Have You Had Your Iodine Level Checked? Here's Why You Might Want To

Today's research took me to an area of health that grabs my attention almost as much as the realm of hormone balance.  I personally realized that I was a bit iodine deficient after testing my levels about 1 year ago.  I then started doing some restoration therapy to address it.  The testing was super simple to perform (an at home urine kit) and quite affordable at a cost of $75. Today's blog is just to share some key facts about iodine and it's importance to the body in health and prevention of disease.  I know your time is as limited as mine, so I will keep this blog in "bullet points" for easy-breezy access to the nuts and bolts of information.  So, here goes....

*Iodine is a member of halogen family which also includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and astatine. 

*Every cell in the body contains and utilizes iodine which is concentrated in the glandular system

*The thyroid gland contains the largest amount of iodine although it can also be found in breast tissue, salivary glands, parotid glands, pancreas, CSF, brain, stomach, skin, and other places.

*The absence of iodine is known to be a promoter of cancer

*IoDIDE is a salt.  Breast tissue, prostate tissue and the stomach prefer iodINE, whilst the thyroid, salivary glands and the skin prefer ioDIDE. In other words, the body needs both.

*Iodine is essential for the normal growth and development of children.  In fact, researchers have established that a baby's IQ is set by the age of 2, and iodine is what sets the IQ.  (Interesting huh?)

*A deficiency of iodine can result in cretinism, mental deficiency, deafness, and delayed development. 

*In Japan the average person eats 13.8mg/day of iodine.  In America, 168mcg (huge difference)

*The U.S. has the highest breast cancer incidence in the world, while Japan has the lowest.

*In the U.S., there are 7 deaths per 1000 live births, in Japan it is 3.5, the lowest in the world.

*We are taking the iodine out of bread, milk, and salt.  Half of our cooking salts contain no iodine.

*With high blood pressure, the first point of therapy is to remove salt from the diet.  (Think about it)

*Iodine deficiency results in fibrocystic breast disease and dysplastic changes of the breast.

*Low iodine levels leads to a high estrogen state. 

*Researchers connect an increased prevalence of Attention Deficit  (500% in 5-6yrs) to so many pregnant women who are iodine deficient.

*Researchers connect iodine deficiency to Fibrocystic Breast Disease, Polycystic Ovaries, cysts, and ovarian cancer. 

*Our environment has competitive inhibitors of iodine.  Do a "google" search of halides and the impact on iodine status and thyroid health.

*I recently came across a set of prescriptions from the 1950's and 60's.  In them, I couldn't help but notice all of the Rx's for Iodine Supplementation.  We don't see that very much at all today.

*Possible symptoms of iodine deficiency: thyroid disease, goiter, weight gain, infertility, memory loss, emotional instability, breast cancer, fibrocystic breasts, prostate cancer, cold hands and feet, swelling, low energy, indigestion, heart palpitations, brain fog, dry skin, hair loss, fatigue, constipation, intolerance to heat, menstrual disorders, A.D.D., and sleep disorders. 

This blog (hopefully) gives compelling evidence that iodine levels should be checked out in the "health-care" approach to longevity and in the prevention of disease.  I am a provider of an at-home testing kit that will allow you to do a personal check of your iodine status.  Give our team a call and we can walk you through the process.

To your good iodine health,
Dr. Sonja