Iodine, thyroid, and breast cancer??
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Vivre,
I haven't noticed the dry eyes BUT if you are noticing fatigue or brain fog that is most likely the iodine displacing the sedating bromide from the tissues into your bloodstream. According to the docs, displaced bromide goes into your bloodstream, then to your kidneys and out thru the urine. This is good. But sometimes a lot of bromide comes out of the tissues faster than you can excrete it.
Dr. Shevin has a salt water remedy that's been used for 100 years to get the bromide into your urine faster. You may have seen it mentioned on the Yahoo Iodine Group. www.breastcancerchoices.org/drshevin
The salt grabs onto the bromide and escorts it out of the body with the water.
If that doesn't work and you're still tired, try "pulse dosing" the Iodoral. That means stop for 48 hours every once in a while.
Check back, k?
Anom
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anom- I had read about salt loading before. I can't seem to find celtic salt. Do you know if regular salt or salt with iodine is better???
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Seaotter,
In an emergency, you can use any salt. Celtic salt is just a fancy name for UNPROCESSED sea salt. You can get it in the healthfood store or Trader Joe's.
I love the name seaotter
It sounds so friendly.Anom
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For those of you with questions about fibroids and iodine, I can share my personal experience. I have had fibrocystic breasts all of my adult life. I had my first lumpectomy at the ripe old age of 18, and had another when I was 31 or 32. When the most recent lump showed up, I wasn't worried about it at all. To me it was "just another fibroid". I was very stunned when it was diagnosed as IDC in January. Diagnostic MRI's showed another very large "thickened area" in the other breast, as well as two smaller "suspicious areas" in the same breast as the tumor. The thickened area was slighlty larger than a baseball.
After reading about the iodine connection, I started taking a liquid angstrom form of iodine in February, while slugging through the process of doctor appointments, surgery, and iodine loading tests. In the middle of all of this, the radiologist wanted to revisit the MRI results. I did a second diagnostic MRI in May. The large fibrocystic area was completly gone. There was no trace of it! The two smaller suspicious areas have not disappeared, but appear to be slightly smaller. The only thing I can attribute this to is eating a cleaner/rawer diet, and taking iodine. So, for at least one of us, it's reversed the fibrocystic breast process. I am ordering the Iodoral and ATP co-factors to see if they continue the process. If not, I will revert to the liquid iodine.
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luck, is the liguid iodine Lugols?
Thanks for sharing your story. I had a bilateral mx but I imagine the iodine is needed *everywhere* in our bodies, and the breast tissue is just one sign...
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Anom, it is ironic that I got to the part in Dr. Brownstien's book, just as you mentioned about the salt loading. But the effects seem to be better, so I am hoping that it will subside. I am up to 3 tablets a day now. I might do the salt loading anyway. Do you think I should? I have noticed I am peeing constantly. I guess I need to add more water too.
Luck, it is great to hear about your success with iodine. If you have not read Brownstiens book, "Iodine, why you need it, and why you can't live without it" , you should. He cites several cases of fibroids disappearing with iodine. Imagine how many women could be spared if doctors would just look at this more seriously. The proof is there, but they still go by the whole, "lets just kills women's estrogen with a drug" mantra. I just hope that when bchoices finish their study there will be enough evidence to change the way we are treated. In the meantime, us pioneers, have to keep charging ahead for change.
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I wish I had started reading this forum when it started. I too had to join both the bc and thyroid cancer teams. I avoided iodine (it caused stomach problems for me). I chose not to do rads after mast and chemo (would have to stop herceptin to do the rads). Thought rads would be overkill (LOL) and didn't want to risk stopping the herceptin. One tech was doing a scan for my one year checkup and accidentally went too high on the neck. They found a very small spot which was found to be cancer so we did a total thyroidectomy (the right node was precancerous) then radioactive iodine. Now i'm on levothyroid .125 mcg daily and all seems well. My left vocal chord was paralyzed from the tumor/surgery/who knows so I had to have thyroplasty to get my voice back. All in all, I think the thryoid cancer has been more trying than bc.
an interesting note: I was one that didn't have any "pointers" towards getting bc but ... I wasn't overweight, I breast fed my kids and had them when I was young, still exercised regularly, no members of my family had bc. Yet here I am! I think it's just a journey we are supposed to go thru.
Take care, Karen
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anom - Thanks for the info! I just love seaotters. They are sooooo cute. I collect them ( not live ones lol ) I am friendly!!!!
luck - thank you for sharing your story. I have had fibrocystic breasts also. Your story gives me hope.
mccarrol - I too believe it is a journey we are supposed to go through. I have become closer to the Lord through this. In fact (this is going to sound crazy to some) I have thanked the Lord for my bc because it has change me for the good! So yep, I have put on my big girl panties and I'm dealing with it!!! (I just love that.)
God Bless Us All
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Vivre, that's great that you're up to three Iodoral a day (37.5 mg) already. If you're not tired, I wouldn't bother with the salt loading. Some women have reported brown urine during the first days of iodine because they dump so much bromide. It's good to get that junk out.
There are a lot of odd stories about other things changing. As Spring wrote, when you're iodine deficient, it doesn't just effect your breasts. The skin takes up a lot of iodine also. Also, it's a great neurological boost, not to mention the thyroid and other organs.
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I hope you all can help me understand this a little better. Recent blood work showed my T3, T4, and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone all are in the normal range, although the T4 was on the very low end of normal. The other two readings were in the mid-range. I'm meeting with my PCP this week and want to question her more about this, but I'm not sure what to ask. Is there a more indepth test I should ask about, or do I just assume I can benefit from supplementing with iodine? Or is this even something I should be discussing with my PCP, who is great about an integrative approach?
Like a lot of women here, I had thyroid issues when I was younger, including a thyroidectomy (1/3 of it removed). I was on synthroid for several years in my 20s & early 30's, but when I became pregnant and started taking a lot of natural nutritional products, my thyroid function seemed to correct itself, and I was taken off of it.
I suspect I need iodine, but I'd like to understand what the "normal" blood work I recently had may not be disclosing. Thanks ~ Deanna
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Deanna, long story short about thyroid tests, get a copy of your lab results and see if the TSH level is around 1.0. In comparing notes with other hypothyroid women, that's the TSH level where most people feel their best. You could be topping out at 2.9, be deemed 'in the normal range' and still feel like crap.
Also be aware that a temperature below normal is a sign of an underactive thyroid. Place a thermometer near your bed so you can take your temp before raising your head from the pillow.
One thing you can do at home to gauge iodine levels is to paint some iodine solution from the drug store on your inner thigh, stomach, or arm. Observe how long it remains visible. Mine stays visible an hour or two, and I recently learned that my absorption rate is lousy.
One thing iodine will do is detox bromine, so there's probably not anyone who doesn't benefit from iodine supplements. Drinks with brominated vegetable oil (sodas or sport drinks with citrus flavors) are especially bad for us to drink. Breastcancerchoices.org offers Iodoral supplements, and they also reimburse for load tests that will reveal your rate of iodine absorption.
This is a tricky subject because there's an ocean of difference between 'iodine literate practitioners' and mainstream. I personally take 50 mg iodine per day, but I'm absorbing less than half of it.
I was hesitant to go this route initially because USDA says the daily recommendation is only 150 MICROgrams and it starts being toxic at 1,100 MICROgrams. I don't know where this definition ever came from, but there are many hundreds of subscribers to an iodine list server who are taking daily doses far in excess of what the USDA says is toxic. If you do suffer any ill effects, it'll probably be due to all that bromine moving from your tissues to the exit door. It's common to feel woozy while the toxins are leaving.
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Althea,
And yes, I have a below normal temp... Fascinating!
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Thank you, Althea! I have my test results right here. My TSH was 1.811. So that sounds okay, doesn't it? And yes, I've always had a lower than normal body temp. Is this always a sign of an underactive thyroid? Also, my T3 was 110 and my T4 was .91 (that's the very bottom of the normal range). Deanna
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Sorry ladies, I've been a bit AWOL lately. Got a lot on my plate at the moment.
Yes, I am most excited that iodine made that large mass disappear...and so quickly!
Springtime, it was not Lugol's solution that I used. Isn't Iodoral the pill form of Lugol's? I'll PM you a link to the liquid iodine. It was developed by a man who was very frustrated with the quality of minerals available on the market, so took it upon himself to manufacture his own. I'm hooked to his minerals. (I am in no way compensated for his minerals; just a big fan.)
My waking body temperature is also very low. It's usually in the 97 range, but varies quite a bit. One day it dropped down to 96.0. That was a miserable day. My TSH tested at 1.0, but I have many days that are far less from ideal.
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Hi everyone. I am new to this particular topic. I recently went to see Dr Uzzi Reiss and he recommended I take T3 supplementation based on my thyroid test results (the T3 was on the low range of the normal scale and he felt I needed T3 based on a number of symptoms). Does anyone know if it's considered risky or is at all controversial for someone whose had breast cancer to take T3? Being estrogen positive, taking any type of hormone scares me although I would also love to combat the fatigue and other assorted symptoms I have. Dr.Reiss felt it was no problem but he has views on hormones and breast cancer that differ from many traditional md's. Thanks
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Hi everyone,
Anyone else have this problem with salt loading? It makes me gag. Can't get it down & can't imagine putting 1/4 to 1/2 tsp on my food as someone on the iodine board recommended. Do you think buying empty capsules and filling them with salt would work? Any recommendation as to where to purchase capsules? I started on 12.5 Iodoral yesterday. So far, so good. I had major bromide detox symptoms when taking 50 mg Iodoral during the iodine loading test though. Slowly working my way up.
Maureen
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Tablover-I can't believe Dr. Reiss is your doctor! I read his book and thought it was great. I would trust what he says for sure, since he seems to have a very good track record of treating women with bc. Tell him I loved his book!
Maureen-I have the gagging problem too, when drinking stuff. I can't even get juice down, unless it is mostly water. I found that if I hold my nose, and swallow fast, it works better. LOL! When we cut off the sense of smell, we cut off most of the taste. Or maybe you could have a virgin margarita, with a lot of salt on the rim! Bottoms Up!
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Tab,
OMG, Uzzi is a God. He was my doc when I lived in LA in 20 years ago. Everything he said back then that was "new" has turned out to be backed up by studies.
Maureen, somebody said they put the salt in orange juice. And drink a large glass of water right after. But I do like Vivre's idea of a Virgin Margarita!
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Gosh, there have been so many messages that I forgot who asked about thyroid testing.
It's pretty unreliable. The doctors use TSH and sometimes T3 and T4. The main way to go is by symptoms and if you feel better on thyroid hormone. Armour thyroid from dessicated thyroid glands ( 80% T, 20% T3) is preferred but sometimes the doctor will insist on Synthroid which is straight T4. If you can't convert T4 into T3 you are screwed.
There are some good online Thyroid groups (not Mary Shomon's) but Stephanie B from the Iodine Group and Sam Anderson from another group, know more than anybody I've seen.
Somebody wrote that they were afraid of ALL hormones. There's nothing to say when people have been brainwashed by their doctors or the media like this. Fear is fear.
On the other hand, many women here have really hit the books and asked the hard questions. Educating yourself is the best cure for fear.
I notice a lot of people write, "My doctor says..." Well, ask him to show you in writing where he got that information from. Don't assume he knows the facts. He may be well-meaning but misguided. He is passing along his "impressions" to you, not facts.
Most people ask more questions when buying a car than they do when their lives are at stake.
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Hi ladies,
I got my ATP cofactor this week. I think Dr Flechas said to take 2 per day. How many do y'all take and when?
Dr Flechas also said I could take potassium chloride instead of salt for loading since my blood pressure is too high. But then I hear unprocessed sea salt is ok to use even with elevated blood pressure. So far, I'm using the salt. I got some for Christmas, and I wonder why does anyone use processed salt at all? Unprocessed salt tastes so much better.
Today I put some in my new favorite breakfast -- watermelon juice. Delish!
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Althea, Dr. Flechas told me to take 1 50m Iodoral and 2 ATP cofactors in the AM at the same time. FYI.
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I must be full of bromide! My head has been throbbing and my energy is nil. I took 2 teaspoons of sea salt and and drank a lot water to try to chelate it all out! I really thought I had detoxed. I guess I was wrong. Anyway, taking all the salt got rid of my headache! If it cools off, I am hoping to get on my bike and sweat out some more.
Anom-have you ever heard of iodine killing warts? I have had a plantars wart for years. Nothing I did would get rid of it. I felt something scabby on the botton of my foot, and was able to scrape off the wart from the root!
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I'm glad it is working for you, dumping the bromide fast.
About the warts, iodine is also a potent antiviral. That may have done it. I got rid of those creepy little skin tags on my neck. They just gradually fell off. The dermatolgist told me they were viral and not to worry about them. He said for $200 he would take them off. I had about 12. Then, after iodine, they were gone!
Iodine is the absolute cheapest nutrient when you think about bang for your buck.
Unless you see the results for themselves, people think you're crazy. If I had one thing to take to a desert island, it would be my Iodoral. I also got rid of a sabaceous cyst applying Lugol's topically to it.
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Anom, I am not sure I am dumping it fast or not. Is it safe to do the salt thing more than once? I want to try it again tomorrow. I must really be full of the stuff! I would be worried except Dr. B cites a women who had the exact same symptoms as me in his book. My headache keeps coming and going. I am also taking extra C as Brownstein recommends in his book.
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Dr. Shevin recommends using it two or three times a day if you get bromide detox symptoms like headache. As long as you take enough water so the salt grabs the bromide and pulls it out into your urine. If you feel you're detoxing too fast, you can stop a day or two so your kidneys rest. They call that "pulse-dosing. "Sometimes I got a little euphoric when I had a day off.
Are you taking magnesium? That's on the companion nutrient list.
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For some of us who are still trying to get up to speed on this topic (like me), can someone elaborate just a bit on bromides? I googled the term, but I don't understand exactly what it is. Is it something bad that we all likely to have in excess? Where does it come from? Is an excess the result of a lack of iodine, or does iodine +/or salt just flush it out? Deanna
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Deanna - breastcancerchoices is where I learned about bromides. Very interesting.
God Bless Us All
Patty
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I am also lost on the bromide thing. Drinking salt just seems counter intuitive. (!!) Can someone post a link for education?
Spring.
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Hi Spring,
Here they are:
www.breastcancerchoices.org/drshevin
http://breastcancerchoices.org/bromidedominancetheory.html
Also the audio presentation by Dr. Flechas that Vivre posted discussed bromide at length.
Anom
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Anom,
I didn't listen to Dr. Flechas yet from Vivre. (I have to do that). I did read those things.
What are the "signs" that this may be happening to you? I didn't see "symptoms". I am peeing all the time so wonder if I need to worry about this?
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