Iodine and Potassium Iodide

[Persej]

Also, to all of you who worry about your TSH results being high: I also just got my blood test results for thyroid and they look all normal. Last year this time TSH was 12.15 and now it's 2.23 (normal ranges: 0.40 - 4.40). So iodine must have helped while I was taking it all these months! Maybe my system just reached a saturation point with iodine, and if I let some time go by I would be able to start with very low doses again with one day on, few off etc.

Wow! That is a huge difference. I'm glad your TSH is now in normal range. Is that your best TSH level so far? I remember you saying that you always had high TSH.

 

[Adaryn]

Had some blood tests done recently and there were a few interesting things.

The main thing I'm interested in is lowering my cortisol. From what I understand, the main way to do that is to chill out! Although cutting way back on carbs and sugar is also advised.

Started back on one drop 2% lugols. 2nd day today. So far so good.

From what I understand, a slightly ouf of range result doesn't necessarily mean it's "abnormal" although blood count does provide useful information so it's important to do it as a routine to have an idea where we're at, compared to, say, the year before. But it's just a complementary piece of information to keep in mind while we observe how we feel from day to day, while adjusting our diet and so on.

FWIW

_https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/features/ref-ranges/

Three important things to know about reference ranges:

A normal result in one lab may be abnormal in another: You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits." While accuracy of laboratory testing has significantly evolved over the past few decades, some lab-to-lab variability can occur due to differences in testing equipment, chemical reagents used, and analysis techniques. Consequently, for most lab tests, there is no universally applicable reference value. This is the reason why so few reference ranges are provided in the test information on this website, Lab Tests Online.
A normal result does not promise health: While having all test results within normal limits is certainly a good sign, it's not a guarantee. For many tests, there is a lot of overlap among results from healthy people and those with diseases, so there is still a chance that there could be an undetected problem. Lab test results in some people with disease fall within the reference range, especially in the early stages of a disease.
An abnormal result does not mean you are sick: A test result outside the reference range may or may not indicate a problem. Since many reference values are based on statistical ranges in healthy people, you may be one of the healthy people outside the statistical range, especially if your value is close to the expected reference range. However, the abnormal value does alert your healthcare provider to a possible problem, especially if your test result is far outside the expected values.

 

[Alana]

Maybe my system just reached a saturation point with iodine, and if I let some time go by I would be able to start with very low doses again with one day on, few off etc.

That is my impression as well, maybe you reached a saturation point.

I don't know if you are doing some sort of heavy metal chelation, but I noticed that that made me extremely tired. On DMSA days, I had even unstable gait which cleared the next day. After the DMSA days, I feel much better and focused. Now I'm doing a standard low dose in order to avoid organ damage from a high release of mercury into my bloodstream. Slowly but surely seems to work for me here as well.

No, I had stopped all chellation treatments and all supplements in general before I started feeling so tired. It's tired, and dizzy and feeling like I am going to faint, with nausea sometimes too. The homeopath gave me remedies for these symptoms, I'll start tonight and I'll let you know in a few days how it works. She also gave me homeopathic iron, which was interesting, because I did feel a bit anemic and thought about getting iron supplements, my blood pressure was very low she said (it is usually though) and without me saying anything about the iron, she prescribed it. I wonder if with the iodine and the heavy metal detox I lost some iron, and I never had a lot to begin with.

Wow! That is a huge difference. I'm glad your TSH is now in normal range. Is that your best TSH level so far? I remember you saying that you always had high TSH.

I don't have all my results from years back with me, but yes, it seems to be the lowest it's been. It was in 2001 that it was really high again, then went normal for many years. In 2013 it was 5.5, then went to 12 last year and now back to 2. I can attribute this recent drop in iodine, but I really have no clue what the reasons for the previous drops were.

The main thing I'm interested in is lowering my cortisol. From what I understand, the main way to do that is to chill out! Although cutting way back on carbs and sugar is also advised.

Started back on one drop 2% lugols. 2nd day today. So far so good.

You went through your own intense Valley of Death and it was very stressful, so it makes sense. Of what I know, rhodiola rosea helps reduce cortisol levels, there might be other herbs/supplements too that help the body learn to chill again. But it takes a little time, so hang in there.

Here's a couple of study summaries regarding Rhodiola:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20378318
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19016404

 

[Laura]

Alana, did you thoroughly re-mineralize after the metals detox? Like for several weeks after?

 

[Alana]

Alana, did you thoroughly re-mineralize after the metals detox? Like for several weeks after?

I did it for a couples of weeks, then I had the palpitations and stopped taking most everything. So, in short, no That's probably why I feel so tired, most of the minerals left my system. I can't believe I did not think of this as a reason

 

[Gaby]

Had some blood tests done recently and there were a few interesting things.

Red blood cell count was a bit on the low side: 4.47 (official normal range 4.5-5.8). This dropped from 4.81 last Dec. Not sure if that's a problem or not.

It might be related to the lowering of the transferrin saturation. There can be a lowering of these markers after EDTA or other chelations.

Transferrine saturation was 41% last Dec. dropped to 18% (official normal range 20-40%) I think the DSMA was the cause.

It will probably build up pretty soon. In case of "celtic curse" (iron overload), closer to 20% is better as it builds up over time.

Triglycerides at 1.12g/L (up from 0.70g/L)

Glycated Haemoglobin is on the higher side: 5.6% (should be lower than 6%).

For some researchers, ideally it should be less than 5.3. But usually it is only those who are eating a very low carb diet and who also have a good hormone balance that will have those numbers.

Cortisol still elevated. Last Dec it was 275 ug/L. That moved up to 282 ug/L (official normal at 9am is 45-225 ug/L). One year ago it was 199.

There is a protocol with phosphatidylserine to lower cortisol levels. It is here:

_http://www.livestrong.com/article/498027-phosphatidylserine-cortisol/

I didn't got my levels checked, but I tried it because I knew I had high cortisol in the evenings and low ones in the morning. Trying to reset the clock, I tried some phosphatidylserine. I think it worked. Shortly after that, I started the lugol as well. About that time, my energy levels were better in the mornings and I didn't had trouble falling asleep as before.

It is also the protocol that Horowitz suggests for his Lyme patients with high cortisol. He reports having positive results. That is when I decided to try it myself. Might be worth a try.

 

[Joe]

Thanks Gaby and Alana for the advice. I have some rhodiola and I'll check to see if we have some phosphatidylserine.

 

[annp]

There is a protocol with phosphatidylserine to lower cortisol levels. It is here:

_http://www.livestrong.com/article/498027-phosphatidylserine-cortisol/

I have recently been researching ways to lower cortisol as well. Julia Ross recommends using a different form of PS - phosphorylated serine, brand name Seriphos. (_https://www.moodcure.com/correcting_cortisol_levels.html). She did not mention in the article why, but I found this:

Seriphos - phosphorylated serine

Proprietary Blend: Phosphoserine and Ethanolamine 1,000 mg

Other ingredients: Gelatin.

This form of phosphatidyl serine is less expensive and more efficient in converting the stress hormone cortisol than regular PS. Phosphorylated Serine is a pure product and not derived from animal tissue. The serine is from vegetable sources and the phosphate is from a pure phosphate donor compound.

Regular PS (phosphatidylserine) acts as a precursor molecule and is not the active form of the nutrient. In the tissue, regular PS is linked to glyceroland, the appropriate fatty acids specific to each tissue, and is not linked to the fatty acids provided in PS. In short, fatty acids can oxidize in regular PS.

Seriphos, Phosphorylated Serine, is less expensive and does not oxidize. Absorption does not depend upon enzyme availability in the gastro-intestinal tract of the user as does PS.

Seriphos, like PS, stimulates neuronal plasticity, acting as a compensatory adaptive mechanism to cell deterioration, and is capable of preventing or delaying the age-dependent decline of neurotransmitter function.

Chronic stress, physical and mental, can desensitize the hypothalmic-Pituitary-Axis and elevate cortisol. Seriphos can help optimize the stress response, and repair the damage wrought by catabolic stress hormones. PS, when consumed in food provides only 20% of active phosphorylated serine. Each 100 mg of PS only yields 20mg of activated serine following consumption. The bulk of the weight is derived from two fatty acids, acting as a precursor molecule and is not the active form of the nutrient. Seriphos is more stable, economic, and a more active molecule than PS.

Seriphos can improve memory and sleep. Clinical studies show an improvement on both computerized and standard neuropsychological performance tests.

Has anyone had any experience using this other form?

 

[Fluffy]

I just got one of my two home made lugol's bottles out of the cupboard to refil my dropper bottle and the iodine had leaked through the greaseproof paper and stained the plastic lined metal lid.. :O
I checked the other bottle too, same thing :( this would have been from me shaking it.


Is it ruined.

I just checked and realised I used baking paper instead of waxed grease proof..
Oh no

 

[monotonic]

Yes, it is corrosive and staining. It will actually stain stuff nearby just with vapors. I dunno, whiskey bottle with lard around the stopper?

 

[Fluffy]

Yes, it is corrosive and staining. It will actually stain stuff nearby just with vapors. I dunno, whiskey bottle with lard around the stopper?

I meant the iodine.. It's it ruined?

 

[Fluffy]

Yes, it is corrosive and staining. It will actually stain stuff nearby just with vapors. I dunno, whiskey bottle with lard around the stopper?

I meant the iodine.. It's it ruined?

I sometimes spill a bit on the bench and remove it with some vit C powder, like I did just then, totally gone off the laminate.

 

[Fluffy]

I just got one of my two home made lugol's bottles out of the cupboard to refil my dropper bottle and the iodine had leaked through the greaseproof paper and stained the plastic lined metal lid.. :O
I checked the other bottle too, same thing :( this would have been from me shaking it.


Is it ruined.

I just checked and realised I used baking paper instead of waxed grease proof..
Oh no

I freaked out a little bit hastily..
I just did a few experiments with iodine and baking paper, it will take more than a few shakes for it to permeate through the paper to the lid, I haven't shaken it since I put in in the bottle so I guess it was just from the vapours

Yes, it is corrosive and staining. It will actually stain stuff nearby just with vapors. I dunno, whiskey bottle with lard around the stopper?

Phewee!!

Also did a taste test with it and some chemist bought stuff.. I'll swallow some in the morning to make sure sure!

Hello Fluffy, I managed to get 50 ml of Iodine tincture off the shelf at Blooms, it contains Iodine 25mg/mL, Potassium Iodide 25mg/mL and Ethanol.
I guess at the small doses required, the alcohol wouldn't affect you. (hic)

You are welcome to some of the stuff I have MusicMan and do a comparison to see if it's any different to the one with ethanol

 

[Chad]

Regarding the Phosphatidyl serine - which is the one i have, in powder form - and cortisol, i'm sure i found it only vaguely effective so i ended up just mixing it with other powders as an added extra. Going by what i've read about cortisol, and my history, i think mine is elevated, due to how it can effect my sleep but it's just a guess going off what i've read.

That said, i think i'll try a dose for the next few evenings and see if i feel any noticeable effect. Much of the worst issues i was experiencing have subsided so it may be that i notice it more now.

As for salt intake - just to note, i'm taking just under 2 teaspoons a day, split over: AM, before dinner (i read it helps with digestion so i take it about 30 minutes before) and then bedtime. As mentioned, much of my issues have subsided anyway, but i definitely feel like the increase helped with regular but comfortable urination, as well as general inflammation and histamine levels - but i'm just going off how i feel and any changes to my usual patterns.

It may be something as simple as it helps me feel a little more thirsty and that i'm intentionally drinking more water to compensate ~1.5L a day, where i was just under that before. I don't feel any negative side effects from taking more than the recommended 1/4 teaspoon doses but i mention it just in case.

In fact, if i feel a bit off, i usually take another dose and i think it helps. Particularly before i sleep. But i'm still experimenting, and as mentioned previously, i do spend time in the FIR sauna and do feel my body has needed a bit 'extra' at times. The salt seems to be part of that added extra.

 

[Alana]

Alana, did you thoroughly re-mineralize after the metals detox? Like for several weeks after?

I did it for a couples of weeks, then I had the palpitations and stopped taking most everything. So, in short, no That's probably why I feel so tired, most of the minerals left my system. I can't believe I did not think of this as a reason

So I went around and studied some more, because I had the impression that doing the chlorella/cilantro detox I wouldn't be losing a lot of the minerals. I can't find a real study that supports this belief though. Two other factors that I did not take into consideration either and are very important:

1) Even when using natural remedies for heavy metal detox, and even if these remedies don't chelate the good minerals as much as DMSA or EDTA do, it is still very important to supplement with minerals because a lot of them are involved in the detox process and they get spend this way too.

2) A couple of sides I was reading mentioned something I overlooked before regarding the cilantro/chlorella detox:

Cilantro is best used in conjunction with chlorella because it, “mobilizes more toxins then it can carry out of the body, it may flood the connective tissue (where the nerves reside) with metals, that were previously stored in safer hiding places.” This can cause retoxificaiton if another binding agent isn’t used to help rid the body of the heavy metals that are ‘found’ in their hiding places throughout the body.

People who have eaten large salads daily full of cilantro have experienced this effect – moodiness, terrible acne, joint pain and more. While they were mobilizing heavy metals, they weren’t all excreted from the body fast enough, which meant they were detoxing and toxifying themselves the same time!
[...]
As a final note, just be sure your magnesium levels are high before starting any serious chelation program, since this trace mineral helps to promote ‘relaxed’ arteries and can make elimination of toxins easier on the body.

http://naturalsociety.com/proper-heavy-metal-chelation-cilantro-chlorella/

And,

For some years now, the heavy metal formula described above [chlorella/cilantro] has been extremely popular. And why not? It’s clinically tested and people love the results. Anecdotally, we’ve seen a steady stream of testimonials. Nevertheless, through the years, there have been two recurring problems experienced by a small percentage of people.

Some people complained of getting slightly “spacey” while using the formula.

And some people who relied on urine provocation testing to determine how well the formula worked for them would freak out when they saw higher numbers after using the formula—even though that would be expected and was a sign that metals were actually pulled out of the soft tissue and clearing the body.

As it turns out, these problems are related. What’s happening is that the cilantro is unbinding and freeing up the heavy metals—particularly mercury—faster than the chlorella can escort it from the body. Eventually, the chlorella catches up, but until then, the temporarily higher levels of metals in the blood can make you feel a bit woozy. Also, this lag time will cause the numbers seen in provocation testing to remain higher for longer periods of time.

So, the question arose, was there any way to enhance the formula that could help at least mitigate these problems, understanding that they can never be totally eliminated since they are inherent in the detox process?

From http://jonbarron.org/detoxing-full-body-detox/clinically-proven-oral-chelation#.Vx3j3zB96M8

and they go on to say that adding humic/fulvic acid in the cilantro/chlorella formula has improved the detox process for most people. It's really a good article and interesting, go to the link to read the whole thing.

But anyway, what I am trying to do is stress the fact that remineralization is extremely important no matter what chelation/detox therapy one undertakes, and it's better to do it slowly so that the body does not get re-toxified in the process (like a bunch of other people mentioned in this thread a few times already ).

So I started remineralizing, and hopefully I'll feel as good as new soon. I am also taking the homeopathic remedies, and if nothing else, at least I feel a bit less anxiety.