IODINE FULFILLMENT THERAPY

[From �Health Alert� Newsletter by Dr. Bruce West, December 2005, Volume 22, Issue 12]
[To subscribe to �Health Alert� Newsletter: https://www.healthalert.com/ ]


From 1900 to the 1960s almost every single U.S. physician used Lugol (iodine) supplements in his or her practice for both hypo- and hyperthyroid, as well as many, many other conditions�all with excellent results. In fact, iodine was considered a panacea for all human ills. (1) Today a phobia�generated by medical misinformation against iodine therapy�has caused physicians to avoid this powerful treatment like the plague. (2)

By avoiding iodine therapy, you could be missing out on the very link that could get you well. Today we know that total body iodine fulfillment or sufficiency can finally resolve tough, stubborn problems that resist all other treatments. Called orthoiodosupplementation, this treatment employs elemental iodine supplements until the thyroid gland and all other iodine-sensitive sites in the body have reached iodine sufficiency.

The most commonly difficult problems for which this therapy has been called a panacea are fibrocystic breasts, polycystic ovary syndrome, hypo- and hyperthyroid (with or without goiter), brain fog, constipation, obesity, diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and even some heart problems�most notably irreversible arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation.

Why Iodine is Important

Iodine is detected in every organ and tissue in the body. It is found in high levels in the thyroid gland, liver, lung, heart, and adrenal glands. It is found in the highest concentrations in fat and muscle tissue. It is depleted out of the thyroid gland and other tissues when thyroid hormone medications are prescribed. Iodine has been considered so important that up until 20 years ago, it had been routinely added to bread as a supplement. Now because of politics and fear of iodine, the thyroid-toxin bromine has taken its place as a bread supplement. And in the past 20 years there has been an increased prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, as well as more thyroid and breast cancers.

According to Guy E. Abraham, MD, perhaps the world�s most knowledgeable expert on iodine and the thyroid, �Medical iodophobia has reached pandemic proportions. It is highly contagious and has wreaked havoc on the practice of medicine and on the U.S. population. More misery and death in the U.S. may have resulted from [medicine�s unwarranted fear of iodine] than from both World Wars combined.�

That is quite a statement from a former professor of Endocrinology and a man who pioneered ways to assay iodine and minute quantities of hormones in the body. This man in the past 35 years has received more biochemistry, diagnostics, clinical chemistry, and hormone and iodine research awards than anyone I know of. And he has studied iodine therapy in high doses in over 4,000 people�publishing his findings in a document titled �The Iodine Project.� These findings once and for all dispelled the medical myth and fear of iodine therapy.

Whole Body Iodine Sufficiency

Thyroidologists like Dr. Abraham have learned of the tremendous benefits of what they call whole body iodine sufficiency�when the body is saturated with sufficient iodine to supply all the tissues. Along the way, they have also discovered some amazing things about current thyroid treatment, thyroid drugs, and iodine. The very first thing discovered is that iodine is the treatment of choice for hypo- and hyperthyroid problems�with or without goiter.

Doctors could get as high as a 90% cure rate with hyperthyroid (overactive thyroid) by using what would be considered high doses of iodine daily. Doses of six to 37 mgs daily seemed equally effective in resolving cases of hypothyroid (underactive thyroid). These doses, once considered normal, are now considered high by most people in the medical profession.

Whole body iodine sufficiency is also a critical means to counter the side effects of thyroid hormone medications (Synthroid, etc.). Long-term use of these drugs is associated with depletion of thyroid and tissue iodine levels, as well as increased rates of cancer. Fluorescent scanning of the thyroid clearly shows how drug and other medical thyroid therapies deplete the gland and body of critical iodine.

Therefore, Synthroid or thyroid-destructive therapies should never be taken without iodine therapy�something you will never hear from your endocrinologist. If all Thyroidologists and endocrinologists were forced to fluorescence scan their patients� thyroid glands, they would then have to fact up to the damages they are causing to these glands and their patients!

In addition to thyroid therapy, all thyroid patients should be on iodine therapy, with the goal to reach a whole body iodine sufficiency. When this state is reached, the following results (gathered using sophisticated lab testing, fluorescence screening, clinical measurements, and a host of other high-tech medical testing procedures) have been observed:
� Goiter is reduced or eliminated.
� Stress on the pituitary gland with resultant high TSH readings is eliminated.
� Increased excretion of thyroid poisons and heavy metals occurs via the kidneys.
� The liver�s detoxification mechanisms are enhanced.
� Obesity is more easily overcome�in fact, iodine therapy may be a critical and unknown factor in obesity.
� Diabetes and high blood pressure are more easily controlled.
� Breast tissue normalizes with decreased occurrences of fibrocystic breast disease.
� Menopausal symptoms are improved.
� Polycystic Ovary Syndrome can be cured.
� Brain function is better, with less brain fog.
� Heart function is better, with reduced arrhythmia problems.
� And cancer rates, especially of the thyroid and breast, are reduced.

Additionally, through the Iodine Project studies, Dr. Abraham discovered that even patients with complete thyroidectomy (removal of the whole gland) benefited from iodine therapy. Therefore it became known that iodine not only improved the thyroid gland, but the other target areas of the body where iodine and thyroid hormone are active.

The doctors in the Project found that patients who achieved iodine sufficiency were often able to resolve diabetes problems without insulin. They could normalize blood pressure without medication. Goiters were resolved. And those taking thyroid hormone medication could greatly reduce or completely eliminate these drugs.

__________________
"The nurse should be cheerful, orderly, punctual, patient, full of faith, - receptive to Truth and Love" Mary Baker Eddy
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Heart, Arrhythmias, Fibrillation

As you have read over and over in Health Alert, there is an epidemic of cardiac arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation in this country. Expert Thyroidologists like Dr. Abraham are convinced that the medical iodine phobia has a great deal to do with this phenomenon. Adequate stores of iodine are necessary for a smooth heartbeat.

Amazingly, while medicine shuns iodine therapy, their most popular anti-fibrillation drug, Amiodarone, actually is iodine in a toxic, sustained release form. This drug can produce a smooth heartbeat when the body has accumulated about 1.5 grams (1,500 mgs) of iodine. This is exactly the same amount of iodine retained by the human body when iodine sufficiency is achieved by natural iodine supplementation.

The problem with Amiodarone is that this form of iodine (which the medical profession has a penchant for) is extremely toxic. The side effects are most often too great for patients to regain a normal heartbeat. Therefore it only makes sense to try to achieve iodine sufficiency with the natural form of iodine instead. That is why I always recommend iodine (in the form of either Cataplex F and/or Prolamine Iodine from Standard Process) with my arrhythmia and fibrillation patients.

Caution!

If you are about to try to achieve iodine sufficiency with slowly increasing doses of Prolamine Iodine, you must note that this is to be done in place of Amiodarone�not simultaneously with it. So you will need to have your doctor stop the drug therapy when you start the iodine therapy. Therapy usually starts at 1 tablet of Prolamine Iodine daily for a week. If no problem arises, the dose increases slowly (every week to 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 tablets daily). If there are no problems along the way, and especially if your heart begins to function more normally, you would stay at 5 or 6 tablets daily for three to six months. Or you might need three months of 12 Prolamine Iodine tablets per day to achieve full iodine sufficiency levels. This is, of course, in conjunction with your current heart protocol of phytonutrients.

Types of Iodine and Doses

For decades Lugol iodine has been used by expert Thyroidologists. But liquid iodine has problems�it tastes bad, can upset your stomach, and can stain your clothes. There is a Lugol tablet on the market called Iodoral. This is the type of iodine Dr. Abraham uses. It is the inorganic form and each tablet contains 12 mgs of iodine. Iodoral is sold only to physicians, but you may be able to buy it on the Internet by doing a Google search for Iodoral.

We use Prolamine Iodine, which is the organic form. Each tablet contains 3 mgs of iodine. Iodoral is less expensive, and some studies (at least with fibrocystic breast disease) show it to be more effective than Prolamine Iodine. Our results with all conditions show them to be equally effective.

Exactly what dose is best for you is difficult to determine. But we now know that what were formerly considered high doses of the right form of iodine are safe and effective. Some iodine-deficient people only need a tablet or two daily. For people with more serious iodine deficiency problems, iodine sufficiency must be achieved. This is accomplished with a daily dose of around 37 mgs for three months: four Iodoral or 12 Prolamine Iodine tablets daily.

And this dose should be achieved slowly�starting with one Prolamine Iodine tablet daily, increasing one to two tablets daily each week. Without side effects, the dose should be increased weekly until the iodine sufficiency dose of 12 daily is achieved. With Iodoral, start with one tablet daily and increase by one tablet each week until you are taking four tablets daily. Either way, after achieving the full iodine sufficiency dose, it should be maintained for three months.

We now know that it is possible for some people to eliminate their need for medical thyroid drugs after achieving iodine sufficiency. We also now know that anyone taking thyroid drugs like Synthroid should also be on iodine therapy. At the very least, iodine therapy can decrease the need for thyroid hormone drugs.

We are just beginning to discover the amazing curative powers of iodine. While it may not be the panacea that old-timers have claimed, it is indeed critical. It is often the missing factor in �incurable� conditions like obesity, diabetes, breast disease, polycystic ovaries, thyroiditis, hypothyroid, autoimmune thyroid problems, and more.

While some doctors claim that no one is really allergic to iodine, I have seen sensitivities. If you do not know if you are allergic to iodine, then you are not. Those who are truly allergic know it and carefully avoid shellfish, iodized salt, most fish, kelp, and other foods that contain iodine.

The Iodine Test

If you are one of those who would like more proof that your body needs or does not need iodine, let me share a simple test. But a bottle of Tincture of Iodine at the drug store and paint a 2� square spot on your inner arm. If it disappears in less than eight hours, you desperately need iodine. If it disappears in 24 hours, you also need iodine. If it simply stays on your arm and begins to slowly fade in color after a full 24 hours, you have already reached iodine sufficiency.

You can retest yourself every one to two weeks while on therapy. And you can use the test to help you judge your individual dosage need for iodine. Remember that contrary to current medical opinion, the real thyroid experts have proven that most patients who need iodine therapy require from three to 37 mgs/day. And that means from one to 12 Prolamine Iodine tablets daily. Always start out slowly. Judge your results, monitor your symptoms and any side effects, and use the thyroid patch test to help you along the way.

Proceed Slowly

As discussed, some people are sensitive to the iodine metal. That is why all iodine therapy must be accomplished with a good degree of caution. Use the patch test to help you determine dose. Always start out at a low dose of one Prolamine Iodine tablet daily. Increase your dose slowly�by adding one or two tablets daily each week. If you experience problems or side effects, stop your therapy. If you are like most people and continue to improve, your therapy is effective.

Side effects among sensitive individuals include skin irritation; watery eyes, nose, and saliva; nervousness or headache. Some sensitive people can experience tachycardia (racing heart). While iodine therapy has been shown to be a great aid to those with atrial fibrillation, if you experience a racing heart, you must stop iodine therapy immediately.

So use the patch test, start slowly, increase your dose slowly and only by one tablet a week (some people need only a tablet or two while others require six to 12 tablets daily). Iodine sufficiency (all tissues with adequate iodine) can require 12 Prolamine Iodine tablets daily for three months. After three months reduce your dose to three per day for a month, then one per day. Watch for problems, watch for improvements, and see for yourself if iodine therapy is the missing link in your stubborn health problems.

NOTES
(1)�Iodine in medicine and pharmacy since its discovery�1811-1961,� Proc R Soc Med, 1961:54:831-836.
(2)�Iodine therapy,� Health Aler

t, Vol. 21, No. 3.

__________________
"The nurse should be cheerful, orderly, punctual, patient, full of faith, - receptive to Truth and Love" Mary Baker Eddy
Visit www.HealthSalon.org

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, ARRHYTHMIAS AND IODINE
By Bruce West, D.C.

[In Health Alert, June 2006, Volume 23, Issue 6. To order, call 831-372-2103, weekdays. Or write Health Alert, 100 Wilson Road, #110, Monterey Ca 93940.]

�As you have read over and over in Health Alert, there is an epidemic of cardiac arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation in this country. Expert Thyroidologists like Guy Abraham, MD, are convinced that the medical iodine phobia has a great deal to do with this phenomenon. Adequate stores of iodine are necessary for a smooth heartbeat.� -- Health Alert, Vol. 22, No. 12

Too many years ago medical experts determined that high doses of iodine were dangerous, despite a hundred-year history of extremely high doses (in today�s terms) of iodine prescribed by doctors for just about everything�with great results. As is often the case, the flawed results of this study became medical dogma. And today, more than 50 years later, organized medicine still follows that dogma when it comes to iodine therapy.

This is particularly sad for those who do not have access to alternative medical care and are suffering from problems with thyroid and goiter, female reproductive diseases, menopause, diabetes, obesity, liver disease, polycystic ovaries, breast disease, heart disease, and most especially arrhythmia problems.
Missing Link
Iodine supplementation may be the missing link in a good percentage of heart arrhythmia cases, especially atrial fibrillation. The body needs adequate stores of iodine for the heart to beat smoothly. After close to a year now of using Iodine Fulfillment Therapy, I can attest to this fact. Most of the stubborn cases of cardiac arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation that we were unable to completely correct with our cardiac protocols have now been resolved with adequate supplies of iodine added to the protocol.

Even I was fooled for years�fooled away from using adequate doses of iodine. But thanks to bona fide experts like Dr. Abraham, I was able to see the decades-old medical iodine phobia for what it really was�a mistake. Carefully and slowly at first, I started having patients take sufficient doses of iodine. Much to my surprise, there were no problems, just many great results, especially with arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation.
Iodine Fulfillment
Iodine fulfillment means the entire body has adequate stores of iodine to function properly. Although iodine can be found in every organ and tissue in the body, some areas utilize more iodine than others. It is not only the thyroid gland that uses iodine but also the heart, breasts, ovaries, muscles, liver, and adrenal glands. We are also discovering that while it may take smaller doses to fulfill the thyroid�s needs, it often takes much larger doses to fulfill the rest of the body�s needs, including the needs of the heart.

These parts of the body are iodine sensitive�that is, if they are starving for iodine, they do not function properly. Since there are so many iodine-sensitive sites in the body, medical experts are finding that iodine therapy can be a �panacea� of sorts for all types of stubborn problems. Just as physicians noted 60 to 100 years ago, iodine therapy can help people with hypo- or hyperthyroid (with or without goiter), fibrocystic breasts, polycystic ovary syndrome, brain fog, constipation, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. In addition, it may prove essential treatment if you suffer from heart disease, arrhythmias, and atrial fibrillation.

In the past, with just about every patient with heart problems, arrhythmias, and atrial fibrillation, I would always use a protocol from Standard Process that included Cataplex F. Cataplex F is a combination of liver extract, omega-3 fatty acids, and iodine. But the typical dose of four to six Cataplex F tablets contains less than one milligram of iodine. While this dose was adequate for most people, some failed to respond, or only got partially better. Old-time physicians used to routinely prescribe up to 100 milligrams daily for all kinds of problems with excellent results. Now I know that they were on the right track.
How Much Iodine, and For How Long?
As I see people with stubborn arrhythmias getting better on 10, 20, 30, and even up to 50 mgs of iodine daily, I know that large doses are sometimes needed by the body. This is what Iodine Fulfillment Therapy is all about. Iodine fulfillment simply fulfills all of the body�s needs for iodine. For those deficient, this may require up to 50 mgs daily for three to four months.

If you have been unable to resolve your heart arrhythmia with one of my protocols, the simplest way to proceed with Iodine Fulfillment Therapy is to add Prolamine Iodine from Standard Process to your heart protocol. Begin with one Prolamine Iodine tablet daily. If there are no problems after a few days to a week, increase the dose to two daily. Continue this procedure, increasing the dose by one more daily until your heart begins to beat smoothly. At this point, you have reached iodine fulfillment. Stay at this dose for a full three months.

Since each Prolamine Iodine tablet contains 3 mgs of iodine, your body may require from 1 to 15 tablets daily for three months. Most people achieve results after 3 to 10 tablets daily. After three full months at your iodine fulfillment dose, begin to cut the dose back by one to two tablets daily each week. If you begin to feel your heart act up again, you have gone past your maintenance dose. Add back one more tablet daily. You will generally end up with a dose of one to four daily�and this dose should be maintained for 12 months. Thereafter, you will probably need even less.
Don�t Take Prolamine Iodine and Amiodarone
Amazingly, while medicine shuns iodine therapy, their most popular anti-fibrillation drug, Amiodarone, actually is iodine in a toxic, sustained-release form. This drug can produce a smooth heartbeat when the body has accumulated about 1,500 mgs of iodine�the exact amount of iodine retained by your body when iodine fulfillment is achieved by natural supplementation with Prolamine Iodine.

__________________
"The nurse should be cheerful, orderly, punctual, patient, full of faith, - receptive to Truth and Love" Mary Baker Eddy
Visit www.HealthSalon.org

Unfortunately, Amiodarone is an extremely toxic form of iodine used by the medical profession. The side effects are often too great (and even life threatening) for most people to endure long enough to achieve a normal heartbeat. In addition, once you stop this drug, your original problem returns. Iodine therapy, on the other hand, fulfills the body�s needs safely, then maintains the smooth heartbeat with a low-maintenance dose.

Because Amiodarone is iodine, you cannot use iodine fulfillment therapy while you are taking this drug. Rather, your doctor needs to wean you off this drug first, so you can then begin natural iodine treatment. In other words, iodine fulfillment therapy is done in place of Amiodarone, not together with it. Amiodarone and iodine at the same time can be dangerous.

If you are on a heart protocol that has been only partially effective, or your arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation problem is stubborn, you will need to test iodine fulfillment therapy. However, you will maintain your original heart protocol with one change. Once iodine therapy has started (even at one Prolamine Iodine tablet daily), you will no longer need to take Cataplex F. Everything else in your protocol remains the same.
The Iodine Test
In the past we held that if it took less than 24 hours for tincture of iodine to disappear from the skin then there was a need for iodine supplementation. Today, I am not so sure this is a good indicator of iodine need. There are just too many variables involved in how quickly the tincture disappears from the skin.

However, tincture of iodine, available in drug stores everywhere for pennies, cannot hurt. Common sense dictates that if the iodine first disappears in a few hours, but stays in place for more than 24 hours after iodine fulfillment therapy, it is a good test. I will leave it up to you if you want to challenge this test.

As far as I�m concerned, I am finding more and more people deficient in iodine�even those I would not have thought would have this problem. At this stage, unless you know you are allergic to iodine (a very rare condition), it would be best to fulfill your body�s needs for iodine if you have any of the problems mentioned in this article.

Simply proceed with caution, slowly and carefully. For anyone setting out on a course of iodine fulfillment therapy, please send us a self-addressed envelope with two stamps and say IODINE. We will send you our full article so you will know exactly how to proceed. The best course of action is to proceed with iodine therapy safely, as there have been some problems reported in certain individuals. I recommend that you proceed only when you have our Iodine flyer in your hands.
Problems and Allergy to Iodine
Few problems have been reported when iodine therapy is accomplished slowly and safely�as outlined in my flyer. Sensitive individuals may experience skin irritation; watery eyes, nose, and saliva; nervousness or headache. Some highly sensitive individuals may also experience a racing heart or irritation of the esophagus. These are extremely rare (I�ve seen very few of these potential problems), and they are easily resolved by either immediately reducing the dose or quitting the iodine.

The greatest problem arises when an individual with a known allergy to iodine tries iodine therapy. This therapy cannot be used by these folks unless their allergy to iodine is resolved.

Resolving an allergy to iodine may be possible with an acupuncture technique called NAET. To find out if your allergy to iodine (or other substances, for that matter) can be resolved, check out the acupuncture site of an old friend of Health Alert, Dr. Devi Nambudripad, at www.naet.com.

The second greatest problem can occur if you try iodine therapy while taking an iodine drug like Amiodarone. This will cause problems that can require medical attention. Do not attempt to take large doses of iodine when you are taking Amiodarone, Pacerone, or Cardarone. If you want to try iodine therapy, your doctor will first have to wean you from these drugs.

In conclusion, if you suffer from heart arrhythmias or atrial fibrillation, or any of the problems listed in this article, keep iodine therapy in mind. If you use iodine therapy, please feel free to send me your results. As I�ve said, I have been nothing but pleasantly surprised with results coming back better and better. And I can finally reach some of those really stubborn arrhythmia and fibrillation cases that just would not respond completely to my protocol containing only a milligram or two of iodine.

It is now beyond a doubt that adequate iodine is necessary for a smooth heartbeat. This ongoing research is truly wonderful news.

__________________
"The nurse should be cheerful, orderly, punctual, patient, full of faith, - receptive to Truth and Love" Mary Baker Eddy
Visit www.HealthSalon.org

I use two forms of iodine, at this point in my life-long science experiment with my health.

When I'm home, I often use Iosol. When I'm on the road or at work, I use Iodoral.

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You're officially invited to come visit my new blog: www.healthyfellow.com

I've used Iodoral for a year, and I just had my thyroid checked, and one of the nodes on my thyroid has gotten LARGER. which is disappointing to me because I thought the iodine would reduce the nodes.



but.. the doctor said not to worrry, we will just watch it to make sure it doesn't keep growing.

but.. it is still disappointing after all the stuff I've read by Brownstein, and Abraham.

I'm sorry to hear that as well Scorpiotiger. I did not have much success with my iodine therapy for my conditions either. One thing to remember is to keep vitamin C away from iodine consumption for about 2 hours (same as MMS). Also, it is greatly helped by supplementing with selenium.

My problem was that the iodine was doing nothing for my fungus; other than making it angry. I felt that I was in detox for 5 months. Imagine the feeling of herx for 5 months.

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- Jim

I know that about iodine (and it is also true for thyroid hormone replacement as there is iodine in the hormone).

so, that wasn't the probem. I take a multivitamin with selenium, but not consistently. However, if this was a requirement for this to work, you would think that Brownstein and Abraham would have included that in their protocol.

sorry it didn't work for the fungus. made it angry? I'm envisioning the swamp monster rising from your stomach, growling..

what is herx?

Herx is my shortening of Herxheimer. This is known in both the allopathic and naturopathic world. You remember that the doctors seem to say, "It might get worse before it gets better."? It is the die-off of pathogens. When pathogens die they emit a toxin. It is the liver's job to filter these toxins. Sometimes the liver is overwhelmed; some times the die off takes place beyond the liver - the intestines. At any rate, it can make you sick in various ways. Mine detox symptoms showed up with more intense sinus problems (every day for those 5 months). It could have been due to much fungi being killed. After iodine, I tried MMS for 8 more months. Same thing. Though, I think it finally did kill off enough fungus.

I was getting convinced that I have Leaky Gut Syndrome.

LGS might have occured when the fungus, over decades, was able to grow its roots through the intestinal walls. The roots act as sponges and allow toxins to pass through and into the blood stream. This made my immune system think that I had an allergen. Once again, my sinuses were the victim. It was as if I had a food allergy for every possible food.

So that's where I am now. Next step - strengthen my liver so that it will produce more quality bile. Bile is an antiseptic as strong as iodine or MMS. If my liver were strong enough back when I was a child, I would never have gotten fungus in the first place.

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- Jim

no offense, JFH, but I don't think detox should last that long. Unless the problem is still ongoing, and detox isn't really "fixing" anything.

I have always found it interesting that one alternative guru will call all bad effects from their own protocol, "detoxing", and then call all bad effects from an opposing protocol an indication that there is something wrong with the protocol.

I am not saying that detox isn't possible. After all, people detox from alcohol and drugs and those are very taxing on the body. But if following a certain regimen that is supposed to get rid of toxins, then the detox shouldn't go on and on and on. Then, maybe it isn't "detox", but just bad repercussions from the diet. or maybe something in the diet is producing other problems.

As I said in a previous message, I "felt" I was in detox for 5 months with iodine. Then again for 8 months with MMS. I mean, my gosh, how much fungi do I have to kill day after day? Never the less, neither iodine nor MMS worked for me and made my symptoms worsen. On the other hand, maybe they really did kill off the fungi completely and left the dead roots which cause my intestines to be made permeable. Maybe I now have to allow time for my intestinal wall to heal; before I will really feel better.

I don't know what you have to expect next for yourself either. Maybe the iodine will continue to work. Maybe you should do salt flushes to help displace the bromine. It is so hard to tell without a professional third party observer. Wouldn't it be nice to find a really good ND?

__________________
- Jim

well.. how do I know the iodine is doing anything? my bloodwork looks the same. and my node is LARGER.. so, I'm not sure whether to continue it or not. I think I will try to find a kelp supplement (from an untainted source) that is equivalent.. because that has selenium also, and probably some other things not in iodoral.

but.. this is the problem with alternative "cures". You have to give them some time to make a change.. but how much time does one person have??!!!

It would be nice if there were a few studies done on attacking certain problems that have "strong" historical alternative use (and I think iodine falls in this category). If you go by testimonials alone.. well every alternative cure has testimonials. Does anyone know of any alternative cure that doesn't?

but.. a person spends 6 months on this, then 6 months on that, then another 6 months on something else.. and nothing works.. after a while you think.. what a waste of time (and money).

and that's the way I'm feeling about the different things I've tried for my thyroid. coconut oil, low carb diet, iodine.. I'm beginning to think a lot of this really is fueled by "belief", and maybe I'm too cynical a cat for alternative cures.. the placebo effect isn't working for me.

but.. I will say, I'm glad I switched to armour. that was definitely an improvement.. not a cure, but definitely an improvement. I'm happy with a product, even if I have to take it forever.. if it is an improvement over another product I will have to take forever. That's ok. since it seems one way or the other, I'm going to have to take something forever.

I was going to try acupuncture. but the person I was looking at hasn't moved her office yet.

I am thinking of trying the inno-vita and/or systemic formulas that ralph is always saying will heal the organ. I would like to test that. I would be very happy to have something "heal" my thyroid.

but.. I asked ralph if he really knew of anyone that was "cured", did not have to take armour after a regimen of inno-vita or systemic formulas.. and it has been a couple of days, and no answer. I don't want to try something if he is just going on what is in brochures.

anyway, I contacted inno-vita and asked them if there was a practitioner in my area. they said no, but for me to tell them the name of my doctor, and they would send him material so I could talk to him!!! NO WAY!!! If I'm going to go to a doctor for this, I want someone that has already tried it.. and can tell me what kind of success they've had with it - what I can expect. I'm not going to be the one to convince my doctor!

and I haven't heard back from systemic formulas at all.

I'm kind of disgusted.

maybe I will just try the black market standard process protomorphogens and have my endocrinologist test me every 6 months. sounds like a plan to me. and add the acupuncture when I can.

I would tell you to not be discouraged or disappointed ST; but I'm right there with ya. Not very supportive, huh? Sorry. I feel like I know what you are reacting to. I feel like I could have a nice retirement income for all the money that I've spent through the decades in trying to improve my quality of life. I wish I could recommend that you stay the course on iodine; but I got no support from it either.

I'm tired of trying that next "best thing" on the market to fix my symptoms "guaranteed". I'm moving away from the Germ Theory. Instead, I'm going to work on those body organs that are supposed to keep me working efficiently.

I've found an herbalist who promotes that philosophy. He has sent a liver tonic first. That is supposed to be nutrition for the liver to be able to inprove and be able to produce bile the way it is supposed to. Bile is an antiseptic. It should be able to move the bowels and kill pathogens among other things. But instead of herbs to kill the pathogens, his concept is to strengthen the body for it to be able to do it and continue doing it. This is the way iodine and MMS should work. This should take about 2 to 4 weeks for the liver to be fixed. Then, at the same time, I'm taking another herbal mixture that will support the problem I have with tissue prolapsis; which should help strengthen my mucous membranes. I think he said that this latest mixture, which I had to cook up myself from herbs he sent, is pretty astringent and should get things moving faster; opening healing channels. After all, my problems have existed for more than 50 years. He said, "no matter, the liver quickly regenerates". It may just need help.

I'm excited about this new avenue; however, if it fails, I will probably move over to the allopathic world.

I'm hoping our courses will be more than placebo. I'm cheering for you. Please continue to share.

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- Jim

Thanks, Jim. I hope you will keep us posted on your progress, too. I think posting results is important, whether good or bad.

well, I think I will just try the protomorphogens.. something different. I have a standard process book on remedies.. I will look to see what dosage they recommend.

I have the protomorphogen books here:

https://www.ifnh.org/Library%20Lee.htm

and some discussions on protomorphogens vs glandular extracts:

Protomorphogen discussion (junglegym)

anyway... I'm thinking about my next step.

How much iodine did you use Scorpiotiger?