Working With Iodine/Iodide by Dr. Brownstein MD

[Guest guest]

- Clinical Experience with Inorganic Non-radioactive Iodine/Iodide -

by Brownstein, M.D.

[Author of IODINE: Why You Need It. (2004)

http://www.drbrownstein.com]

[source: http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-09/IOD_09.htm]

I have been interested in iodine supplementation for years. I have a

holistic family practice in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Michigan

resides in the Goiter Belt of the United States where the soil is

deficient in iodine.

Although I long suspected iodine deficiency in many of my patients, my

initial uses of potassium iodide gave suboptimal results. Some

patients did improve, but many did not notice any appreciable

improvement.

This article was written to assist the reader in implementing

orthoiodosupplementation in their practice.

This article will be divided into 2 parts:

Part I will describe a doctor's (your author) introduction and

education about the clinical uses of iodine while Part 2 of this

article will give the reader `clinical pearls' about how to integrate

and use iodine in their practice.

Part I:

A Doctor's Introduction and Education about the Clinical Uses of Iodine.

Approximately one and a half years ago, I read a letter to the editor

in the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients titled " Iodine

Supplementation Markedly Increases Urinary Excretion of Fluoride and

Bromide " .

In this letter, Dr. Guy Abraham described the iodine/iodide loading

test and its value at assessing whole body sufficiency for iodine. In

addition, the article describes the detoxification effects of the

toxic halogens, bromide and fluoride when iodine is in the

orthoiodosupplementation range.

I was intrigued at the idea of not only measuring body iodine levels

but using a combination of iodine and iodide rather than using iodide

alone. This started me on a long journey of researching and learning

all that I could about iodine deficiency and iodine supplementation.

Dr. Abraham was instrumental in teaching me about iodine.

One and a half years ago, I began testing my patients for the loading

test. Although I expected lowered body iodine levels, I was not ready

for the magnitude of the results. After testing over 500 patients, I

found that 94.7% of my patients are deficient in inorganic iodine.

Many of these patients were already being treated by me for thyroid

and other endocrine imbalances, including SSKI.

When physiologic doses of iodine/iodide were added to their regimen,

many of these patients showed dramatic improvement in their condition,

especially patients who were non-responders, even though some were

taking SSKI.

The illnesses that iodine/iodide has helped are many.

These conditions include Fibromyalgia, thyroid disorders, chronic

fatigue immune deficiency syndrome, autoimmune disorders as well as

cancer. Most patients who are deficient in iodine will respond

positively to iodine supplementation.

In fact, I have come to the conclusion that iodine deficiency sets up

the immune system to malfunction which can lead to many of the above

disorders developing. Every patient could benefit from a thorough

evaluation of their iodine levels.

Iodine deficiency is often thought of as synonymous with thyroid

malfunction, particularly with the development of goiter. The research

is clear that iodine deficiency can lead to cysts and nodules of the

thyroid gland.

Marine reported the benefits of treating school-aged children

with iodine/iodide (Lugol's solution) nearly 70 years ago. Marine

looked at two groups: a control group and a treatment group, which

received 9mg/day of iodine/iodide. The iodine/iodide treatment group

had a 0.2% incidence of goiter while the control group had a 22%

goiter—a 110x difference.

This was the first U.S. iodine study showing the decline of goiter

formation with the use of iodine. Shortly after this study, iodized

salt was initiated which was a great success in eliminating goiter in

the U.S.

In medical school, little was taught about iodine. Specifically, we

were taught that the iodization of salt was implemented to prevent

goiter and therefore no further iodine was necessary in the diet.

After studying the literature on iodine, I realized what I was taught

in medical school was incorrect. The iodization of salt was adequate

to lessen the prevalence of goiter, but it did not address the rest of

the body's need for iodine.

When I began testing my patients for iodine levels, I was amazed at

the prevalence of iodine deficiency. As previously stated, 94.7% of my

patients have tested low for iodine. I have noticed those patients

with chronic illnesses, from autoimmune disorders to cancer, often

have lower iodine levels as compared to relatively healthy patients.

I was initially hesitant to use higher (>1mg) doses of iodine due to

my concern about causing adverse effects. In reviewing much of the

literature there was concern about larger doses of iodine causing

hyperthyroid symptoms. However, a further, more exhaustive review of

the literature failed to prove that iodine, in milligram doses ever

was shown to cause hyperthyroid symptoms.

In fact, as iodine levels have fallen over 50% in the last 30 years in

the United States, autoimmune disorders and hyperthyroid symptoms have

been increasing at near epidemic proportions.

After testing individuals and finding low iodine levels, I began to

use smaller milligram amounts of iodine/iodide (6.25mg/day). Upon

retesting these individuals 1-2 months later, little progress was made.

I therefore began using higher milligram doses (6.25-50mg) to increase

the serum levels of iodine. It was only with these higher doses that I

began to see clinical improvement as well as positive changes in the

laboratory tests.

Why would people need the larger doses of iodine? Why have iodine

levels fallen 50% in the last 30 years? As I pondered these questions,

I came to the conclusion that the toxicity of modern life must be

impacting iodine levels.

It is well known that the toxic halides, fluoride and bromide, having

a similar structure as iodine, can competitively inhibit iodine

absorption and binding in the body.

A study was performed in my office to look at the iodine levels as

well as the toxic halogen levels bromide and fluoride in 8 random

patients. None of the patients had been treated with iodine before the

study.

The patients were studied at baseline to look not only at their iodine

levels but also their bromide and fluoride levels. Next, after taking

a loading dose of iodine (50mg of iodide/iodine--Iodoral®) they were

rechecked for their levels of iodine, bromide and fluoride.

The patients then took a loading dose of iodine (50mg of

iodide/iodine--Iodoral®) for 30 days and they repeated a 24-hour urine

collection.

The results are summarized in Table 1 below.

[For Table 1 go to:

http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-09/IOD_09.htm]

As can be seen from Table 1, little iodine was secreted at baseline.

The data indicates that all of these patients were iodine deficient at

baseline. After ingesting 50mg/day of an iodide/iodine supplement

(Iodoral®), repeat testing was done on day 1 and after 30 days of

supplementation.

As iodine was supplemented, as expected, the excretion of iodine

increased—from 40.2% to 66.15%. Increasing the iodine load also

increased the excretion of the toxic halides bromide and fluoride.

This study showed that the body was adapting to the iodine load and

becoming saturated with iodine while at the same time detoxifying from

the toxic halides bromide and fluoride. This study provided me with

the answer to the two questions previously posed.

Because of the elevated levels of toxic halides in the environment and

in the food supply, iodine levels have not only fallen but larger

amounts of iodine are necessary to correct iodine deficiency as well

as to promote a detoxifying effect of heavy metals.

As I started to use larger doses of iodine (12.5-50mg/day), I began to

see positive results in my patients. Goiters and nodules of the

thyroid shrank. Cysts on the ovaries became smaller and began to

disappear. Patients reported increased energy.

Metabolism was increased as evidenced by my patients having new

success in losing weight. Libido improved in men and women. People

suffering with brain fog reported a clearing of their foggy feelings.

Patients reported having vivid dreams and better sleep. Most

importantly, those with chronic illnesses that were having a difficult

time improving began to notice many of their symptoms resolving.

Betty, a 65 year-old female, saw me for fatigue and a swelling of her

neck. Betty was taking Synthroid for a hypothyroid condition and was

euthyroid via lab tests at the initial visit. Betty's main complaint

was fatigued.

" I always feel tired. I wake up tired and I go to bed tired, " she

complained. Upon physical exam, the thyroid was estimated to be 2x

normal size and multiple nodules were palpated bilaterally. The left

lobe had a nodule estimated on palpation to be 1.5cm in size.

Betty was sent for an thyroid ultrasound which reported " multiple

thyroid nodules bilaterally and a cystic nodule in the isthmus with

overall dimensions of 1.9x0.7x1.3cm containing a heterogeneous area in

its inferior aspect measuring 6mm.

Betty was sent for a biopsy of the large nodule. While awaiting a

biopsy, an iodine loading test was performed which showed a 50%

excretion (normal >90%). She was promptly started on 50mg

iodine/iodide (Iodoral®).

After taking the iodine/iodide pills for 6 weeks, Betty went for the

ultrasound-guided biopsy. The radiologist reported that " the borders

of the nodular area were difficult to delineate with certainty. Due to

this difficulty in clearly delineating the margins, I felt that it

would be difficult to biopsy and that follow up of this lesion was

recommended. "

Six weeks of iodine/iodide therapy had significantly improved her

condition to the point of not needing a biopsy! Betty's story has been

repeated over and over in my practice over the last two years.

The breasts are the second main glandular storage site for iodine next

to the thyroid gland. The relationship between breast illness and

iodine deficiency has been reported for over 100 years. Iodine

concentrates in the breast and is secreted from the breast. Normal

breast architecture will not develop when there is iodine deficiency

present.

Diseased breast tissue has been shown to take up more iodine as

compared to healthy breast tissue. The higher uptake in the abnormal

breasts indicates a greater deficiency of iodine is present as

compared to normal breasts.

ann is a 45 year-old R.N. who has been a patient of mine for five

years. I diagnosed ann with hypothyroidism five years ago and she

was being treated with Armour Thyroid. Her hypothyroid conditions

(fatigue, hair falling out, etc.) improved significantly with thyroid

replacement and she was presently euthyroid. ann was also

suffering from fibrocystic breast disease.

" I was thinking about a mastectomy. I can't wear a bra because my

breasts are so tender, " she said. ann was told to avoid caffeine

and go on birth control pills to treat the cystic breasts. She could

not tolerate the birth control pills and received minimal improvement

from dietary changes.

When I checked an iodine loading test, ann was found to be very

low on iodine (27% excretion—normal >90%). Within three weeks of

taking 50mg of iodide/iodine (Iodoral®), all her breast symptoms were

improved. She said, " My pain level declined immediately and after

three weeks, it was 70% better. I can now wear a bra without pain. "

Two months later, a physical exam revealed no signs of fibrocystic

breasts and she was now completely pain free. " I am ecstatic. I can

now exercise and I feel just wonderful, " ann said.

Iodine/iodide supplementation has markedly improved the course of

illness in fibrocystic breasts in almost all of my patients with

fibrocystic breast disease. In addition those with breast cancer also

improve.

Nodules and fibrous changes of the breasts significantly improve in a

short time period. I believe that the epidemic of breast disease we

are seeing in this country is due, in no small part, to iodine

deficiency. There are many other illnesses also improved with iodine

therapy...

Iodine has many positive therapeutic actions. It is a potent

anti-infective agent. No virus, bacteria or parasite has been shown to

be resistant to iodine therapy.

I have found that providing adequate iodine to provide the body with

iodine sufficiency markedly decreases the number and severity of

infections in these patients....

My clinical experience with using physiologic doses of iodine/iodide

(6.25-50mg/day) has been very positive. To date, in my practice, my

partners and I have treated over 3,000 patients. The side effects with

using these doses have been minimal. Rarely, have I observed iodism

(metallic taste in mouth, frontal sinus pressure/pain, and increased

salivation).

Iodism is easily rectified by adjusting the dose of iodine down or

simply telling the patient to await the resolution of these symptoms

which takes approximately 1-3 weeks. True iodine allergy to inorganic,

non-radioactive iodine is very rare. In treating over 3,000 patients,

I have found three patients with " allergy " to non-radioactive

inorganic iodine/iodide.

An acupressure technique, NAET (NAET.com) has proven very effective

to reverse this allergy. Allergy to fish, shellfish or radioactive

iodine does not mean there is an allergy to inorganic non-radioactive

iodine. In fact, true inorganic iodine allergy is very rare.

Part II: Clinical Pearls

Q.

Who should be checked for iodine deficiency?

A:

Iodine deficiency is wide-spread. The National Health and Nutrition

Survey undertaken by the CDC showed iodine levels falling over 50% in

the last 30 years.

All patients with chronic illness need to be assessed for iodine status.

Q.

How Do You Check Iodine Levels?

A:

Urine iodide levels are the accepted method.

Q.

Can you do spot urine iodide levels?

A:

Yes. This provides information on the iodine status of the body,

especially if the patient is not taking any iodine as a supplement. I

have found this test very useful.

Q.

Should you do an iodine/iodide-loading test?

A:

Yes. An iodine/iodide loading test provides useful information on the

iodine status of the body. If there is severe iodine deficiency, the

body would be expected to hold on to more of the ingested iodine. When

there is iodine sufficiency present, 90% of the ingested iodine (50mg)

will be excreted.

Q.

Should you use iodide only products?

A:

No. My experience has clearly shown that iodide only products (SSKI)

are inferior to iodine/iodide products. Different tissues of the body

will preferentially bind different forms of iodine.

Q.

How much iodine do you start with?

A:

If there is severe deficiency, spot urine iodine levels at or near

zero or low iodine loading tests results (<50% excretion), higher

iodine levels are generally needed. To maximize absorption and

retention of iodine, doses of 25-50mg may be needed in patients.

The sodium-iodine symporter, which pumps iodine into the cells against

a gradient will achieve a maximal response when serum iodine levels

approach 10¯5 -

10¯6 M concentration.

Q.

What are the side effects of iodine?

A:

The most common side effects encountered are; acne, metallic taste in

mouth, sneezing, excess saliva and frontal sinus pressure. These

reactions are relatively rare, occurring in less than 5% of patients.

Q.

What about iodine allergy?

A:

My experience has shown true allergy to inorganic, non-radioactive

iodine is very rare. Out of over 3,000 patients treated with iodine I

have found 3 with a true allergy exhibiting symptoms of a skin rash.

These patients were treated with NAET (www.naet.com), an acupressure

treatment and two were able to overcome their allergy and take the

iodine. One of the three above patients has not been able to take

iodine due to an allergy.

Q.

Does an allergy to shellfish or radioactive iodine imply an allergy to

inorganic non-radioactive iodine?

A:

No. An allergy to organic iodine does not imply an allergy to

inorganic non-radioactive iodine.

Q.

If someone is on thyroid medication, can they still take iodine?

A:

Yes. The body needs adequate amounts of iodine to properly utilize

thyroid hormone. Those individuals already on thyroid medication may

need to lower their dose of thyroid medication upon starting iodine

therapy.

My experience has shown that 1/3 of patients currently taking thyroid

medications will need to lower their dose of thyroid hormone after

starting iodine supplementation.

Q.

How do you know when to lower their dose of thyroid medication?

A:

If the patient exhibits signs of too much thyroid hormone (palpations,

nervousness, etc.), it is time to lower the dose. Generally, I have

found in those patients on thyroid medication where the addition of

iodine causes hyperthyroid symptoms, a 50% reduction in the dose of

thyroid hormone will rectify the problem.

If the patient is on a low thyroid dose (i.e., <1grain of desiccated

thyroid or <.088mg Levothyroxine), the addition of therapeutic doses

of iodine can result in the patient not needing to take any thyroid

medication.

Finally, the use of inorganic, non-radioactive iodine has been a

wonderful addition to my practice. The use of iodine doses in the

ranges described in this article have been used by our medical

predecessors and by different cultures safely and effectively.

I encourage physicians to check their patients for their iodine status

and to correct iodine deficiency when it is present.

[source: http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-09/IOD_09.htm]

http://www.drbrownstein.com/index.shtml

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Best wishes,

Pat

(Feb. 1, 2006)

HormonesandHealth-Naturally/

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