Iodine, thyroid, and breast cancer??
Comments
-
Althea, No, I didn't have it done - I suppose I should have. I just can't believe my #'s are so good. I'm anxious to have my consult to hear what Dr Flechas has to say. I wonder if my taking the companion nutrients had anything to do with it?
Terri
0 -
Anyone of you ladies have hasminto? Thyroid autoimmune disease. I presented the idea to my naturalpathic doctor the theory that candida overgrowth might be the reason for autoimmune diseases. Since I've been plagued with candida overgrowth this past year, she had me do a yeast antibody blood yeast test. I saw my naturalpath today and it came back positive for yeast overgrowth (antibodies for yeast in blood). Since I've been on probiotics, and anti-fungal supplements my thyroid anti-body levels have significantly dropped. After my upcoming surgery, she is putting me on dificucan for the first week, and nystan for two months along with a serious yeast free diet. After that I will have my TSH, T3 & %4...plus thyroid antibody blood test done again and see if they normalize...or better. She will then put me back on iodine.
The reason I am waiting until after the surgery to begin the fungal infection medicine is because at the time of surgery my bc surgeon will be pumping antibiotics into me. We want to do the candida treatment after I am done with antibiotics.
I feel like a gunni pig, but if it works and I no longer have a autoimmune problem, I'll be thrilled. Although my naturalpathic doctor says I'll be on thryoid med's the rest of my life.
0 -
barry
What symptoms did u have?
0 -
Claire... yeast infection or thyroid autoimmune disease?
I have blood work on my thyroid every three months, tsh, t3, t4 and antibodies for thyroid.
Yeast...last year it began with mouth sores, beginnings of hairy tongue, thick white coating on my tongue, stomach problems, and vaginal yeast problems.I learned that I had a yeast problem for sometime but antibiotics heightened it to the point it couldn't be ignored. Candida infections are difficult to get rid of. When on antibiotics my antibody level jumped from 200 to 1100. After anti fungal treatment it dropped to 85. I am hoping after further treatment, my thyroid autoimmune problem will completely disappear
Claire...not everyone has severe symptoms...some it's fatigue, weight gain, inability to lose weight, and other problems similiar to hypothyroid.
0 -
Terri...what companion nutrients do you take?
When I had my consult with Flechas he did not recommend anything...barely said anything at all.
My levels were not nearly as good as yours, so I would like to know how to boost mine.
Thanks
0 -
luna- When I asked Dr. Flechas about companion nutrients he said they weren't necessary. He only wanted me to take ATP cofactor with the Iodoral. He did want me to take 50 mg Iodoral twice a day. In comparison to other recommendations, that seemed like a lot. I have been taking 25 mg twice a day. Maybe I will increase it to the higher dose. Anyone have opinions?
my560sel- Would you share what you took to get your levels up? Congrats on the great results.
0 -
DesignerMom...I guess I should look into ATP cofactors even though Flechas didn't suggest them to me. What's in them? Brand Recommendation? I've been taking 50 mg Iodoral and I need to double check but I think my iodine loading results were 68.
0 -
Luna- Dr. Flechas told me to take the Iodoral with ATP cofactor. He said with BC women the iodine has a hard time attaching without it. ATP cofactor has Vitamin B2 and B3, Riboflavin 100mg, Niacin (as inositol hexanicotinate) 500mg. I think that is non flushing niacin. I got both the Iodoral and ATP cofactor through breastcancerchoices.org. It was the best price and also helps fund their non profit. If you order several things (I think 3) you can get free shipping, but you have to e-mail them as they are updating their site.
0 -
Thank you, DesignerMom...need to order some more Iodoral anyway...thanks for the heads up on e-mailing them.
0 -
I take a B complex, Vit C 2,000, Vit D 4,000, Selenium 200 & Magnesium 500. I am also hypothyroid and am taking 90mg natural dessicated thyroid. My other supplements are COQ10, DIM, Milk Thistle, Omega 3, calcium d-glucarate and melatonin. I do himalayan salt 1/2 tsp once a day with water
Terri
0 -
terri- Thanks for the detailed information. It sure sounds like it is working for you!
0 -
I just sent my test results (posted above) to the Yahoo group and now I'm told by them that my results probably aren't valid because I didn't have the bromide test done. Is that true?
Terri
0 -
my560sel- That sounds odd. When I asked Dr. Flechas lab if I needed the bromide test, she said not necessarily. She also told me they retained my sample so that if I wanted to have them run it later, it could be. Perhaps if you want to run your bromide test your lab still has your sample too?
0 -
I personally won't be satisfied with my iodine levels until I have results that show sufficiency coupled with a bromine test that shows I'm no longer toxic. I haven't tested in a while, but I'm reasonably certain I have a ways to go.
Terri, I think the way you feel is ultimately more important than a number in a test result. Do you feel good? so so? blech?
0 -
Althea, When I first started supplementing I felt great. I can't say I feel that way anymore. I don't feel awful but I guess I feel so-so most of the time. I'm going to have the bromide test done. I just found out that FFP holds your urine sample for 3 months so it's not too late to do it.
Terri
0 -
Terri,
My experience is the thyroid is a greedy organ. After a long time with no iodine a lower dose makes you feel great because it is so used to nothing that the starting dosage is a banquet. Then it adapts and wants more iodine and the companion nutrients for optimal function. I went a year before going above fifty mg and then I got that original zoom back. The Curezone Iodine forum people have been using iodine for four years. That's their story too.
0 -
Lucy, what companion nutrients do you take? What amounts?
I take selenium 400 mg, magnesium glycinate 800 mg and ascorbic acid powder or Ester C amount varies. I'm gradually trying to get used to niacin.... plus I take a bazillion other things.
I'm trying to figure out if I should order ATP co-factors or if I am already getting all the companion nutrients. (Flechas did not suggest anything additional for me or that I change my 50 mg of Iodoral a day...I had faxed him a copy of my supplements list prior to our consultation but he did not mention anything about whether the list is appropriate or not)
I would love to hear what you think as well as anyone else who feels well versed on iodine companion nutrients. I worked into the Iodoral slowly and had no ill effects. My bromide was 67.2 and Flechas hopes it will drop to 20s in 6 months. My flouride was high 3.570 with acceptable range of 1.54 - 2.06 even though I don't have flouride in my water and almost never eat bread and use flouride free toothpaste. My iodine post loading was 42 when should be greater than 44 and post saturation was 84 when should be greater than 90. I'm supposed to re check in 6 months which is actually in about a month.
Suggestions? Comments?
Thanks everyone!
0 -
Luna-
Those are really high bromide levels.
Are you getting at least 1/2 tsp of unrefined sea salt a day? My bromides were high(24), but much lower than yours and Fletchas told me to drink 1 tsp of the salt in water every day. I also take 100mg of Iodoral a day and the full protocol.
FLetchas told me that 80% of BC patients need the ATP co-factors.
Looking at your numbers - I think your iodine saturation levels are overstated(false reading) with that high of bromide level. Have you thought about increasing your Iodoral levels as well?
Beth
0 -
Luna, I agree with Beth that your bromide result is very high. While your iodine numbers show that you're close to saturation levels, with that much bromide in your system, it is very likely that iodine is losing out in the competition for the receptor sites.
With that much bromide in your system that needs to leave, I'd be wondering how well your detox pathways are working. If you have trouble digesting your food, if you have constipation, if you're getting acne -- these are all signs that your liver needs help handling toxins. The ATP cofactors will increase your ability to absorb the iodine. The result will be displacement of bromine, and you want to make sure the path to the exit is fully functional.
0 -
Now I'm really getting worried. I have blood taken yesterday and here are my results
TSH is 33.64
T4 is 7.2 (low).
T3 is 3.7 (low - normal).
Initially after starting iodine my TSH slowly crept up to 28. It had started to come down last month (21) and now it's up to 33.
I'm praying that this is a result of the iodine but I'm not sure anymore. Could it be that the natural thyroid med is not as accurate as Synthroid and therefore my dose is off?
Terri
0 -
Terri I had to have my thyroid numbers monitored for a while and my dose adjusted when adding the iodoral. I take a lot more NatureThroid than I did Synthroid. For me, the iodoral caused me to need more thyroid meds in general. I am not bothered by this, I just am tested and take what I need. I believe in the iodine! On one of my consults with Dr. F., I did ask him about this, and he was not concerned. He just told me to be tested and take the tyroid med I need.
0 -
Thank you Beth & Althea,
I don't have any of the symptoms you mentioned, Althea.
Beth, I have recently begun 1/2 tsp per day of Himalayan Pink Sea Salt from "The Real Food Company". It says "raw & natural mineral salt mined in the foothills of the Himalayas".."this raw salt contains a balance of minerals in their unprocessed , natural form"....is this the right stuff or should I get something else??? I can certainly increase to 1 tsp per day. I have high blood pressure, so I have avoided salt previously....do you think this salt will affect my BP?
At the time I talked to Flechas which was 5 months ago, the supplement list I sent him did not include salt since I just recently realized I should start it. That is why I have been wondering if my list included the individual components of ATP confactors or if I need to get something actually labeled "ATP Co-factors. And which brand is best???
Why do you suppose Flechas thought my bromide would come down to the 20s in 6 months without changing anything I was currently doing when I tested 5 months ago? He didn't suggest any changes except that I should drink distilled water...which I have to admit I haven't done. My water doesn't have flouride and while I plan to pick out a better water filter...I do use a basic one and I sit the water out to allow any residual chlorine to evaporate. Chloramine is not added to our water supply either. They told me the only thing added to my water is chlorine because the EPA requires them to because of bacteria...of course I don't know what naturally occuring baddies are in the water they pump from whatever well they use.
Do you think I should add more Iodoral and/or ATP co factors now...or do you think I should retest at the end of March and then make changes???
Thank you ladies.
0 -
Springtime: I think you're right. It just may be that I need more Nature throid than I did Synthroid. I would hate to cut back on my iodine out of fear for my TSH. I have to admit that I've been feeling kind of "hypo" for the past 2-3 months and like you said, I may need to up my dose.
Terri
0 -
Luna-
Himalayan salt is unrefined and accepted for the protocol. From what I have read at the IOdine Yahoo group, unrefined salt is not believed to affect the blood pressure like refined salt. Is there a way you could monitor that?
As far as the B vitamins - I take the ATP co-factors in addition to the B's I get from other sources. The only brand I know of is by Optimox, the same people who make Iodoral. I get mine from www.breastcancerchoices.org.
One thing I have noticed is that different issues seem to come up for different people when talking to Dr. Fletchas. He never even asked me about my water source and we have spoken three times. I think he is very busy and has a limited time for each consult, he does the calls for free and at the end of the day, and I can speculate that he is trying to get us to work on one or two things at a time.
It is true that if you change more than one thing at a time, you will not know which thing is responsible. I have no idea why Fletchas thought they would come down without changing, although for all you know - your bromide levels were even higher before and have been coming down with the Iodoral protocol, you just haven't had the previous test results for comparison.
All I know is that it has been a slow road for me to see change. SO if it were me, I would add the ATP(one tablet per 50mg of Iodoral), up the Iodoral and increase the salt all at once- since the goal is to get those bromide levels down so that iodine can get into your cells.
I have gone through the process of changing one thing at a time and my iodine saturation levels have held steady at about 75% for the last 18 months. First, I increased the dose from 50mg to 100mg, then re-tested 6 months later and it was the same so he had me add the ATP co-factors, then re-tested 6 months later and I finally did the bromide test and it was still the same, but because of the high bromide he had me increase the salt levels.
Good Luck!
Beth
0 -
hlth4513- Dr. Flechas said I should take 100 mg Iodoral per day with Cofactor. As I have never taken iodine, I was bit reluctant to take that much initially. I am taking 25 mg Iodoral with one Cofactor twice daily (total of 50mg Iodoral, two Cofactors). Once I retest my thyroid blood tests, I will probably increase to 100 mg. Do you think I should reduce my Cofactor? You said Dr. Flechas said one Cofactor per 50 mg Iodoral. Right now I am taking two. I appreciate your feedback as I am new to this.
0 -
DesignerMom-
I can't say for sure - but if you wanted to keep the ratio the same as he suggested - you could split the co-factor tablet - and just take half an ATP co-factor with each 25mg dose of Iodoral.
The B vitamins are water soluble, so I don't think it is harmful to take the extra ATP co-factors- but I guess I would be inclined to stay with the ratio he suggested & you could save a few $$ until you up your dose.
Beth
0 -
Thank you so much, Beth. Wonderful answers, info and insight as usual. I always learn from you!
I'm still trying to get all this stuff straight and finalize my supplements and really appreciate your help. Someday I will get this all on a list and post it here for a critique of whether I should add or subtract from it. From time to time there are those on these threads who ask us to post what we take. I'm still working on mine and don't want "newbies" to follow my lead until I can find out from all you knowledgeable people whether my list is good.
I noticed on an earlier post of yours that high amounts of curcumin can interfere with iron. I take a ton of tumeric and curcumin, so I will look at my recent bloodwork results and see if that is on there. I am always so preoccupied with the chol, trigly, etc that I usually don't notice the other things listed so much. Plus I have tried to avoid iron because I read that most of us have too much. I do really have a hard time staying away from beef in this new life. I have always been a beef eater, so I'm sure I have always had plenty of iron. Now that I have tried to cut beef to 3 times a month or less...who knows.
Beth, thank you again for all you do for so many of us here sharing with us what you know and questions you ponder
0 -
Hi all, I take 50mg Iodoral daily and 2 ATP cofactors - 1 am, 1 pm. I also take a lot of Vit C and I also take magnesium for absorption. And Selenium (I also take a lot of other supplements!) I found I needed double ATP cofactors, double magnesium (1 am, 1 pm) and lots of C to finally get my saturation number upto 90%. Well, it was 89% last tested (finally, I ha 2 prior tests in the 50s and was getting discouraged). 89% is close enough for me. I am sticking with what I am doing....
0 -
Beth- Thanks for the feedback!
Springtime- I have not added Selenium or Magnesium yet as Dr. Flechas said it was not necessary. I think Dr. Brownstein recommends it though. Could you tell me how much Magnesium and Selenium you take? Your routine certainly seems to be working for you. I think my saturation was 66%. I would love to get up to 89%!
0 -
Luna -
You are welcome. Thank you for the kind words. A lot of people have helped me along the way. I have been "there". In fact, I am not sure we ever "finalize" our supplements, seems like there is always some tweaking.
I think there are a lot of trade-offs. Curcumin is way too valuable in my opinion, not to take high doses - but my ferritin level did get very low and was causing issues for me not absorbing my natural thyroid meds. From what I understand, your ferritin should be at least 50-70 in order for your body to be able to absorb the NTH. Mine was bleow 20. I am taking Ferrochel for 90 days and then re-testing. When you check your iron, make sure they test the ferritin as well as the RBC iron.
If you do eat red meat, make sure it is grass fed, so you are getting the good CLA fats.
Beth
0
