The Importance of Iodine in Thyroid Hormone Production

The most common thyroid problems arise from either overproduction or under-production of the thyroid gland. These most common thyroid problems are both directly related to iodine as it plays a very important role in thyroid hormone production.

Hyperthyroidism is also known as an overactive thyroid disease where there is production of too much thyroid hormone. This can happen as a result of taking too much iodine, whether in diet or drug intake. An example of which drug is amiodarone, which is commonly used to treat persons with irregular heartbeats.

Hypothyroidism is also known as under-active thyroid disease where there is under-production of thyroid hormones. This can happen as a result of iodine deficiency.

Iodine plays a very important role in thyroid hormone production. It is one of the essential minerals needed by the thyroid gland for production of thyroid hormones. The right amount of iodine is, therefore, needed for optimal thyroid function..

Severe iodine deficiency is known to cause hypothyroidism, developmental brain disorders, and severe goiter. A less severe iron deficiency is known to be linked to both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and thyroid enlargements. From this, we can see the utmost importance of just the right amount of iodine in our system..

Studies showed that a daily intake of 150 micrograms of iodine a day is needed for optimal thyroid function. The two thyroid hormones namely thyroxine and triiodothyronine are dependent on iodine, as well as, the amino acid tyrosine..

How to Avoid Iodine Deficiency

Iodine sufficiency is usually a result of not having enough iodine in one's diet. Our body cannot make iodine. We have to rely on external means of getting it into our system. Iodine is naturally present in the soil but since most soils today are also iodine deficient, we have to opt for the iodized table salts to get our daily supply.

Iodine is also naturally present in seawater. It is also present in some foods but since iodine amount is not listed in food packaging, here are some of the foods that are rich in iodine:

Dairy productsSeafood especially shellfishMeatBreadsEggsMultivitamin containing iodineYogurt/Frozen yogurt/Ice creamSeaweedSoy milk/Soy sauce

Persons with known thyroid problems should always consult a physician first before taking any iodine supplement or medication. Any kind of iodine supplementation should be maintained at a safe level to prevent any adverse and opposite effects that could potentially make problems even worse.

Dr. Gerry Hinley, D.C. believes Chiropractic's philosophy that teaches a person could heal from within, without drugs, surgery or their harmful side effects. He opened Integrative Physical Medicine of Chicago, where he has been making changes in peoples lives by helping them overcome and in many cases reverse thyroid dysfunction.

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Iodine If You Don't Know Where, What and Why, Prescribe Ye Then K and I (Old Medical Saying)

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

In clinical practice, the number of women easily identifiable as thyroid deficient has grown to epidemic proportions. Many have gone to their Doctors, have had the standard test; are re-assured they are fine, but are not. It seems the test is unreliable. Dr. David Brownstein in his book; "Iodine why you need it, why you can't live without it", quotes from a NHAES study showing iodine levels in the USA have dropped by 50% over the thirty years spanning from 1970 until 2000. Iodine plays a key role in thyroid health. More frighteningly he also points out low iodine levels in pregnant women have increased by 690%. Something is wrong, and we need to ask what!

In spite of massive spending on health care; money that mostly goes on pharmaceutical products, overall health is declining. True, acute disease has lessened significantly, but chronic illness has risen. Maybe, many of the things we are told that are beneficial for us, are not! As a population, we have been misinformed, but why? Most people have never heard of the Georgia Guidestones. The structure, also known as "The American Stonehenge", is located in Elberton, Georgia. The center cluster of the stones was erected in 1980; the site is dedicated to, "The Age of Reason". On the tablets are written ten guidelines in eight different languages. The first principle states: "Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature." Today, the world's population is a little over seven billion; to reach half a billion requires culling six and a half billion! Conspiracy theorists tell you this is the intention of the Illuminati or New World Order. As I consider the drastic consequences of poor health, it seems that the conspiracy theorists might be right after all!

We were told the thyroid problem was solved by the introduction of iodized salt in the 1920s. Women, who lived remote from iodine rich soil, usually found near the life-giving influence of the sea, suffered thyroid enlargement. As the deficient gland had to overwork it increased in size producing a strangulating goiter. They found adding a 5% potassium iodine solution to table salt, gave just enough iodine to prevent goiters growing, but not enough to remedy more subtle thyroid dysfunctions. Sadly, the refining also removed most of the minerals in sea salt. Table salt is now found widely around the world. Seventy-nine percent of households in Thailand, for example, use it.

Until 1950 underactive thyroid was treated with iodine supplementation. No, this is not the product you buy in the pharmacy to dab on wounds! This form is poisonous because it contains alcohol which must never be ingested. Instead, Iodine and its relative iodide are available in liquid and tablet variety. The popularity of iodine, hit a brick wall when the "Wolff-Chaikoff" study emerged from the University of California, Berkeley in 1947. It flew in the face of contemporary thinking; stating any iodine intake in excess of 2 mgs was excessive and potentially harmful. They claimed greater amounts caused hypothyroidism. This was not a scientific fact because hormone levels were never measured to support the argument. This warning then entered the annals of medical knowledge. So Doctors stopped prescribing iodine for thyroid conditions.

The other successful treatment option is by means of protomorphogens this translates as a substance taken from an animal source, normally porcine. Armor Labs have been producing their animal derived extract from as early as the 1930s. When the pharmaceutical companies started producing synthetic thyroid extract in the late 1950s, they swamped the market. Physicians stopped prescribing the natural thyroid extract: now it is pretty difficult to find.

At the same time, bromide ingestion has grown tremendously. Bromide is an iodine antagonist. It is to be found in soft drinks, white bread, toothpaste, fluoridated drinking water, beauty products and hair dyes. Up until the 1970s potassium iodide was added to bread, thanks to Wolff-Chaikoff the practice ceased; it was replaced by potassium bromide. No wonder the thyroid problem has blown up like a balloon. Oh, I haven't mentioned increased radiation levels either! There is also the question of fluoride and chlorine added to drinking water. These halogens are iodine antagonists, too!

In view of all of this information, everybody needs to increase iodine intake. Eating Wakame seaweed is an excellent remedy, as is eating mussels and seafood. But you require quite a lot as a recommended daily dose to prevent low thyroid and excessive radiation, would be in the region of 30mg. If you have any doubts, it is never recommended to self-prescribe but instead go and see your health care practitioner who will check the problem out for you.

Alister Bredee is a freelance author specializing in articles on health related topics. He is a health care practitioner and partner in the Health Ambit Consultancy. He lives in Thailand, is available for consultations and can be contacted via his website: http://www.healthambit.com/. He publishes a regular blog and Health Ambit Consultancy has a page on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Health-Ambit-Consultancy/121188917919338

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