Iodine, why it's so important...

One of my research efforts I came across a link of two topics that intertwine and both have health interest to me. The first one would be thyroid as I have had a hypo thyroid for at least 4 years and the second topic being breast health.

As I was researching ways to support my thyroid naturally I came upon an article written by Dr. James A. Who is a board certified specialist in internal medicine and spent 34 years caring for office and hospital patients. After 4 years of personal study he became convinced that natural products and treatments are safer, more effective, and less expensive than pharmaceutical drugs.

I suggest you take time to read his whole article....but I will post some important excerpts here..

Dr. Howenstine

"There is considerable evidence for an increased risk of thyroid cancer as well as breast cancer in persons with iodine deficiency. Untreated iodine deficiency leads to goiter, thyroid nodules and eventually some of these nodules become malignant. The decreasing intake of iodine has resulted in an increase in thyroid nodules and increase in thyroid cancer. In 2001 there were 19,500 new cases of thyroid cancer in the U.S. with 14,900 of these cases occurring in women.

The mammary glands have a trapping system for iodine similar to that of the thyroid gland. The breasts effectively compete with the thyroid gland for ingested iodine. This distribution of iodine to both breast and thyroid gland in pubertal girls explains why goiter is 6 times more common in girls than pubertal boys. The disappearance of iodine into breast tissue in women leads to decreased ability to supply the thyroid gland with an adequate amount of iodine. The development of a goiter in young girls indicates deficient distribution of iodine to both breast and thyroid tissue. Treating such a patient with thyroid hormone is not sensible and appears to increase the risk of breast cancer."



target="_blank">HERE is an article about fibrosystic breast disease and iodine. Within weeks of adding iodine as a supplement to my diet I noticed my breasts were less fibrous. In the past I avoided doing self breast exams fearing the more lumpy texture of my breast tissue...which I feel has largely changed due to the iodine.

As for my thyroid, I have physically felt better almost immediately with the addition of iodine. I have not yet retested my thyroid function and plan to at my next Dr. visit which won't be until next January.

One thing to note about refilling your iodine stores is that it is a slow process...your body only absorbs a small amount daily and over months can return to normal thyroid health.

I would recommend finding a health practitioner who can help you with testing and dosing of iodine. Iodine can be measured in a test called "iodine loading test" or a patch test.

Iodine loading test is completed with a 24 hour urine catch by a MD or a chiropractor (not all do this test) whereas the patch test, while not as measurable by numbers can be done at home.
Patch test instructions

I chose to test and supplement on my own. While I can't advise anyone else on how much iodine they should supplement with, If you choose to supplement iodine on your own I suggest you do your own research and carefully weigh the information with what you determine would be a proper amount for your body. I personally have read many studies and monitor how I feel, combined with the patch test to make sure I am supplementing properly. Another thing my chiropractor told me was to watch for a metallic taste in my mouth...reduce your iodine amount as your body is getting more than it needs.

HERE is another good read (more technical, but good,) about iodine and gene expression in breast cancer, Its worth muddling through the big words.

Remember, our bodies function as a whole, there are many pieces of the health puzzle that have to come together to create a whole picture. None of the things that I post on this blog are a miracle cure or can or should act alone, but in conjunction with many other puzzle pieces to complete your health. This post is also not intended to diagnose, prescribe or to take the place of medical advice, but to add to your tool box of healthy habits. Cami