Iodine

I thought I would bring this iodine discussion back up to the top before it gets stale.

As mentioned I recently had an Iodine Plus test from Rocky Mountain Analytical, and was wondering if anyone could comment on the results as follows

Raw Concentrate (ug/L)
Analyte Result Range Percentile
Iodine AM 37 48 - 210 10%
Br/ I AM 42 7.1 - 29 91%
Bromine AM 1500 840 - 2,400 53%

Creatinine Normalized
Analyte Result Range Percentile
Selenium AM 0.048 0.049 - 0.11 13%
Iodine AM 50 43 - 200 20%
Bromine AM 2100 630 - 2,700 73%
Creatinine AM 0.74 0.76 - 1.9 15%
Cadmium AM 0.16 0.51 - 0.13 22%

I also had a Urine Thyroid Assessment with the following results

Hormone Result Range
SE excreted 24 hours 69 26 - 260
T3 620 470 - 1800
T4 1,000 380 - 3,200
Urine Volume 2,800 600 - 3,000
Creatinine 2.0 0.50 - 2.0

And I might as well throw in the results from the recent Saliva Hormone Test

Hormone Status Result Range
Estradiol Within Range 1.9 0.80 - 6.6
Testosterone Low end of Range 34 23 - 120
DHEAS Low end of range 1.9 1.5 - 8.0
Cortisol AM Low end of range 2.0 2.0 - 11
Cortisol Noon Below Range 0.56 1.0 - 7.0
Cortisol PM Within Range 1.7 0.50 - 3.5
Cortisol HS Low end of Range 0.31 0.20 - 1.3

Any comments would be appreciated.
Ron

What is your problem? AFIB? Was this test done in NSR? How long since last episode?

Corresponding low DHEA, T and Cortisol makes sense, in the scenario of Adrenal Fatigue.

Low Cortisol can cause vulnerability to AFIB.

If you haven't already, you might consider supplementation with DHEA and/or Pregnenolone under the care of a HRT Doctor or specialist. In some far gone cases of Adrenal Fatigue, this supplementation can backfire and make things drastically worse.



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 09/12/2014 09:14AM by The Anti-Fib.

Yes the test was done in NSR. I have been successfully ablated 14 months ago and am now 60 years old, male. I would say that the last year or two of my 5 year afib journey was particularily stressful on my body and mind.

I have just completed a 3 month course of DHEA and have been taking a supplement called TAD which has bovine spleen. I no longer have hoarsness, but do continue to have cold hands and feet and difficulty sleeping and concentrating.

Ron

Hi Ron - Curious also about the iodine focus.

The Iodine challenge test by Optimox tells if you are iodine deficient. Was that your goal? Since your bromine number is on the high side, evaluate your sources of bromine intake since that competes with Iodine.

Do you have a known exposure to cadmium? Occupational? Smoking?

I have a personal history with adrenal burnout and complete reversal with supplements as support. When the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis is involved, thyroid function will also be impacted. Either low or high cortisol can influence Afib as can thyroid involvement.

DHEA supplements with supervision are helpful.

Jackie

Most iodine tests are not reliable, so the successful have learned to ignore their doctors and go by their own experience.
You might find this useful:
[docs.google.com]

AFAIK the only way of being rid of bromine is the iodine protocol.

Hi Jackie - you asked why the focus on Iodine. I have not been feeling well and exhibited numerous symptoms indicating poor thyroid function so I asked to have my iodine levels tested along with my thyroid. As it turns out I have a level of 50 ug/L.which is the same as 50 mcg/L.

Here is what Doctors Mercola and Bernstein have to say:

"More than 11 percent of all Americans—and more than 15 percent of American women of child-bearing age—presently have urine iodine levels less than 50 mcg/L, indicating moderate to severe iodine deficiency"

In reading further, Iodine deficiency can put a person at elevated risk of prostrate cancer.

My seeking for better health is because I continue to feel lousy, with low energy levels, a hard beating heart, poor sleep etc.

I have been exposed to bromine through hot tub chemicals and to fluoridated drinking water for years, although it is out of our water now. It is these halides that can take up residence on the iodine receptors and block any meagre supply of iodine we get from our diet.

During an ablation we are exposed to lots of radiation. After my first ablation I still had a spring to my step. My second ablation was 6 weeks later and I was physically slammed after it. I would go to bed at 7:30 and get up at 10am just drained. I obviously don't know why this happened but have been trying to follow a trail of cookie crumbs to better health and it lead me to the Iodine question, so I asked to have it tested.

I just don't know what to do about it now, as some sources say it can be counter productive to supplement incorrectly with iodine.

It also leads me to wonder why we don't protect ourselves during the extended radiation exposure incurred during an ablation with potassium iodine, as is recommended for people near nuclear leaks.

Ron

Thank you, Ron, for your explanation. Optimal thyroid function is obviously crucial. Just for clarification, with your urine evaluation showing 50 mcg/L of iodine, did you do the iodine challenge test or was that just a urinalysis?

You've nailed it about the bromide and fluoride exposure blocking thyroid function. As the literature indicates, a gradual reversal using iodine supplements does take place.

The radiation exposure from ablations and various scans definitely is a consideration and I took extra iodine doses leading up to this last ablation, but I was not using iodine for my first ablation 11 years ago. Although I've not used it, glutathione (GSH) prior to radiation exposure helps reduce the risks.

While thyroid function tests include the full array of assessments and not just the TSH... ie, Free T3, FreeT4, T3, T4,
Thyroglobulin, Reverse T3 and the various antibodies... see [thyroid.about.com]

Do you know your Thyroid Profile as a result of these tests?

While it's not considered the total indicator, TSH is a basic indicator of thyroid function trending... either hypo or hyper based on the revised guidelines from a number of years ago... " A serum TSH result between 0.5 and 2.0 mIU/L is generally considered the therapeutic target for a standard L-T4 replacement dose for primary hypothyroidism."
[thyroid.about.com]

Dr. Natale and other EPs caution afibbers with thyroid issues not to let the TSH get too low. My iodine supplements worked so well that my TSH went down to 0.3 and 0.4 and I began to feel 'jitters' in the area of the thyroid/thymus so my FM MD said to stop completely the low dose Armour thyroid hormone ...which was by then only 15 mg three times a week since the iodine supplements continued to improve overall function.

Have you kept a log of your basal body temperature? Consider going back to the basic thyroid function assessment by Broda Barnes, MD. I found my low basal temperature gradually made increases getting closer to normal 98.6 whereas it was typically 96.8 to 97.6 even when all my thyroid tests were "normal" and the endocrinologist thought all was fine. She didn't have a clue about topic of iodine deficiency.

A handy tool is the Exagen temporal artery thermometer. It's quick, easy and very accurate so you can keep a log showing progress with iodine treatments.

For radiation exposure in nuclear leaks and accidents they use potassium iodide... iodide rather than iodine.

Jackie

Jackie could you point me to a link or links where you discuss your thyroid/iodine experiences at some length? It would do me good to read about your success. Success stories associated with hypothyroidism are not all that plentiful.

Thanks, Josiah

Hi Jackie - it was a urinalysis test for the iodine.

I do not have all of the information your mentioned about the thyroid tests - only as listed earlier:
Selenium is withing range at 69 in a range of 26 - 260
Triiodothyronine (T3) withing range at 620 in a range of 470 to 1800
Thyroxine (T4) within range at 1000 in a range of 380 - 3200
Creatinine above range at 2 in a range of 0.50 - 2.0

On a concurrent serum test my TSH was 1.19 mIU/L with a range indicated of 0.20 - 6.00.

I have not kept a log of my temperatures, but bought a thermometer today and my temperatures are between 95.9 and 96.4 this afternoon and have started a log. It should be interesting. Unless it is a very warm day, my hands and feet are quite cold and I notice in the shower that my feet and toes can be numb.

I have been supplementing with Kelp 750mcg iode.

Ron

Kelp does not do the trick.
Good advice given in the link I posted above.

Ron - First, another question: Do you have a practitioner who is helping to decipher your results? Lab values vary so much from lab to lab, it's difficult to make exact comparisons and come to meaningful conclusions.

However, the low temperature/coldness is definitely the classic sign of hypothyroidism. Remember that the Broda Barnes method of tracking is the very first thing in the morning..even before you get out of bed... do nothing but reach for the thermometer and record. Mine was always so low, I could take it most any time of the day and it would be well below normal... but at least start in the classic Barnes fashion, do it the moment you wake up.

According to the lab range for your TSH sample, it's on the low side (trending toward 'hyper') but your symptoms of fatigue and coldness are definitely 'hypo' indicators... but as we know, TSH isn't the only indicator.

As William notes, there isn't enough potency in Kelp. If you can't find it locally, then iHerb does carry the Iodoral by Optimox. It's a 12.5 mg product and I'd recommend you start with half a tablet for a few weeks to test out your compatibility.

Also, spend time reading through these links [www.optimox.com]
These doctors are the leaders in iodine research...esp. Dr. Abraham... (see #3 on the list).

Here's a clip from a previous post on thyroid issues...

......Sleuthing out why the thyroid gland is not functioning optimally is the challenge.
It can be an iodine deficiency, adrenals shutting down, toxicity from mercury, fluoride,
or other environmental toxins… all of which affect the thyroid. When the HPA or HPTA axis
is involved it can take time to rule out various influences. Cortisol affects thyroid function.

There are non-autoimmune thyroid disorders and auto-immune disorders such as Hashimoto’s and Graves disease.

Hypothyroidism slows the heart rate and weakens the heart's contractions, decreasing its overall function. For some, this can (along with other dysfunctions or core nutrient deficiencies) promote a tendency for developing arrhythmia. We've seen both hypo and hyper situations reported here as causal for afib.

Since thyroid function is intricately involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA or HTPA) axis, it's not easy to sort out where the dysfunctions occur without the proper testing. It's clear that measuring TSH is not the only relevant number, yet that seems to prevail as the main diagnostic marker. Even now, many clinicians still haven't adjusted to the 2002 guidelines that took the range from 0.5 - 5.0 down to 0.3 - 3.0 as 'normal' functional range and that's just a hint to look further with more testing. Consistently low body temperature is always a significant clue as well.

Mentioned frequently in other posts on thyroid dysfunction is the iodine, bromide, fluoride connection to thyroid function interference. This offers a whole other diagnostic area of assessment to help determine why there is thyroid dysfunction. Those who research and lecture on the topic of thyroid dysfunction always mention that hypothyroidism is now epidemic in the US.

Hyper-thyroidism as in Graves disease, is found to be connected to Epstein Barr Virus as the potential trigger; also, H.pylori infection in the case of Graves. These are relatively new findings and often not considered a contributing or causal factor for the auto-immunity but testing for the pathogens proves otherwise. Something is causing the body to attack its own tissue.

About 90% of people with hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis which is the most common auto-immune disease in the world.. About 1 in 10 Americans with hypothyroidism affecting about 28 million Americans and the rate is continually growing. The thyroid is making antibodies against the thyroid gland and that’s usually triggered by an infection such as the Epstein Barr Virus, H.pylori or another microbe, Yersinia Enterolitica.

Hashimoto’s is actually the most common autoimmune disease in the world. It’s very, very, common. About 1 out of every 10 Americans has Hashimoto’s approximately, so that’s about 28 million people and growing.
This is a really important statistic, that 90% of patients with hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s.
- See more at: [drhedberg.com]

This points out the importance for a complete thyroid profile assessment which includes antibody testing. It’s obvious that the TSH alone does not tell the whole story. (end)


Suggested Reading - new book well received in Functional Medicine circles
The Thyroid Alternative
Nikolas R. Hedberg, DC, DABCI
[drhedberg.com]

Genova Diagnostics
[www.gdx.net]

Jackie



Josiah - yes - I can find some for you. Stand by.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/14/2014 02:26PM by Jackie.

Josiah - Here are several links to previous posts.


[www.afibbers.org]
[www.afibbers.org]
[www.afibbers.org]
[www.afibbers.org]

Hi Jackie and William. Thanks for all the suggestions and links. I have lots of research to do now. This morning my temperature on waking was 95.9. Jackie, my doctor was well aware of my symptoms and test results. She had me go on a 90 day course of DHEA and a supplement called TAD plus L-argenine and Choline to increase my circulation, which seems odd as my circulation is good and my blood pressure is on the low side (yesterday 105/68) and heart rate is also trending low again at about 55bpm. I am due for another visit to see the doctor. I had quite severe hoarseness and it has all but disappeared, so that is a good thing. I was also not absorbing nutrients and had to do a lot of work to heal my gut. Recently this process went downhill and I believe it was because of nut and in particular a peanut intolerance.

I guess the big question is should I start to self medicate with iodine. Is it true that you cannot overdose or do harm with if I am to start out with the 1/2 dose?

Ron

Jackie - I herb is out of the Optimax Iodoral. The local health food store has an Alterra product called io-med which has:

8mg of Potassium Iodide (32 mcg iodine)
4mg Sodium Iodine (4mcg of Iodine)

These are capsules so hard to divide.

Would this do the trick?

Ron

Thanks a lot Jackie.

The other question that comes up in the research material is Selenium supplementation. At the time of the tests I was eating 2 or 3 brazil nuts per day as a source of Se but the readings for it are very low. Should I be taking a Selenium supplement, and if so do you have any suggestions for the type and dose?
Ron

Hi Ron - The hoarseness can be related to thyroid.

It's not true that you can't overdose on iodine. Therefore, a lot of doctors like to start out even lower than half of the Iodoral dose just to be sure of compatibility. Since you have the nut sensitivity/allergy, it would be wise to try initially very small iodine dosing. You'll respond quickly if you have sensitivity issue.

On the Iodoral flyer, it says:
Ingredients of iodine and/or iodide has been associated with certain complaints. If you experience any of the following, stop ingesting Iodoral and contact your physician:

- acne-like skin lesions in certain areas of your body
-headache in the frontal sinus
-unpleasant brassy taste
-increased salivation or sneezing

I have a friend with a significant iodine sensitivity and she will become shaky, short of breath and almost pass out if she is exposed to iodine in food or diagnostic scans.

Also, I'd prefer to see you using the potassium-based iodine compounds. The Iodoral tablets are small and scored for ease of dividing.

Check out by Google Dr. Mark Sircus and Nascent Iodine and also start at Dr. Sircus' home page...[drsircus.com]

As other sources for Iodoral....Check out these websites .
[www.needs.com]...
Swanson's.
[www.swansonvitamins.com]
[store.wellbeinggps.com]

You could also consider the Lugol's liquid solution...And as I recall, William preferred using the liquid Nacent iodine.
[www.amazon.com]

The liquids offer the ease of lower dosing.


I'm delighted to see you are using arginine as I have been deep into research on the importance of nitric oxide (NO) along with other supporting nutrients that help with circulation and cardiovascular disease.

Eventually I'll be posting on this topic and share some interesting first-hand experiences with various successes using the Ignaro NO protocol, but for now and your immediate use, check out the book by Dr. Louis Ignarro NO More Heart Disease: How Nitric Oxide Can Prevent--Even Reverse--Heart Disease and Strokes which is based on the science that won Dr. Ignarro the Nobel Prize in 1998. Scroll down to see his bio and comments in reader reviews. You may want to consider adding to your arginine the components Dr. Ignarro indicates facilitate the working of L-arginine.
[www.amazon.com] (use the Look Inside feature.)

Jackie

Ron:

I took iodoral for about 4 /2 years without any problems then I started getting hives, couldn't figure it out, stopped everything that I was taking and the hives didn't stop until I quit the Iodoral. I took 12 mcg./day during all those years. Dr. Brownstein recommends Iodoral for low thyroid problems also he believes it will help with AF. I spoke to a lady that works at his office and she said that she couldn't take iodoral but she could take lugols without any problems.

liz