Iodine, thyroid, and breast cancer??
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I' plan to purchase the book. I want to learn more about the thyroid and high colesterol.
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Barrt-I hope you have decided to get to the doctor to have this checked out. Yeah, it is a pain to go to the doctor, but you need to have peace of mind that everything is okay. Please let us know how you are doing.
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Thanks Vivre...
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barry,
You might want to research high cholesterol from the alternative medicine point of view. Naturpathic doctor don't feel the same way other doctor feel about high cholesterol. I do believe you are high, but I think alternative doctor's believe around 200 is ok. I read a really good book about why they believe this and feel drugs do more harm than good. You may need your liver check also. My mom's liver makes extra cholesterol all by it's self. Her numbers has been has high as 600!
I'll look to see what I can find out for you.
Flalady
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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffFew natural products have been proved to reduce cholesterol, but some might be helpful. With your doctor's OK, consider these cholesterol-lowering supplements and products:
- Artichoke
- Barley
- Beta-sitosterol (found in oral supplements and some margarines, such as Promise Activ)
- Blond psyllium (found in seed husk and products such as Metamucil)
- Garlic
- Oat bran (found in oatmeal and whole oats)
- Sitostanol (found in oral supplements and some margarines, such as Benecol)
You may have also heard of another supplement to reduce cholesterol, red yeast rice. The Food and Drug Administration released a warning regarding three brands of red yeast rice because they were found to contain lovastatin, the active ingredient in the drug Mevacor. This can be unsafe, since there's no way to determine the quantity or quality of the lovastatin in the supplement.
If you choose to take cholesterol-lowering supplements, remember the importance of a healthy lifestyle. If your doctor prescribes medication to reduce your cholesterol, take it as directed. Make sure your doctor knows which supplements you're taking as well.0 -
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http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/hypercholesterolemia.htm
Good description of high cholesterol
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Barry, I too have been reading that cholesterol is not the evil that the drug companies have led us to believe. In Dr. Ray Strand's book, he talks about homosystine levels as being more of an indication for potential heart attacks than cholesterol. He seems to feel that the current panic about cholesterol levels is a result of the drug companies trying to market statins. He also says that a baby aspirin a day is just as preventive as the drugs. Nonetheless, you should get everything checked. Feeling faint and nausea could also be from food poisoning. Have you recently had a virus that could affect your balance. My friend has sinus problems that constantly affect her balance, because the fluid in her inner ear is messed up. Please do not be afraid to eat. Remember, food is medicine. Just eat some healthy stuff. If you do not you will get weak and really feel terrible.
By the way, ever since I have been on this health kick, my cholesterol levels are up. I know it is not my diet, which is better than ever, and I exercise daily. High cholesterol goes hand in hand with lower estrogen. So I guess that is a good thing. My doctor did not seemed concerned about my 260 cholesterol reading because my good cholesterol is really good, and she knows that I have a healthy diet and lifestyle now. I do plan to check that homosystine(sp?) level at some time.
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Read this article in: Danish | Japanese
Cholesterol and Heart Disease--
A Phony Issue"The Soft Science of Dietary Fats," by Gary Taubes, in the March 30, 2001 issue of Science,1 exposes the shenanigans of the 1970s McGovern Senate Committee staff and the follow-on by various government agencies that gave us the anti-fat, anti-cholesterol dietary goals and guidelines. This exposé adds to the material in "The Oiling of America"2 by Enig and Fallon and The Cholesterol Myths3 by Ravnskov. Taken together, these works provide substantial food for thought.
Blood cholesterol levels between 200 and 240 mg/dl are normal. These levels have always been normal. In older women, serum cholesterol levels greatly above these numbers are also quite normal, and in fact they have been shown to be associated with longevity. Since 1984, however, in the United States and other parts of the western world, these normal numbers have been treated as if they were an indication of a disease in progress or a potential for disease in the future.
As a result of some of this misinformation, which was purposefully planted by the leadership of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in 1984, many hundreds of thousands of people are treated with expensive medications to prevent the development of a non-existent illness. If the medications were only expensive and not life threatening, their use could no doubt be shrugged off as a harmless snake oil pharmaceutical scam; but, in fact, these are thoroughly dangerous medications for both physical and emotional reasons-for physical reasons because their use can lead to serious untreatable diseases such as liver cancer, and for emotional reasons because their use perpetuates the myth that cholesterol is dangerous and evil.
In his book The Cholesterol Myths, Dr. Uffe Ravnskov tells us what happens to an older woman who has normal high serum cholesterol levels. When her blood is tested in a forced cholesterol checkup, the cholesterol myth is used to justify treatment of her nonexistent disease state and she loses her vibrant state of good health.
The official advice to lower serum cholesterol levels has brought about numerous supplements with the attached claim that consuming them will lower cholesterol. This further supports the myth of cholesterol as an undesirable component of body and diet. In fact, the body uses cholesterol to repair and to protect. When improvement to the health of the body brought about by good changes in lifestyle or diet results in a lowering of serum cholesterol, it can be counted as an example of the body no longer needing the extra circulating cholesterol. The repair has been accomplished.
A month after the exposé in Science, the NHLBI responded by lowering its recommended "at risk" cholesterol level and increasing the number of people it wants to put on cholesterol lowering drugs. But there may be hope that the truth will win. Independent thoughtful researchers have continued to point out that there is a real need for correcting the wrong advice given to the public regarding the consumption of dietary fats. New research continues to show that the saturated fats are not a problem, that the trans fatty acids found in partially hydrogenated vegetable fats and oils really are a problem, and that the lack of appropriate balance in the diet of the polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is also a problem. Even the mono-unsaturates have been taken to task by some of the recent research. And lowfat diets are being shown to be counterproductive.
The lesson to be learned from all of this is that the old-fashioned, more saturated fats form the healthy basis of a good quality diet. And a good quality diet can help to produce a state of vibrant good health. Meanwhile, there is no need to worry about your cholesterol levels. This is a phony issue.
Mary G. Enig, PhD is an expert of international renown in the field of lipid biochemistry. She has headed a number of studies on the content and effects of trans fatty acids in America and Israel, and has successfully challenged government assertions that dietary animal fat causes cancer and heart disease. Recent scientific and media attention on the possible adverse health effects of trans fatty acids has brought increased attention to her work. She is a licensed nutritionist, certified by the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists, a qualified expert witness, nutrition consultant to individuals, industry and state and federal governments, contributing editor to a number of scientific publications, Fellow of the American College of Nutrition and President of the Maryland Nutritionists Association. She is the author of over 60 technical papers and presentations, as well as a popular lecturer. Dr. Enig is currently working on the exploratory development of an adjunct therapy for AIDS using complete medium chain saturated fatty acids from whole foods. She is Vice-President of the Weston A Price Foundation and Scientific Editor of Wise Traditions as well as the author of Know Your Fats: The Complete Primer for Understanding the Nutrition of Fats, Oils, and Cholesterol, Bethesda Press, May 2000. She is the mother of three healthy children brought up on whole foods including butter, cream, eggs and meat. References
- Gary Taubes, "The Soft Science of Dietary Fat," Science, March 30, 2001.
- Mary Enig, PhD and Sally Fallon, "The Oiling of America."
- Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD, The Cholesterol Myths: Exposing the Fallacy that Cholesterol and Saturated Fat Cause Heart Disease, NewTrends Publishing, Washington, DC, 2000. More info online at: www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol.htm.
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I appreciate all the info.... I've only eaten a tasteless, no sugar, oganic, health cracker with coconut oil. I'm about to have a bowl of oatmeal.
FloridaLady...I read the sites...hmmm nician. I have that one in the kitchen cabinet...I'm about to take one. I am soooo...thankful that I can do something holistically to correct the cholesterol...except to say my good cholesterol is low and the bad is high. I wouldn't be surprise if my liver as well as a low thyroid is at the bottom of all this.
If Thanks for your help...it does ease my mind...a little. B barry ...
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Very high cholesterol used to be considered a "marker" for thyroid disease. Once the thyroid is under control, cholesterol usually "normalizes". By normalizes, I don't mean the current medical fad of under 200. I mean it might come down from 300 to 225.
I think most of the blockages you ask about are 90% calcium. There is a theory that coronary artery disease is partly inflammation and calcium is drawn to the inflammed site. When calcium builds up, a blockage can occur.
Gary Taubes' book GOOD CALORIES, BAD CALORIES is great -tho the book's title is awful. He was on Charlie Rose debating Dean Ornish.
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Anom-Thanks for the info about cholesterol. It is always good to read things in different places with the same thinking. I have been so busy lately I still have not been back to my doctor to get the results of my hormone and thyroid tests. It is interesting to know that the thyroid may also be causing my higher cholesterol levels, since my diet and exercise regime is good.
Barry, I must stress again, that you need to EAT. Do you know why Karen Carpenter died? She had a heart attack because she was afraid to eat! Her heart was overworked, without any nutrients to help it function. Do you know why most cancer patients die? They die of malnutrition because chemo makes them not want to eat. Our bodies need food for fuel or the engine does not run. So get some good nourishing food into your system.
Now I have to go make some totally unhealthy krispie treats for the nephews and a salad for brunch. Busy day of going between his and her relatives. Have a blessed Easter everyone. The sun is shining here. I hope you also have beautiful day to share with your family.
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I think my problem is I'm over medicated. I'm taking too high of thyroid med's. Initially, my doctor said she was giving me a low dose...hmmm. I wonder if the bc surgery affected my thyroid, and the Armour gave me an initial boost...and it was all I needed.
What are the Signs of Overmedication?
They vary, depending on the person, but signs of overmedication with thyroid hormone replacement are often similar to those of hyperthyroidism, and can include anxiety, difficulty sleeping, elevated pulse, weight loss (or in some cases, weight gain), diarrhea, muscle aches and weakness, hair loss, fatigue, exhaustion, irrtations or sensitivity in eyes or neck area, among others.
A detailed list of possible symptoms is included
Dry, gritty, irritated, red eyes
______ Headache in eye area, pain behind the eyesAnxiety, nervous energy, tremors, feeling jittery
______ Shaking hands, tremorsDifficulty sleeping, insomnia
Fatigue, exhaustion
Perspiring, feeling overheated, especially when others are cold
Heart palpitations, feeling like heart is skipping a beat, or racing
______ Depression______ Loss of appetite
______ Dizziness, breathlessness
______ Achy or weak muscles and joints
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Armour Thyroid is a "narrow therapeutic index" drug, which means that the safe and effective dose is usually very close to the toxic dose. Therefore, an Armour Thyroid overdose can result from
What happens if I overdose on Armour Thyroid (Thyroid Desiccated)? Seek emergency medical treatment if an overdose is suspected.Symptoms of an overdose of thyroid include chest pain, nervousness, trouble sleeping, tremor, rapid heartbeat, nausea, headache, fever, sweating, shortness of breath, heat intolerance, irregular menses, increased appetite, decreased weight, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. I read this that someone wrote.... thought it was interesting because I get B-12 shots. I ended up going down to 1/2 a grain of Armour, that's all I can tolerate, but I found out I take b12 shots so it's really making my thyoid medicine very potent, so I had to cut way back. I'm better, but still struggling with hyper symptoms, but improved. I hope that you get some relief. I know how hard and frustrating it can be taking just a little too much of the drug.
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Barry,
When you take Iodine you can often cut down or eliminate Armour. I have been able to reduce my dosage to 5 mg ( a teeny dose) every other day or I get too revved up.. You need to take the Iodine Loading Test and get that free Iodine Loading Test so you can consult with iodine/throid specialist, Dr. Jorge Flechas.
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I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1986, underwent total thyroidectomy and RAI, and was diagnosed with breast cancer last month. Interesting.....
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I did the iodine loading test on breastcancerchoces.com a few months back. My GP and ONC could not really help me with the results or what to do next. Results must be sent to a doctor. So I was sort of stuck.
But last night I had a short call with Dr. Flechas and he was excellent. He told me exactly what to do, when to redo the loading test, etc. It was very helpful.
Thanks to anomdenet or whoever it was on this thread that reminded me you could get a free call when you do the loading test.... I had somehow missed that...
Spring.
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Barry: When my natur. doc first started me on thyriods (natural) he started me on a very low dose and after a few weeks I would go back and he would increase again - he did this for about 5 times and at that appointment I explained that after being on the new dose for over 5 days the initial side effects did not relax as they did before.. and that is when he explained that that is exactly what he was doing - basically slowly ramping me up until my system said "enough" and then he put me back down to the previous dose and I was fine.. But it was confussing to me UNTIl he explained that that was the normal way within the naturopathic way.. you give small doses until the body yells stop and then the go back the the prior doses and that the your normal dose..
So I guess I would ask if your doc did the tytration process or did s/he just put you on a particular dose and leave it at that? If that is what happened then s/he didn't follow the normal pattern of the "natural medicine" groups approach to any new medication... I hope this doesn't confuss and perhaps even illuminates what is happening? Good luck with it all!!!
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Barry,
I was diagnosed with Graves' disease when I was pregnant with my third child (who is now 12) and I will say I was miserable!!!! By the time I had him (at 30 weeks) I was not sleeping more than 30 minutes at a time, my heart was racing (I would have thought I was dying from a heart attack), I had barely gained an ounce (even though I was 30 weeks pregnant!) and I was diagnosed with pneumonia just before giving birth because my resting heart rate was over 100. My blood pressure was 200/100 and I was dumping 3+ protein in my urine (I was also diagnosed with pre-eclampsia). I was a complete mess at that time. As soon as he was born, I was losing as much as 3 lbs a day......sounds pretty good ~ except that you know its not normal!!! My eyes were bugging out of my head like someone was squeezing my neck and I was constantly sweating despite the fact that it was December in Massachusetts!!!! So, taking too much thyroid hormone can cause you to feel like you are having a heart attack or even going crazy.......I know! I have been there!!!!!
Little did I know that this would be the start of a journey that would change my life forever! I have never felt the same since I got pregnant.....I took medication to calm down my thyroid that made me feel like crap! I finally went into "remission" and for a few years felt okay and was medication free. Then, about 2 1/2 years ago my thyroid decided to speed up again. Of course, the weight loss was wonderful, but I knew what it felt like once it gets out of control, so I went to the doctor to see have the Radioactive Iodine done. I wanted to have this taken care of once and for all. I wish that I had seen all of this BEFORE I had the treatment done!!!!! But, I also grew up in a house where my mother never cooked with salt......so has the damage already been done? I haven't been diagnosed with BC, but I just had my first "scare" ~ found a lump in December ~ had the mammo and ultrasound done in January (one week before my annual mammo) and saw the BS who ordered the core biopsy. Results were "benign but concerning" so the decision was that the lump needed to come out. It was removed March 2nd and was found to be an intraductal papilloma (benign) and they also found fibrocystic breast disease and mild hyperplasia of normal type. So, the results are good, but is this just the beginning?
The thyroid has been an issue for years.......I also have a strange lump on my neck that is a growth in the fork of the carotid artery that I am hoping is not related to my thyroid. The doctors say it isn't......
This is an interesting thread though......
Kelly
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Hello Barry,
I have been following your thread on thyroid issues and think it is very informative. I recently
have been doing annual visits to various doctors, and a nodule has been discovered on my
thyroid, (during a carotid artery us), so now I will have a neuro us soft tissue (head/neck) done
next week at MD Anderson, where I receive my cancer follow-ups. One thing has led to another
and then another. Hope you are doing well!
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Thanks Momo and momo3- ....Your story, momo3esb was very helpful. I have been pretty busy lately with work and need to take time to do that iodine loading test. I heard recently before we take the Armour we should see if iodine takes care of our ailing thyroid. My dose of Armour was too high and I had symptoms of hyperthyroidism. I am taking half of the Armour the doctor recommended...and feel a lot better. Taking a tiny iodine. I am tempted after the next test to get off Armour altogether and just take iodine or iodoral.
The thyroid is a huge concern for me...just don't have time right now to deal with it...just want to physically feel good. I am glad you are doing better.
Barry
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I just got off the phone with Dr Flechas a couple of hours ago. Based on my iodine levels, he suggested that I do 50mg of Iodoral twice a day, along with ATP Cofactor. He said that the ATP Cofactor is B vitamins that help the 2 forms of iodine in Iodoral stick to and break down the protein around cancer. He told me that the best follow-up would be retesting the 24-hour urine test in 2-3 months, to see what my saturation point was then. He said adjustments might be needed, but most BC patients should plan on doing Iodoral for life, as it is about 80% effective in preventing recurrances. I forgot to ask if he meant in BC or in all cancer. (Chemo brain). He is willing to work with your doctor, or you can continue to use him for phone consultations.
So if you are curious, or want to know for yourself, the test costs $42, which breastcancerchoices.org will reimburse you for if you have BC, and are willing to let them use your information for research. Breastcancerchoices.org has the cheapest price of Iodoral, and uses any profits to help fund further research on the links between iodine and breast cancer.
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Luck,
I did the test too and am now taking teh 50mg Iordoral and teh 2 ATP cofactor (B vits - helps iodine to attach at celular level)) pills per day. I am going to retest in 3 months, but do plan on taking them for the long term as well.
He told me I needed to take them "forever" b/c when you have breast cancer you are at risk for several other kinds. (Esophogele, Stomach, Thyroid, Ovarian, Endometiral (in uterus).
He didn't mention to me about the 80%, but that is great to know.
I was at 59% saturated, and he likes to see higher. I wonder what I'll be in 3 months? : )
Spring.
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Springtime- what exactly did your test results say? The reason I ask is because my doctor says that she has had some doubts about this lab because they seem to always have the same results. Then you said your saturation level was 59%-the exact same as mine! My loading number was 30. What was yours? This is really a concern to me. I am thinking about doing the test with a different lab?
Anom-I have not had a call back yet from Dr Flechas, but this is going to be my first question for him. Can you spread some light on the subject? My doctor told me that after taking the iodoral, her patients have had the same test results.
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Luckofthedraw-What were your results too? By the way, I love your kittie avatar. I am still missing my little kitty. We had to put her down last week and I am having a hard time breaking my habits and not seeing her there. She followed me everywhere.
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Vivre,
On another group I'm on, one saturation number was 29%, another was 45% another was 75% at FFP Lab.
Dr. Flechas is known among the doctors as "the lab guy" because he's been doing this so long.
BUT here is another lab where almost everybody comes back in the 80-90% range. I don't want to mention their name. Is it possible your doctor is referring to that lab?
How many tests has your doctor done at FFP?
Anom
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I have a question...why does my naturalpathic doctor want me to take the Armour and to stop taking iodine? She thinks it interfers with the test results..but that doesn't answer me why, and how. Could taking iodine correct my thyroid problem?
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