taking my synthyroid and started supplementing with iodine. It took me a month and a half to build up to the 12.5mg. My body temperature increased by 2 degrees - from 96.3 to 98.3. My skin and hair have dramatically improved and I can sleep through the night."
RepliesEC: Synthroid is taken for hypothyroidism.
10/22/2008: Pat from Houston, Tx replies: "I am interested in exactly what form of iodine you took, how much, etc. I have long suspected that I have hypothryoidism as I have all the symptoms but you know doctors don't recognize a mild deficiency and will let you be miserable forever before they'll prescribe thyroid medication for you. I would like to experiment with it myself and know I must start slow..but not sure exactly how...any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated...thanks...and you may e-mail me if you have the inclination..thanks in advance"
10/23/2008: Katie from Edison, NJ replies: "Some multivitamins have the recommended dosage of 150. I started with 225mcg (It says thyroid support potassium plus iodine) for awhile then Iodoral half tablet, then full 12.5mg. I know my body and adjusted as needed. I haven't slept right in ten years, I am now sleeping and dreaming. The bags under my eyes are almost gone. I also take ACV twice a day."
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[YEA] 08/08/2008: Jayna from Fountain Valley, CA writes: "Shalom! I have been painting with iodine (a.m. and p.m.) for about five years now. I stopped taking the drug medications for Hashimotos Hypothyroidism because I learned that it eventually can rob me of my bones and mind. I am now 60 years old and function very well ~ praise be! I also take other herbs and vitamins (no tablets!) for this condition including liquid kelp drops in drinks during the day. Iodine for painting is less than $3.00 a bottle if you can still find it. I do not use regular pharmaceutical drugs of any kind. Blessings!"
Replies10/19/2008: Christie from Los Angeles, CA replies: "The Iodine suggestion kind of concerns me. Iodine is necesary to have a healthy thyroid, but if you start using more than than suggested, you run the risk of developing Thyroid Cancer. Iodine goes directly to your Thyroid. I had thyroid Cancer a few years ago and what they did was, after the surgery, gave me a radiactive iodine pill, which mainly goes right to your thyroid to destroy it. Studies have shown that people who do not have enough or have too little iodine have a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer or other thyroid problems. Im glad this helped you but I would urge others to look into this carefully because rather than being helpful, this could be very dangerous for someone."
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[YEA] 05/25/2008: Ann from Worcester, MA writes: "Kelp: It works wonders for thyroid disorders. It can be given to cats dogs and humans. What ever the problem it will get the job done. Can be purchased at local heath food store. Used in cooking or can be added to pets food."
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04/28/2008: Joyce from Joelton, Tn writes: "Congratulations to Jan -4/18/08. When more people stop thinking M.D. stands for medical deity and follow their own judgement as you did & took Lugol's solution to cure your goiter instead of taking the endocrinologist's radioactive pill to kill off your hyperactive thyroid. I have a great niece who now has to take thyroid medication because of that mistake. She was only l6 when they gave her that radioactive pill!"
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[YEA] 04/18/2008: Jan from Buffalo, NY writes: "Lugol's cure for Hyperthyroidism. 2 years ago I went to the doctor for fast pulse rate. Resting it was 105 to 110 bpm. He sent me to an endocrinologist who recommended the radioactive pill approach to killing the thyroid. I asked him about Iodine. He was very specific about how dangerous it would be to treat it with Iodine. I went home and ordered a bottle of Lugol's from the internet and three days later having taken doses for 3 days, my pulse rate was below 75 and the swollen throat had subsided. It was common goiter. The allopathic treatment seems to be kill the thyroid and take T4 for the rest of your life. there should be a law against the quackery practiced in modern medicine. What a waste of 12 years of education."
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[YEA] 12/09/2007: Angie from Sparta, MO writes: "I have been having problems with being so tired the past month or two. I knew it was a low thyroid problem. I ordered some organic iodine from a seller on ebay and within hours have felt a lot better, I'm on my 3rd day and my fatigue is still a lot better."
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[YEA] 10/17/2007: Donna from Aspen, CO writes: "I took one tablet of Iodoral (iodine supplement) a day for a year, my blood calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels rose to above normal. A year later my blood test results were even higher, so the doctor gave me a PTH (parathyroid--which sits right next to the thyroid) blood test, and it was very high. As the only thing that I had changed in my life was taking Iodoral, I quit taking it, and 3 months later all my tests were back to normal. The parathyroid's job is to take calcium out of your bones and give it to the brain, but too much in your blood can mean heart attacks, strokes, and osteoporosis. There really aren't any symptoms of an over active parathyroid until it's very bad...feeling cold all the time, brain fog, are two. If you've been supplementing with Iodoral or iodine I suggest you get your blood calcium level tested, then alkaline phosphatase, then PTH (which is expensive, so save that for last)."
Replies04/18/2008: Jill from Nowhereville, PA replies: "In response to a post about iodine supplements causing parathyroid problems...the only relation that the parathyroids have to the thyroid is location. In other words, the parathyroids are a completely different organ, with a completely different function, than the thyroid gland. If you have elevated blood calcium, then you probably have a parathyroid tumor, which would cause the parathyroids to overproduce their hormone and cause the blood calcium to rise. Iodine supplements cannot "cause" elevated blood calcium any more than, say, selenium or magnesium or any other mineral can cause elevated blood calcium. For some reason, doctors seem to have an iodine phobia, maybe because iodine supplementation would cure so many lucrative diseases"
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[YEA] 08/06/2007: Maria J from Orlando, Fl writes: "Well it's a weird story because I think Iodine helped me and then didn't do so much good. I had a pain like "something stuck in my throat" and the acupuncturist thought it was my thyroid so she gave me potassium iodine drops to drink (20 or 40 a day - remember it is not regular iodine); and these were great to alleviate the pain and gave me the strength I needed to move, because I was in a point of suffering all the symptoms of a thyroiditis or a thyroxicosis; but then I took Ibuprofen and when the swelling of my thyroid was coming down, the iodine felt terrible so I stopped taking it! I really never knew which was the perfect dosage for the potassium iodine drops! I also took kelp, around 20 pills divided in 4 or 5 times in a day and they helped me a lot, but I was never sure if this is what I needed. I end up going to a specialist who immediately asked me to leave the iodine because he thought the help was just psychological, and charged me 250 dollars for saying this! I hope the traditional doctors learn about the iodine to properly help their patients. And I also hope that people who is suffering the hyperthyroid symptoms and hypothyroid too, should consider having some iodine to help ease the pain and problems. What I recommend very urgently is to have a blood test taken meassuring your thyroid levels (TSH and T4 and T3) way before taking the iodine or Kelp, because it can change those results and affect your helath or, worst, doctors might end up giving you the wrong medication - (as it happened to me and thank God they couldn't harm my thyroid too much!). Hope you all get well! Think that you will!"
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[YEA] 02/04/2007: Anne-Marie from Palm Coast, FL writes: "While I would not consider myself "cured" of anything, I have found that Iodine..or the lack thereof...causes me to have panic and anxiety attacks. This is a recent (within 3 months) development for me as I have never had panic and anxiety attacks prior. And although I now take Kelp in a Thyroid supplement (for my newly developed Hypothyroidism), My Iodine test (painting a 2x2 in sq on my abdomen) still shows a regular Iodine insufficiency. Interestingly, I also drink protein shakes that contain 30% FDA Iodine each. I drink 2-3 of these each day. Yet, my Iodine is consistently depleted."
Replies03/16/2010: Cat from Austin, Tx replies: "make sure that your "protein" shake has no soy! It depletes iodine."
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01/20/2007: Mary from London, UK writes: "These poor people need to be treated for hypothyroidism. Brittle nails, falling hair, being deathly pale and being exhausted and tired are all symptoms - as are most of the things you are saying the iodine "cured".
The iodine will help only because it is feeding the thyroid but it may not help completely and they will feel much better if they take a free T3 test to confirm low thyroid hormone. Publishing these instances without proper attribution to the serious health problem they can signify is irresponsible. These are sick people! And they need more than iodine."
Replies01/21/2007: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Actually, the T3 method to measure iodine deficiency is not accurate. Another way is your body temperature.I have seen instances that body temperature is low while T3 is good. In other instances I have seen none of these but a severity of fibrosis to occur. Fibrosis is actually a condition of iodine deficiency but the T3 is o.k. while the conditions was cured after taking iodine. So present medical practice in my humble opinion is primitive. Iodine quenches glycation of protein involved in aging and arthritis and this doesn't show on T3 but is a wonderful way to reduce arthritic pain by allowing the healing to process. Skin pores opening up too large is also cured with an iodine as it stimulates skin regeneration reducing the size of skin pores. I know, I have a huge one on my face and it is mostly cured that most people cannot see it.
So we really have to be practical about it. Analysis is just that, it won't cure your conditions and you will be lost forever in trying to figure out how the T3 is related to oversized pores, arthritic pains, fibrosis, asthma, clogged eustachian tubes, fallopian tubes (preventing pregnancy), where such fibrosis formation are due to abnormalities in skin metabolism. Figuring out why is one thing, getting yourself cured is what we all seek."
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[YEA] 10/07/2006: Tel from Dewey, AZ writes: "Lugol's iodine cured food poisoning in less than an hour: 6 drops in a cup of water. Also cures, Cold, Flu, and the blase feeling, same dose 6 drops in a cup of water... do not take if allergic to Iodine. Dr Clark in all of her books, recomends Lugol's for many things including thyroide problems. It now sells under a prescription in most states. They know we are being healed with 6 drops and it is taking away from their huge profits. Check out quailwoodherbal.com."
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[YEA] 09/25/2006: Elizabeth from Gaston, OR writes: "I'd seen all kind of Dr. s they said my thyroid was in reasonable limits. The natureopaths had me on tons of herbs saying my thyroid was low. One natureopath put me on thyroid medication which had me in horrible mood swings and no benifits. I found Lugol's when I read Dr. hulda clarks book "a cure for all diseases". I've been taking 4-6 drops a day and my weight gain stopped(I'd gained 65 pounds in 4 months) and I've actually started loosing weight, 10 pounds in the last 3 months. And my mood has returned to normal. I've also been doing the zapping and all the cleanses she reccommends in her book. Thanks."
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[YEA] 09/16/2006: Dan from Largo, FL writes: "For a really insightful viewpoint on iodine, check out this lecture by Dr. David Brownstein (http://www.internetwks.com/clips/bsBCancer.rm) about iodine and its deficiency relationship to Breast Cancer. Note he also suspects an unproven relationship between an iodine deficiency and Prostate Cancer.
He mentions that the Japanese diet includes 14mg per day of iodine on the average (coastal Japanese ingest even more.) The US RDA is 150 ugs (micro grams) per day -- about 100 times less than the Japanese eat -- and the recommended upper level for iodine is no more than 1.1 mg/day, and they estimate the average requirement to be 95 micrograms per day or about 150 times less than the Japanese consume.
The 125mg Kelp tablets that I have from Vitamin Shoppe, have 225 ugs of iodine in them. Thus, to get to the Japanese level of Iodine (14 mg/day), I would have to take 62 of these tablets a day! Dr. Brownstein also states that iodine is stored in the thyroid which requires 6 mg/day and is also stored in a women's breasts and required for proper breast development. The breasts require 5 mg/day for a 110 lb woman.
And catch this... Breast cancer researchers have to starve test animals of iodine in order to be able to induce breast cancer in any significant number of them. Hmmm...
Another 2 mg/day of iodine is required by the adrenals, hypothalamus, pituitary, and other organs. Therefore, the total required iodine for a woman is 5 6 2 = 13 mg/day. The RDA is 150 ugs per day, so a woman would have to take 86 times as much as this to achieve the 13 mg/day needed by her body, and even more if she had a larger body or bigger breasts. A man has smaller breasts and his prostate requires somewhat less iodine than a woman's breasts. However, a man's body is generally larger than 110 lbs, so this would have to be factored into the total requirements for a man.
Dr. Brownstein states, "Over the last 30 years, iodine levels have fallen over 50% in the United States. Breast cancer rates have risen dramatically. Thyroid illness from hypothyroidism, autoimmune including Grave's and Hashimoto's, as well as thyroid cancer has risen dramatically."
Since the Japanese have so much iodine in their bodies (they're ingesting 100X our 150 ug RDA of iodine), and iodine is essential for dealing with radiation exposure, it makes me wonder what might happen happen if there were a mishap involving massive radiation exposure in a country such as ours where the iodine level is so pathetically low.
And this may well be an important consideration, as cancer rates have been shown to rise after radiation has been released into the atmosphere, which apparently happened quite a bit with the use of depleted uranium (DU) weapons in Iraq in 2003. Background radiation levels were measured at many times normal in England (click this link - http://www.llrc.org/aldermastrept.pdf - and check the graphs) just a few days after the fighting started in Iraq. Cancer rates in Iraq in 2001 were about 10X what they were before Desert Storm where much less DU was used than in 2003. The big problem is that the effects are global (see: http://www.mindfully.org/Nucs/2006/DU-Europe-Moret26feb06.htm). So, the problem for us is that the DU rounds burn up or pulverize and tend to stay in the atmosphere, allowing the "aerosol of sub micron" size to enter the slip-stream and come back to America to bite us all.
Therefore, we all need to be aware of any nutritional and purification techniques which will handle radiation.
I've just upped my iodine intake to 1.35 mg/day (6 kelp tablets of 225 ug each) and I feel warmer already (maybe this will help me burn off my excess fat even faster.)"
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[YEA] 07/20/2006: Donna from Aspen, CO writes: "In Dr. D. Brownstein's book "Iodine, why you need it why you cannot live without it" he mentions a way to detoxify. It seems that if we do not absorb iodine--or, if you get symptoms of iodine sufficiency (watery nose, excess saliva, frontal headache, tiny liesons on upper body), it may not actually mean that you have enough. It may be because our iodine receptors in our cells are clogged with fluoride and bromide (as they mimick iodine). You need Iodoral pills or the equilavent amount of Lugol's-- 50mg a day taken all at once with your thyroid med (if you take it). It flushes out the fluoride and bromide. I tried this, the first 4 nights I sweat like pig. I continued the 4 Iodoral pills for one month. I feel great now.
Iodoral can be purchased from www.illnessisoptional.com or the Optimox website. Even if you absorb (which I did), I think this is good for you. Try the Iodoral for a week - one pill a day- -to make sure it agrees with you first. A rash means an allergy. By the way, you only absorb 12% of what you paint the rest goes up in the air...it's a halogen. Publication #4 at www.optimox.com explains why some doctors are afraid of iodine, it was a faulty study-- one study and our health was sacrificed!"
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[YEA] 04/25/2006: Karen from England writes: "I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in Feb 2006. I had lost weight, my hair was thinning and I had appalling sweats. I was given medication to regulate the thyroid function, beta blockers to control the rapidity of my heart (up to 139 btm) and to stabilise atrial fibrillation and Warfarin (coumadin) to prevent stroke. After six weeks I was advised by the hospital to have radioiodine treatment (which would make me radioactive for two weeks) and cardioversion to jolt my heart back to the correct rhythym. I know that these prodecures are commonly used and are fairly effective. I definitely didn't want them! I decided to look at homeopathic treatments, which, oddly led me to my local doctor's practice. In my session he prescribed a different natural remedy (the main ingredient being unrefined sea salt). He also said sometimes the iodine is depleted with hyperthroidism. I went home and dug out some kelp that my partner had stopped using. I had only 3 tablets in single doses and my heart beats have returned to normal. I have to admit that they have actually become rather low with a resting beat of 46 btm. I think this is caused by me continuing to take the prescribed medication as well. I have stopped the kelp. I would like to stop the prescribed medication now but need to see the doctor first. My appointment is not for six weeks. I definitely believe that the iodine in the kelp has helped me."
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[YEA] 03/27/2006: Lorraine from Charlotte, NC writes: "I am using iodine for hyporthyroid. Feel better and am losing weight after consistantly gaining weight for over a year. Iodine cured my fatigue, hypoglycemia, dry skin, brain fog. I feel I still have a ways to go. Does anyone know if iodine taken internally or painted will cure acne? My son has tried everything and still no cure for his severe acne. He is 25 yrs old and it's killed his self esteem. Thanks for any help!"
Replies03/18/2010: Gabi from Toronto, Canada replies: "I reply to "Lorraine from Charlotte, NC". You are asking for cure for acne for your 25 yrs old son. Buy Colloidal Silver at the health food store. Apply to the skin with a finger. You may use a small spray bottle but buy a good quality with that "misty" spray. Spray and leave it to dry. The effects you will see after 2-3 days but it will last up to 6 months in a case if his skin is very oily.Also washing face with "hot-hot-hot" water helps. Get clean bowl with hot water and try to "dive in" and keep face for 20-30 seconds (do not get burns)!
Good luck. G."
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