Iodine, thyroid, and breast cancer??
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If you still have lumps after a year you aren't absorbing the iodine. Are you taking the companion nutrients, ATP Cofactors, etc? Are you on Stephanie's Yahoo Iodine group? Those gals will tell you.
In dr brownstein's book he talks about advaned cancers and iodine.
I only wish I had the book in my teens.
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annondenet, it's scary to think that I'm not absorbing iodine. If not, why? I thought Selinium would help. I've never heard of ATP Cofactors. Have to check that out. I am on Stephanie's Yahoo group, but rarely visit it. The problem with that site is most of the time I don't know what they are talking about, and there are hundreds of e-mail to go through that don't apply to my situation. I do need to purchase Dr. Brownsteins book. I should also do the the iodine loading test. I keep putting it off...as I hate to do anything by regular mail.
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barry, I've been supplementing with iodine since january of last year. In may I took a loading test and I had lousy absorption rates. Dr F suggested ATP cofactors. Actually he suggested I take a different test that cost $160 to assess my NIS symporter function. If the symporters are damaged, your absorption of iodine is literally in the toilet. I decided to just put that money into supplements instead and started taking ATP cofactors. I also started paying more attention to vit c, magnesium, selenium. In july I increased iodine to 100 mg/day.
I had another loading test and my results were practically identical to the first test. How could that be, with all the changes I made? Well, this time I also had a bromide test done. Less than 12 is optimal. My bromide result was 31. Remember, bromide competes for the same receptors as iodine. Not only that, chlorine and floride compete for the same receptors also. Acheiving saturation isn't easy in this day and age.
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Althea, this is very enlightening and worrisome. I got a call from the lab today and learned that my thyroid is still running on the low side. It gets so discouraging trying to get it right. What is a symporter function? I'm taking magesium and selinium. Bromide? What does bromide have to do with our iodine levels? What troubles me is I've put stock in iodine prevention for bc. I don't know?
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Barry, Althea has hit the points you need to understand in order to get benefit from iodine. Please go to www.drbrownstein.com and get Dr. Brownstein's book on Iodine. There is a set of nutrients that are needed (for most people) to make iodine work. Stephanie from the Yahoo Iodine Group has a created a great FAQ. Does anybody have the FAQ handy?
You can also go to www.breastcancerchoices.org/iprotocol which has the companion nutrients listed.
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barry, bromide competes for the same receptors as iodine. So do chlorine and flouride.
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I read that Dr. Brownstein said iodine can be fuel to those who have a thyroid autoimmune disorder. Do you know anything about this? The antibody test I had last summer dx me with a autoimmunce problem with my thyroid.
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That was something he wrote ten or fifteen years ago before he knew as much about iodine. He has tried to get the person who quoted him to take it off the net. He explains all this in the fourth edition of his Iodine book. Please read it because all your questions are answered there.
Also join http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/iodine/
There are thousands of people like you asking the same questions. I mainly lurk there and use a separate designated email for it because there is so much email.
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Dr Brownstein said that nearly 20 years ago. If you don't have his books or plan to buy them, you can get a feel for his current positions by listening to a recording of a seminar he presented to health care professionals in England
http://www.nutri-linkltd.co.uk/articulate/brownstein/part4/player.html
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Thanks for the great link, Althea.
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I was told my thyroid is a little low last week when I had blood work done for my cholesterol. Apparently they must have been concerned about my thyroid for about ten years because it was always tested when I had my blood work done. I was diagnosed with breast cancer April 2008. Estrogen related and non agressive. The drugs that I'm on is a pain to take. I have to take it first thing in AM one hour before eating breakfast, which is ok, but then I can't have milk until four hours later. I always eat cereal. Now I eat oatmeal (cooked), but still can't have milk for it. I wonder if all the drugs follow this same route or if they are different. What do some of you other ladies take and are their any limitations?
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I wish someone would had told me how complex it is to balance iodine in your body...and about absortion of iodine in your body. I assumed that if I took iodoral everyday that it was sufficient for my thyroid and to prevent another bc accurance. I may have had a false sense of security that my body was detoxed of bad cells, especially for the breast. I listen to Dr. Brownstein video. Most of it was complex and difficult to understand. We need to consider that most women, like myself, are generally lay people who do not understand medical terms or medical lingo. I just want things to be simplified and a plan that doesn't take a medical degree to follow.
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It's not that complicated. Maybe the Brownstein video was too technical for the new to iodine.
The best place for you to go is the Yahoo Iodine Group mentioned. PLEASE JOIN. They have lots of people who are new to this. Promise me you'll join?
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Here's another link to a radio interview without any slides. I can't remember if it talks specifically about achieving saturation, but it should be easier to follow and it especially gives insight to how dr brownstein transformed from a mainstream doctor to one who advocates iodine.
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I'm dx with Hashimoto thyroid disease. I actually think I feel worse about being dx with Hasimoto than bc. Breast cancer stage 0 as I had can surgical be removed, but an autoimmune disorder can't. It keeps attacking your thyroid. It's never over. I'm wondering when, what, where, how and why this happened. I' read a few medical reports today about the thyroid autoimmune and vitamin b-12 connection. I've known for sometime that I do not absorb vitamin B-12. Perhaps it is all a domino affect. Maybe getting b-12 daily shots will bring down the thyroid antibodies, and help me in aborbing iodine? It could be all one in the same?
http://www.naturopathydigest.com/archives/2008/oct/schor.php‏
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Have you tried sublingual B12?
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I haven't heard of sublingual B12 but will check it out. I've been doing a little reading lately trying to a better handle on what is happening with me. I read that the lack of B-12 can cause DNA deformity.And the lack of B12 could have an effect on cancer through the incorporation of uracil into DNA. This can cause chromosome breakage resulting in a cancerous cell.1 The same can be said of folate.
This is where I believe a dominal affects happens. The problem may be multifocal. Taking care of one set of problems may not be enough and the reason why the iodine in my body is not absorbed properly. I've known for some time that I had a b-12 definciency.
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I'm so excited, I finally found and MD /ND! I had my appointment today and he went over all my supplements and also prescribed natural thyroid for me! I've been trying to find a Dr to do this for the longest time. I was on .137 synthroid and he prescribed 90mg of dessicated thyroid. I also picked up some Iodoral (12.5mg) at the compounding pharmacy. In the past I've been taking my Synthroid in the evening only because I take so many supplements in the morning I thought it would be better to take it by itself. Should I take the iodine with all my other supplements in the am or is it best to take it alone? I'll start with the lower dose 12.5mg of Iodoral and work my way up slowly to 50mg. I understand that at some point I'll I'll need less thyroid meds. Any thoughts?
Terri
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Terri-
COngratulations on finding a new doc!
I have always been told to take my nat'l Thyroid upon awakening and then wait at least one hour before eating - my new compound pharmacist went so far as to tell me to wait for two hours after taking my thyroid before taking other supplements - which is tough timing some mornings.
As far as the Iodoral - I was told by Dr. Fletchas, in my consult, that I should take Iodoral in the morning and then my second dose at 3:00pm. Dr. Fletchas told me it did not make any difference if I took Iodoral with other supplements.
Beth
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Beth, thanks for letting me know. That's going to be a tough one to do in the morning. I'm always so hungry when I wake up. Also, I started having a cup of hot water with lemon first thing in the morning and even waiting to finish that before I eat is a challenge...lol I was kind of hoping I could take the thyroid in the evening as I've been doing with the Synthroid the last few weeks. It's the first time in a long time I've managed to lose 3 lbs! I was attributing it to taking the thyroid in the evening when I'm relaxed and it's not competing with a bunch of other supplements to do it's job.
Terri
Edited for typo's
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I just listened to a radio internew that blew me away. Must listen to this Video to Dr. Kharrazian's Thyroid Book. I learned more listening to this video than from anything so far! I understand now why my naturlpathic doctor took me off iodine...for those who have an autoimmune thryoid disease. http://www.thyroidbook.com/
I plan to order his reasonably price book asap.
In his new book Dr. Kharrazian explains...
- Why thyroid hormones are often ineffective in treating hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's
- What the real culprit of most cases of hypothyroidism is and how to address it
- Why your thyroid problem won't show up on your lab tests
- Why you continue to feel worse despite treatment
- Why the thyroid gland is often the wrong target
- Why eating this common food will prevent you from getting better
You will learn...
- The right lab tests to order and how to read them
- The number one cause of hypothyroidism in the United States and what to do about it
- How to identify and address the six patterns of low thyroid function WITHOUT medication
- Why this popular supplement is like throwing gasoline onto a fire
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Barry-I read this earlier and thought it might be helpful to you. This was wriiten by an oncologist that has been studying vitamins and cancer for over 20 years.
Active Vitamin B12: You may not have enough!
by Glenn | January 28th, 2007Active B12 may be the cause of your poor memory or your tiredness or that burning in you feet. How can that be? What is active B12 anyway? Victor Herbert, M.D. (he should rest in peace) dedicated his life's research work to confirm the importance of active B12 in human health. I bet you that if you asked your private MD what active B12 is he would tell you he has no clue.
Active B12 is that part of vitamin B12 in your blood that is usable; active as it were. That represents a small fraction of the total B12 and when a physician sends your blood to test for vitamin B12 deficiency the lab is not measuring the active fraction of B12 so there is no way your physician knows for sure whether you are vitamin b12 replete or deficient. Active vitamin B12 is actually that portion of B12 that is bound to a polypeptide called transcobalamin and when so bound the complex is termed holotranscobalamin II or just plain old holotranscobalamin.
It is now apparent that patients with normal total blood B12 levels may actually be deficient in holotranscobalamin or active B12. This is probably the reason that millions of patients insist that monthly B12 injections pep them up even though their physicians don't really believe that they need it (most of them have normal total B12 levels but many have low active B12 levels). Unfortunately there are only a few labs in the USA that are capable of measuring active B12 in your blood though the lab company Axis-Shield is soon to market such an assay in the USA. My laboratory has developed and published a research technique to measure active B12 and a new publication in the International Journal of Nutrition and Cancer by Dr. Ashley Plant and yours truely will appear early March this year describing the alarming frequency of active B12 deficiency in cancer patients.
http://glenntismanmd.com/2007/01/active-vitamin-b12-you-may-not-have-enough/
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Barry, I wasted my money by buying the Dr. K book. Brownstein knows much more.
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I ordered a few days ago Dr. Brownstein books. The reason Dr. K interest me is that he talks about the thyroid autoimmune problem and his video was easier to understand compared to Dr. Brownstein. My naturalpathic doctor said that the iodine I'm taking is aggravating my thyroid. Dr. K explained WHY.
I have especially been concerned about all this since hearing a few weeks back that my autoimmune thyroid problem is worsening. I learned that a autoimmune problem could attack other organs in my body causing other autoimmune problems. I want to know why, how and what to do about it. I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing to improve my health.
I struggle not taking iodine in that I hoped the iodine would prevent another bc recurrence. I now feel very vulnerable to another recurrence.
Yes...I am very concerned about a vitamin B-12 deficiency...which I believe I have. I also believe it is interconected with my thyroid problem. Makingway, I will check out the website you mentioned when I come back from work today.
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Very helpful forum everyone.
Terry - I am on synthroid also for hypothyroidism and would love to get off of it at some point. I am on tamoxifen which I believe is making me gain weight. I am also on iodoral as well as many supplements. What are the names of the natural and dessicated thyroid meds that you are on. Is the hot water with lemon a weight loss aid/cleansing aid? My apologies if I am asking too many questions. Prior to bc, as long as I ate ok and exercised I was able to control my weight. Now, no matter what I seem to do I am gaining! Looking for any tips I can as I don't want the weight gain to continue. I have gained about 5 pounds with tamoxifen and that is with decreasing my food intake and increasing my exercise.
Be Well,
Bev
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Bev, I was on Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 months. I stopped taking it because I was having issues with it and for the 3% more that it would better my chances I didn't think it was worth staying on it. Everybody's case is of course different and I am in no way saying for you to stop taking it.
The hot water and lemon was advised to me by a liver specialist and also my naturopath. Both said it was a good thing to do first thing in the morning to help cleanse and jump start the liver. I actually love the taste and so it's a treat for me to do it every morning.
As for gaining weight, in my case I did gain about 5 lbs as you did but I think it's a factor of turning 51 and also going into menopause. If you weren't in menopause before the Tamoxifen then theoretically you may be now and that's perhaps the reason for the weight gain. I'm new to this meno thing so I don't really have any answers for you but I do think that maybe your body just needs time to adjust to the Tamox.
I get my dessicated thyroid from a compounding pharmacy and so there is no name on the bottle per se.... all it says is "thyroid".
Sorry I can't help you but I'm sure there are others here who have some tips for you. Take care and be healthy!
Terri
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OK, just a quickie before dinner....sorry to be graphic but I'm peeing yellowy-red...please tell me it's from the iodine I started 2 days ago...........
Terri
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Yup, we've heard that before. Also, cloudy or smelly urine from iodine detoxing the bromide. That's good news. It passes. And nothing's to graphic for us 0
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thank you..... after having BC, everything that's different is a panic. Glad to hear it's normal.
Terri
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Yesterday Brownstein books came in the mail. Interesting reading. Brownstein perspective of Orthoiodosupplementation, maintain that inorganic iodine is safe and healing for people with autoimmune thyroid disorders. For both Hashimoto's and Graves' he recommends orthoiodosupplementation, with supportive nutrition.
My nauturalpathic doctor asked me not to take iodine until my next blood test in early June. There seems to be controversary about iodine. There are those who tell me that iodine is the answer to thyroid problems. Other professional naturalpathic doctors say that excessive iodine can cause hypothyroism and thyroid autoimmune disease. I'm one for lots of iodine salt...even now. Not taking iodine makes me nervous in that I had hoped it would prevent breast cancer recurrence.
http://thyroid.about.com/od/newscontroversies/a/toomuchiodine.htm (read below)
According to animal studies, high iodine intake can initiate and worsen infiltration of the thyroid by lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that accumulate due to chronic injury or irritation. In addition, large amounts of iodine block the thyroid's ability to make hormone.
In this New England Journal study, researchers, led by Dr. Weiping Teng, of China Medical University in Shenyang, looked at the thyroid effects of giving supplemental to three separate groups: people who were mildly iodine-deficient, those with adequate iodine intake, and those with excessive iodine intake. They found that giving iodine to people who had adequate or excessive iodine intake could lead to hypothyroidism autoimmune thyroiditis
I had to sign in under a new username due to my computer is temporarly out of commission and I'm using another computer...forgot my password, so Barry is under ebarry, at least on my husbands computer...didn't want to confuse anyone.
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