The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Thyroid Issues
Posted by Nichole (Stanton, CA) on 12/23/2008
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
EC: Thanks, Nicole. We actually have pages for both iodine (remedies section) and fluoride (ailments section) on the site! We'll be posting your feedback on both of those pages, as well as on the thyroid remedies page.
Kelp
Posted by Shlomo (Los Angeles, California, USA) on 12/12/2008
need brief complementary info re: weal thyroid
I have a question (not a comment): What kind of sea-weed is the one that has the the iodine balanced with bromine and where can I get it? Thanks for providing the answer. Shlomo
Kelp
Posted by Mona (Minneapolis, Minnesota) on 03/29/2009
Why would you want the bromine?!? Check out the research and findings from the Iodine Project and Dr. David Brownstein's book, "Iodine: Why You Need and Why You Can't Live Without It" Bromine is a goitrogen and toxic. It is a halide that blocks the absorption of iodine and makes iodine deficiency even worse. Check out the information out there on bromine, fluorine, and chlorine as they relate to your body's need for iodine. Iodine is the one you want, the others are toxic!
Tumors
Posted by Fran (Rocky Face, Ga) on 08/03/2008
I am using Iodine to cut off the blood supply to a tumor also, Saw Palmetto, as well as Chickweed, kelp has so much to offer.
EC: Fran, what type of tumor are you trying to treat? Thanks...
Tumors
Posted by Ashley (Cambridge, MA) on 08/03/2008
Fran, what sort of tumor do you have and where is it located? Has the iodine worked for you? Has it left a scar? What is the purpose of the chickweed? Are you applying it topically or drinking it?
Kelp
Posted by Ann (Worcester, MA) on 05/25/2008
★★★★★
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.
Thyroid Issues
Posted by Mary (Illinois) on 06/05/2013
Hi Jan from Buffalo, what were your other symptoms?? I've been under a great deal of stress and think I may have hyperthyroidism. I hate this nervous feeling and panic/anxiety!! Thank you. Feel free to email me:maryleej3 (at) hotmail [dot] com.
Thyroid Issues
Posted by Carmel (Essex, England) on 12/15/2015
This really interests me. I have a slightly underactive thyroid and tried the usual thyroxide from the doctor - all three brands - all three brands gave me worse problems than the original problem, was not able to work or live a normal life on them as feeling so bad. I tried the natural thyroids too and they made me feel awful in different ways. So I now take iodine/kelp together with brazil nuts - for selenium - and so far although not perfect I feel far better and am able to live a normal life and enjoy life again. Would love to hear from others. Carmel. Thanks.
Where to Buy: USA
Posted by Pam (Pueblo, CO) on 11/19/2007
In Oct. 07 I special ordered lugol's solution from Wal-Mart pharmacy. The price was $28 & tax for 1 pint. Since it seems like people are having a hard time finding it I will try giving you the brand. It is Humco, Strong Iodine Solution, Quality Rx Prescription, Lugol's Solution. It contains 5% iodine, 10% pot. io-dide, pur. water. Says can be used internally. Good Luck!
Iodine Warnings
Posted by Lana (Ormond, USA) on 11/13/2007
Ingesting ACV has long been used for medical treatment and is sometimes very effective.. HOWEVER, one should also take an iodine supplement, such as kelp tablets or kelp extracts while using this therapy. Extended ACV consumption can remove iodine from the body, and can result in thyroid problems. (Salt also causes the same problems which is why commercial salt has added iodine.) I learned all this back in the early 1970's, and have not found this important information on iodine/ACV interaction in any articles or books recently. However I have not covered your entire site. So in case no one has mentioned this yet, it really needs to be addressed.
Iodine Warnings
Posted by Sharon (Valdosta, GA) on 02/11/2008
Lana from Ormond wrote that ACV inteferes with Iodine consumption. This confuses me and causes some concern as the bottle of Lugol's I'm using has this instruction printed on the bottle: "take on an empty stomach 20 minutes before eating in an 8oz glass of distilled water with a teaspoon ACV for slight acidification". So does ACV interfere or help????
Iodine Warnings
Posted by Pamela (Houston, Texas) on 12/04/2008
I thought I would add my 2 cents. There is an article on the internet by Dr. DeForest Clinton Jarvis, from his book Arthritis & Folk Medicine of him recommending using avc and iodine together. See attached link on article:
http://www.jcrows.com/MaryJoFahey_IodineRemediesSecretsFromTheSea.pdf
It is a good read all about iodine very informative. Thanks for your input. It takes all of us working together and sharing information. Keeping looking for where you got your information so we can get the whole picture.
Where to Buy: USA
Posted by Toby McAdam (Livingston, MT) on 10/25/2007
Just a note to let you know that we offer Lugol's Iodine solution at
www.bloodrootproducts.com. If you would ike to contact us feel free to do so. Our phone number is 406-222-9949. Thank you and excellent web site. We would like to provide a link to your site if that is acceptable to you. Thank you Toby McAdam
Thyroid Issues
Posted by Maria J. (Orlando, FL) on 08/06/2007
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
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! Maria J.
Where to Buy: USA
Posted by Tom (Midland, Texas) on 05/23/2007
Lugol's Solution bought at Walmart: I special ordered Lugol's Solution at the local Walmart Pharmacy. Next day delivery. $30.03 for 500 mL.
Where to Buy: USA
Posted by Rachel (Reno, Nevada) on 04/17/2007
Last week I purchased decolorized iodine at Rite-Aid. A 2-ounce bottle was $4.59.
Where to Buy: USA
Posted by Ginny (Tampa, Florida) on 03/29/2007
I found decolorized iodine at our local CVS drugstore for $2.16 for a one-ounce bottle.
Where to Buy: USA
Posted by Dawn (Arlington, VA) on 03/27/2007
I found decolorized Iodine on Ebay for $3/bottle/1 ounce. The seller has over 1,000 in inventory.
Where to Buy: USA
Posted by Tamara (Houston, TX) on 03/25/2007
I had a lot of trouble finding decolorized iodine also, but I found it online. Try searching 'iodo blanco'! Good luck all!
Iodine Painting
Posted by Sandra (Clovis, CA) on 03/15/2007
Hi. I read on your site about someone's experience with painting iodine on the skin, having it disappear overnight, and then reappear after applying hydrogen peroxide. Here is an excerpt from a site I found: From the published data, the skin iodine patch test is not a reliable method to assess whole body sufficiency for iodine. Many factors play a role in the disappearance of the yellow color of iodine from the surface of the skin. For example, if iodine is reduced to iodide by the skin, the yellow color of iodine will disappear because iodide is white. In order to regenerate iodine on the skin, one needs to apply an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide, complicating the test further. The evaporation of iodine from the skin increases with increased ambient temperatures and decreased atmospheric pressure due to weather conditions and altitude. For example, the yellow color of iodine will disappear much faster in Denver, Colorado at 5,000 feet above sea level then Los Angeles, California at sea level, irrespective of the amount of bioavailable iodine. This was taken from the site:
http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/updates/UNIOD-02/UNIOD_02.htm . Just thought you might like to know.
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by Brad (Winnipeg, MB) on 03/14/2007
I cannot find lugol's anywhere in canada- it is possibly not approved. i did see lugol's iodine for marine purposes such as fish tanks. is this the same and can i take it internally or paint it? thanks, Brad
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by Louis (Courtenay, BC) on 04/19/2009
Hi Brad,
In regards to purchasing Lugol it is available in Canada with no restrictions (for now anyway), an you can purchase it at xenex lab. I just got some 500ml for $43.00 CAD including delivery and tax.
Good luck
Louis
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by Cindy (Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada) on 05/20/2009
I have checked all over for the Lugol's Iodine, and cannot find it anywhere, I did check the website for Xenex Labs, and you cannot direct order from them. Is there anywhere else to Look?
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by MJ (DC, U.S.A.) on 05/20/2009
You can order Lugol's Iodine online. To comply with EC's guidelines, I can't post the URL or site name, however if you do a Google search you should find the online store that sells it.
Good Luck!
EC: Feel free to send us urls for lugol's or food grade h202!
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by Anonymous (Anonymous, USA) on 05/20/2009
Looks like Amazon.com might carry it. Wishing YOU well!
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by T (Maryland, USA) on 05/21/2009
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by MJ (DC, U.S.A.) on 05/21/2009
I purchased Lugol's Iodine online from JCrow: http://www.jcrows.com/iodine.html. You'll have to scroll down the page a little to find the order form, but the page contains an abundance of info. on the Usefulness of Iodine. I don't have a link for food grade H202.
EC: Does JCrows ship to Canada?
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by MJ (DC, U.S.A.) on 05/21/2009
JCrows does ship to Canada and other international countries.
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by T (Maryland, USA) on 05/21/2009
It seems J. Crow's would ship to Canada. They have "Province" and "Country" as fields on their order form, and also this on the site:
"Phone or Fax Toll Free 1 800 878 1965 in US & Canada"
There's also this note on the order form: "Shipping on international orders figured at time of shipment
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by Don (Kailua, Hawaii) on 08/22/2009
I have ordered lugol's solution from online Swansons vitamins.
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by Pieter (Edmonton, Alberta) on 03/18/2010
bought lugols solution made by xenex labs at my local Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy... they didn't stock it, but ordered it for me when I asked. the solution is 5% iodine, 10% potassium iodide, 85% water
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by Kk (Ottawa, On) on 05/02/2010
You can get this product from costco cheaper than any other pharmacy.500 g or 100g--Xenex lab $30.and $9.
I live in ottawa. Prod # PT231 (5 g iodone 10 g potassium iodide.)
