Iodine, thyroid, and breast cancer??
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Vivre: Thank you for the recommendation! I saw the reference to the book "What Your Doctor Doesn't Know about Breast Cancer. by Dr. John Lee" and will order it
You are correct, I know nothing of BHRT, thanks for enlightening me!MBrowning: thank you too...I appreciate all your patience here as I learn about all of this. It is new to me!
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Sanaisa, Also get a copy of "Breakthrough" by Suzanne Sommers, its an amazing book!
L
ox
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this is a really interesting thread. I have loved and overloaded on table salt all my life until recently.
I was diagnosed with hashimotos (underactive) thyroid and had a big goiter about the age of 37.
I got my first case of bc in 2001, another one in 2007, new occurrence.
I've been successfully txtd with synthroid and my levels have been completely normal since first being diagnosed.
There has to be a link somewhere. I myself belive it is the immune system being overactive that brings on bc. Mine is extremely overactive, I catch bugs, and they are gone in a day. I seem to heal in one or two days when i get a cut. Surgery causes keloid scars as I heal too fast.
I have severe allergies as well, something that is caused by an overactive immune system.
I had two stillborn children, caused by a type of antibody reaction from an overactive immune system.
Something is up with this............
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this is a really interesting thread. I have loved and overloaded on table salt all my life until recently.
I was diagnosed with hashimotos (underactive) thyroid and had a big goiter about the age of 37.
I got my first case of bc in 2001, another one in 2007, new occurrence.
I've been successfully txtd with synthroid and my levels have been completely normal since first being diagnosed.
There has to be a link somewhere. I myself belive it is the immune system being overactive that brings on bc. Mine is extremely overactive, I catch bugs, and they are gone in a day. I seem to heal in one or two days when i get a cut. Surgery causes keloid scars as I heal too fast.
I have severe allergies as well, something that is caused by an overactive immune system.
I had two stillborn children, caused by a type of antibody reaction from an overactive immune system.
Something is up with this............
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That is very interesting. I have read that cancer is a result of the process of healing gone wrong. So it seems reasonable to think that an overactive immune system may be what is behind your cancer in some way.
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anniealso~
Was your thyroid under control before being dx'd with bc? Your thinking on the over-active immune system leading to cancer is intriguing. I was blown away when I was dx'd because I, too, was one who was never sick! I've always heard that cancer grows due to a weak immune system, but something didn't jive with that for me. I thought, if my immune system was so weak to allow the mutating cancer cells to get out of whack, why wouldn't I have had other immune issues....lingering colds, flu, etc. So, here begins a whole new research project...HA!
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Yep, that's what we do around here-research! And yes it is all interrelated. Here is another thing to add to the mix for you anniealso. Dr. Lee talked about low progesterone and their link to miscarriage. Low progesterone is linked to estrogen dominance which is evident in most breast cancers. It is the whole hormone system out of whack, thyroid, adrenals, vit d, cortisol(stress), insulin. It is whe they are all inbalanced when we have trouble. That is why I really believe what WE are doing is so much more important that what mainstream medicine is doing oby just giving us these hormone blocking drugs. The key is to find out where we are off key and put it all back in order, or we will have reccurrant problems, as you have had to endure annie. I feel so sorry for you for losing your babies. Hopefully, now you can put it all together and get well! Read some of the books we have recommended here, on the progesterone and on the natural girls threads. You will understand it all eventually. I cannot tell you how wonderful you feel when you finally get the answers!
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Maybe the issue isn't a weak immune system so much as a weakened (or otherwise attacked) immune system revving up to fight back, and becoming an overactive immune system in the process.
I know that my usually very strong immune system was under severe attack from stress, noise, lack of sleep, etc. in the months before my diagnosis. Maybe it wasn't the weakness that triggered the cancer, but rather an effect of the response to those attacks on the system.
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I've always believed that the breakdown of our immune system plays a huge role in developing bc, but I've always thought of it as an overtaxed immune system -- too much stress, too many chemicals, etc. -- so pictured our immune systems being overpowered or not able to keep up with the assault. I've never thought of it in terms of an overactive immune system, but you know, that makes a lot of sense. In my case, in addition to having an underactive thyroid and thyroidectomy 30 years ago, I also had an autoimmune condition about 10 years ago called granuloma annulare, which my PCP described to me as my body literally attacking itself -- in other words, an overactive and out of control immune system. Hmmm... now I'm wondering if there's one clear, underlying connection between each of those malfuctions and bc???? Deanna
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As far as the overactive immune system-it could be overactive because it is so busy fighting to stay balanced, and fighting a constant fungal infection, which I have also read is a basis for cancer. I too fought off things really fast, and seldom got colds, but I now realize that I had constant stomach inffammation and plantars warts that I could never get rid of. Since I got things in balance, my stomach is all settled down and when I started the iodine, my plantar's wart dried up!
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I took my temperature yesterday morning and it's back down to 97.4. So disappointed. My magnesium hasn't been up to the amounts recommended by the protocol. I've been getting less than half of what I need from my daily multi. I finished off a container of Natural Calm that I started last year. I was getting stomach upsets, but I suspect the quality of my water got so bad in august that it was making me sick even after the brita filter. It was the hottest, driest summer on record where I live. Water pipes were bursting all over town.
Now I've finally obtained some gallon containers made of glass and I buy reverse osmosis water from a kiosk. I also ordered some ancient minerals magnesium oil to boost my magnesium levels that way. I was apprehensive, since some people report how itchy they feel from using it. So far, that hasn't been my experience. I wonder if I could be so lucky that it could double as a mosquito repellent. Now that it finally rained this month, the mosquitoes are thick and mean. lol
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I can't believe I missed this thread. I just asked the same question because I just finished reading "Breast Cancer and Iodine" by Dr. David M. Derry. Sorry for the repeat question.
Roseann
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Roseann,
Dr. Derry published that book quite a while ago and no one paid attention. Then the other doctors did their own investigation and found out he was RIGHT about everything. I'm so glad he lived to see his findings validated and expanded on.
He wrote somewhere that none of his early stage breast cancer patients who took Iodine had a recurrence.
I need to reread his book. Thanks for the reminder for the opportunity to be grateful.
anom
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Anom,
That's great! Do you take iodine? If so, how much?
Roseann
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More quotes from Dr. Derry
http://thedametruth.net/wordpress/2009/09/iodine-the-forgotten-weapon-against-flu-virus/
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Wow, iodine as a weapon against flu!
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Everything you wanted to know about your thyroid but didn't know who to ask:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/11/08/thyroid-health-part-two.aspx
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Barry, do you belong to the iodine thread at yahoo groups? It was started by the gal who also started naturalthyroidchoices. I like to read her group because there is lots of info. It seems I remember reading that is was common for the levels to go up, but I cannot remember the explanation. Maybe Anom knows.
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Barry, yes, do what Vivre suggested. You will find people on Steph's Iodine Group who had elevated TSH during Iodine supplementation. Did you ever take the iodine loading test and talk to Dr. Flechas afterward? He is an authority on this. Here's an excerpt from his article:
"I have seen TSH sometimes go up rather than down while T4 and free T3 did not change or may have gone up some. This does not mean that the patient was developing hypothyroidism but that the brain was stimulating the body to make more sodium iodide symporters (NIS). The NIS are channels in the cell membrane that transport atoms into a cell as compared to a calcium channel or a sodium channel or a chloride channel where the channel only admits one atom to go through. The NIS transports sodium iodide into cells and has been found in all cell lines tested so far. Thyroid stimulating hormone, prolactin and oxytocin have been found to stimulate the making of NIS . While taking iodide, one may see an elevated TSH but we have to recognize that this is not a bad thing. TSH has many actions outside the thyroid that have been discovered ..."
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Hi barry, good to see you again. I also read the iodine group. Anom already provided important information. My recollection on this topic is the elevated TSH is temporary. I also recall that hypothyroid symptoms do not worsen during the time that the TSH is elevated.
Are you still taking iodine? I would think anyone with a 75 TSH without the iodine protocol would be too tired to even get out of bed. Are you feeling ok?
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Mine went up with Iodoral and I felt crappy, carshing in the evenings. I switched from Synthroid (synthetic thyroid) to dessecrated (Nature-Throid) and GP upped my dosage, we are still in the process of "balancing".
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Thanks, I still need to take the iodine loading test. I have been taking a daily iodoral along with the Armour...except it came from the compound pharmacy, which included other thyroid nutrients in it. I've been on this new Armour for about 2 weeks...still a little tired.
I do need to connect with the iodine threads. Will do.
My stomach is having a difficult time with all the different vitamins. If I take the iodoral a hour after the armour, I throw it up. I should also say, along with it I'm taking several other pills, such as Selinium, Vitamin D, and etc. It's hard to remember to take all the vitamins at work. At night, I'm too tired to consume them.
I do check on you all from time to time...on natural girls and all. It's about time for my yearly breast check up...and the last two years I was dx with cancer...hopefully all the natural vitamins has kept cancer from coming back. I am relieved that the elevated tsh isn't a bad sign...somewhat normal for those who take iodoral.
Barry 0 -
anniealso ... I have Hashimoto's, too. Very interesting, observations. I have read "What Your Doctor Doesn't Know about Breast Cancer. by Dr. John Lee and also Suzanne Somer's book (she was treated by Onc Dr. Waisman, the same Onc I got my second opinion from). I have read two other books as well, from other authors. There is a section in Dr. John Lee's book dedicated to the underactive Thyroid, and boy am I paying attention. I think there is a connection now, without a doubt ~ Minimally, the abnormal Thyroid has an impact on the immune system and estrogen balance; while it may not be the cause of the cancer I have, it is certainly a contributor. I find it interesting that Dr. Waisman notes in my consultation that I have Hashimoto's, talks about the age I got it, that I took birth control pills and had a history of "menstrual related migraine syndrome" (also attributable to estrogen)... I am definitely going to look into the bio-identical progesterone that fairy49 discusses above, as does Dr. John Lee, etc. A handful of posters from this board have contacted me in private messages with their success in using the bio-identical progesterone, and I am taking note. I am a skeptic of anything unconventional/not approved by the FDA, but this is something I cannot turn my shoulder away from.
I used to think some of this was a bit "out there" (the bio-identical progesterone treatment), but I am not so sure now. Suzanne Somer's (who I know is not a doctor and is a "celebrity" with no medical relevance, I get that) has written several books after doing a lot of research herself (recommended reads both other successful breast cancer survivors). Surprisingly, Suzanne Somers was initially treated by Dr. Waisman at Breastlink.com, the same doctor I paid a sizeable amount of personal $ to have a second opinion by in the urging of my best friend who's mother passed from breast cancer, stage IV and highly advanced/metastasized in several of her organs...Dr. Waisman helped her survive over 7 years, when she was given 6 months to live, initially. He is not a quack and is considered one of the foremost experts from UCLA in breast cancer and I value his opinion. He told me to have chemo, rads and take aromatase inhibitor vs. Tamoxifen. Interestingly, Suzuanne Somers was told to have chemo, rads and Tamoxifen; unlike myself, she declined chemo/rads/Tamoxifen and had simply changed her diet, lifestyle and added the bio-identical progesterone to protect her estrogen imbalance; I believe she has gone close to 8 years with no recurrence and has had incredible success with it... I hope I have not made a mistake in doing the chemo? I was told that with my diagnosis, originally, being PR+/ER+ I did NOT need chemo. It was when the HER2neu came back highly amplified that I was told that my treatment recommendations changed...that now I really needed to go the chemo route. My aunt is a respectible pathologist, along with two other opinions (Oncologists including Dr. Waisman) who both concurred that with the HER2neu amplification, that it was a no-brainer I had little choice but to go the chemo route including Herceptin. I see a lot of ladies doing the Herceptin without the HER2neu + , which I don't understand? I won't go into that here...I will have to conclude it must be a preventive measure the Oncs are prescribing. I realize we are all different, and are not cookie cutter images of each other
Anyway, I do not think I am going to do the rads now...after all that I have read. With the cancer having been at the 7:30 location on my breast (just over my heart), with complete resection and cleared margins and no lymph node involvement, the 15% added rads "benefit" to my treatment plan does not outweigh the 22% heart damage expectency I should expect with rads? This does not seem to be worth the exposure in my case. So, I will finish the chemo (will be 1/2 way done after tomorrow's #3 chemo) and then work with my diet/continued exercise and bio-identical progesterone. I am really leaning against the aromatase inhibitor or Tamoxifen therapy at this point, too...with all that I am seeing/finding out (side effects of either one, etc.), I clearly need to do more research to gain a better understanding of how all this will/may impact one's overall health, what the associated risks are, etc. I have a few months to decide. I am glad I stumbled upon this board...anyone's input is appreciated. I am an open to your thoughts, as always!
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Welcome sanaisa!! My comment to you is : You go girl.The women here will be of great help to you I'm sure. If you have not checked out breastcancerchoices.org ,do. It is very helpful to me. I didn't do rads and I'm so thankful I did not let "them" talk me into it. Hugs and prayers as you go through chemo.
Patty
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Sanaisa,
I took birth control pills for a short time and they made the menstrul migraines worse and the headaches stayed when I stopped the pill. My pills were progestins which suppressed my natural progesterone and wrecked my thyroid. The headaches come from estrogen withdrawal or drops, not estrogen. If the hormones are balanced, you won't get headaches.
Suzanne Somers has stumbled onto some things which are very profound and becoming more widely accepted. She has taken high doses of estrogen and progesterone since her diagnosis.
If the mainstream THEORY was right, shouldn't she have died 6 years ago?
The doctor interviews in her last book are awesome. Her oncologist writes her bhrt prescriptions and makes her take Iodoral and the companion nutrients.
I don't know what you mean by rads "benefit." "Benefit" doesn't translate into all-cause survival. The the only statistic you want is how much longer you will live with this treatment. If you die of a heart attack they will count you as not dying from breast cancer. You will be a breast cancer survival success even tho you will be below ground.
What Patty said. You go, girl!
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Anom, what Suzanne Sommers book are you referring to? You have peeked my curiosity... but she has so many. Your recommendation appreciated.
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Hi Spring,
The last book by Suzanne Somers is titled, Breakthrough. She lets the cutting edge experts talk and gets some good stuff. Some of these doctors have been doing this kind of medicine for 30 years so it's not wacky, new stuff. There is a lot of information. It isn't simplistic at all.
My book has stickies all through it so I could go back. Let me know how you like it.
xo
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I agree Anom, I was told the "benefit" would add 15% to my survival (to have the rads)...but it sounds like the potential to damage my heart would be in the low 20%... you are correct that if it damages my heart, "they" will probably say I day from a heart related complication (which would probably not had happened if I did not have the raditation treatment for the breast cancer). I am 90% certain I will just ride out the chemo, and will not do the rads/aromatase inhibitor/Tamoxifen.
Supposedly, my Hashimotos was caused from my first pregnancy (postpartum thyroidistis)... it did occur in the 3-6 months after having my son. Who knows...it is clearly related to hormones, for certain. I nursed for a year with my son, so I did not go back onto the birth control pill until a year after having him. Of course, the cumulative amount of time I took the birth control pill, over the course of my life (before/after babies, up until early menopause) was16 years. Gosh...
Anyway, a month after I am done with my chemo in December, I am going to see the doctor (MD) in Santa Barbara that Suzanne Summers sees for the bhrt therapy...
xo
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Sanaisa, We will be very interested to hear about your trip to the MD in Santa Barbara...
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