Iodine and Potassium Iodide

[worldbridger]

My recent blood tests and x-rays: the blood tests didn't show anything significant according to my doctor, just slight hypoalbuminemia (3.4 g/dL).

Albumin, the body's predominant serum-binding protein, has several important functions.

Albumin comprises 75-80% of normal plasma colloid oncotic pressure and 50% of protein content. When plasma proteins, especially albumin, no longer sustain sufficient colloid osmotic pressure to counterbalance hydrostatic pressure, edema develops.

Albumin transports various substances, including bilirubin, fatty acids, metals, ions, hormones, and exogenous drugs. One consequence of hypoalbuminemia is that drugs that are usually protein bound are free in the plasma, allowing for higher drug levels, more rapid hepatic metabolism, or both.

Alterations in albumin level affect platelet function.

Reference serum values range from 3.5-4.5 g/dL, with a total body content of 300-500 g. Synthesis occurs only in hepatic cells at a rate of approximately 15 g/d in a healthy person, but the rate can vary significantly with various types of physiologic stress. The half-life of albumin is approximately 21 days, with a degradation rate of approximately 4% per day.

Hypoalbuminemia is a common problem among persons with acute and chronic medical conditions. At the time of hospital admission, 20% of patients have hypoalbuminemia. Hypoalbuminemia can be caused by various conditions, including nephrotic syndrome, hepatic cirrhosis, heart failure, and malnutrition; however, most cases of hypoalbuminemia are caused by acute and chronic inflammatory responses.

Serum albumin level is an important prognostic indicator. Among hospitalized patients, lower serum albumin levels correlate with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality.

There was something else, but I need help with that one: Erc(B)-MCV=101 (Ref: 82-98).

But according to the tests I'm heathy as a horse.

X-rays: Normal x-ray with barium sulfate: Everything looked normal, hypopharynx and esophagus, BUT I had a extremely dilated ventricle (I had to look it up, left side of my stomach I think) that stretches far down to the pelvis! I said: "What? Seriously?"

That's probably why I got a new appointment just 2 days after and this time they used computer tomography....showing no such thing.

I didn't know that part of my stomach could travel that far down. It's funny, one x-ray shows something abnormal, the next show no such thing (didn't have to swallow anything 2nd time), and then everything is just fine, move along.

Doctors conclusion: "It's nothing wrong with you, it's just a muscular thing". Seems like he wants me to forget it.

They will do a gastroscopy next week, so we'll see.

Still don't know the reason for my pain/fatigue/breathing problems, but there are some dots: problems with breathing/jugular vein/funny heart shape/slight hip problem at birth. The connection between problems in my (mostly left) solar plexus area and back/neck pain/breathing is, I believe, kind of obvious. The dilated ventricle thing is maybe part of that or a consequence.

But still, what is the cause of my problems and how do I fix it?

Same old same old....

 

[Gaby]

X-rays: Normal x-ray with barium sulfate: Everything looked normal, hypopharynx and esophagus, BUT I had a extremely dilated ventricle (I had to look it up, left side of my stomach I think) that stretches far down to the pelvis! I said: "What? Seriously?"

And it went back to normal in the next test? That is a stomach with some stretching ability!

The MVC refers to the size of your red blood cells. They're a teensy bit bigger than normal (macrocytosis), which could be due to lack of B complex vitamins (B12 and folate). It could be due to a lack of absorption in the stomach. Taking them sublingual would help, or having B12 injections.

 

[worldbridger]

X-rays: Normal x-ray with barium sulfate: Everything looked normal, hypopharynx and esophagus, BUT I had a extremely dilated ventricle (I had to look it up, left side of my stomach I think) that stretches far down to the pelvis! I said: "What? Seriously?"

And it went back to normal in the next test? That is a stomach with some stretching ability!

The MVC refers to the size of your red blood cells. They're a teensy bit bigger than normal (macrocytosis), which could be due to lack of B complex vitamins (B12 and folate). It could be due to a lack of absorption in the stomach. Taking them sublingual would help, or having B12 injections.

I agree, I didn't know that it was even physically possible! How weird is that on a weird scale? I mean it's like an elevator shaft.

I don't buy the "just muscular" answer, too many coincidences with my background and current problems, but I don't have an answer myself.

I've been taking methyl B-complex the last 2 years, so maybe sublingual would do a better job.

Thanks Gaby.

 

[John G]

Hi, my wife is making an appointment to talk to our doctor about whether her pulse is too low for some reason. Before she lost about 60 lbs (on a ketogenic diet that was doctor monitored for the first six weeks), her pulse was in the 70s. She had noticed at the health club that she had got into the 60s but last week she had a checkup for her throat (she's on Nexium) and they measured her pulse in the low 50s and it's been mostly in the 50s at home also when we checked (a couple high 40s and 60s).

She has been for many years on the lowest dose (25 mcg) synthroid and she gets her thyroid checked yearly (it was fine in June though I'm not sure what they check exactly). We've been on Iodine for 10 and a half months, gradually going from 1 to 6 drops of the 2 percent thus we are at 15 mg and have been there for 6 or so months I think. She has 200 mcg Selenium and most of the trace minerals along with real salt, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, multivitamin, NAC, and milk thistle. She's backing off from her 1200 mg potassium, one thing she takes that I don't (for muscle cramps). I'm thinking maybe we should back my wife off of iodine too but I don't know whether to do that all at once or gradually.

The low calorie (about 750) ketogenic diet started about a year ago and the health club started about 6 months ago could be lowering the heart rate too maybe but 50s seem quite low. She had an IUD for overly heavy periods put in a few years ago so it could be a bit of a complex hormone/electrolyte situation. She occasionally gets light headed at the health club (mostly coming off the tread mill) but then so do I if I overdo it (the weights for me).

 

[Gaby]

The low calorie (about 750) ketogenic diet started about a year ago and the health club started about 6 months ago could be lowering the heart rate too maybe but 50s seem quite low. She had an IUD for overly heavy periods put in a few years ago so it could be a bit of a complex hormone/electrolyte situation. She occasionally gets light headed at the health club (mostly coming off the tread mill) but then so do I if I overdo it (the weights for me).

It might be the case that the exercises at the health club contributed to the lower heart rate. It could be as low as 40 in some cases. Nevertheless, it shouldn't hurt to have a general check-up. Perhaps with the diet and all the other complementary supplements + iodine, the IVD might not be needed anymore. If she could get off from it, that would be good.

Maybe she needs more salted water. If she is doing a lot of exercise and getting dizzy after coming off the tread mill, she could be low in blood pressure as well.

When docs check the thyroid, they usually check for TSH and T4, the thyroid hormones.

 

[John G]

It might be the case that the exercises at the health club contributed to the lower heart rate. It could be as low as 40 in some cases. Nevertheless, it shouldn't hurt to have a general check-up. Perhaps with the diet and all the other complementary supplements + iodine, the IVD might not be needed anymore. If she could get off from it, that would be good.

Maybe she needs more salted water. If she is doing a lot of exercise and getting dizzy after coming off the tread mill, she could be low in blood pressure as well.

When docs check the thyroid, they usually check for TSH and T4, the thyroid hormones.

Thanks, yeah her blood pressure was 120/70s before dieting and has been high 90s over 60s occasionally lately; mostly 110s and occasionally up to her previous normal 120. One typo I made is that we've been going to the health club for a year and six months not six months and she's definitely upped what she does over time more than I have. Neither of us is doing anything really strenuous though we are in our 50s so what's strenuous is different than when we were in our 30s. My wife has her appointment on Thursday. I mentioned the more salt idea to her.

 

[SeekinTruth]

Not sure, but is a 750 daily calories diet too low to be on for about a year? Also, being on even 15 mg of iodine a day would probably raise the the calorie requirement a little (higher doses would do so more).

 

[John G]

Not sure, but is a 750 daily calories diet too low to be on for about a year? Also, being on even 15 mg of iodine a day would probably raise the the calorie requirement a little (higher doses would do so more).

The problem is she gains weight with anything over a 1000 calories. She was at 300 before the diet and is now at 240 (she's 5'4") after almost 11 months. She goes off it occasionally and gains back up to 10 pounds, most of it probably water weight since 3 or 4 pounds comes off the first few days back on the strict diet. The diet is this one:

http://dietofhope.org/our-program

 

[dugdeep]

Hi, my wife is making an appointment to talk to our doctor about whether her pulse is too low for some reason. Before she lost about 60 lbs (on a ketogenic diet that was doctor monitored for the first six weeks), her pulse was in the 70s. She had noticed at the health club that she had got into the 60s but last week she had a checkup for her throat (she's on Nexium) and they measured her pulse in the low 50s and it's been mostly in the 50s at home also when we checked (a couple high 40s and 60s).

She has been for many years on the lowest dose (25 mcg) synthroid and she gets her thyroid checked yearly (it was fine in June though I'm not sure what they check exactly). We've been on Iodine for 10 and a half months, gradually going from 1 to 6 drops of the 2 percent thus we are at 15 mg and have been there for 6 or so months I think. She has 200 mcg Selenium and most of the trace minerals along with real salt, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, multivitamin, NAC, and milk thistle. She's backing off from her 1200 mg potassium, one thing she takes that I don't (for muscle cramps). I'm thinking maybe we should back my wife off of iodine too but I don't know whether to do that all at once or gradually.

The low calorie (about 750) ketogenic diet started about a year ago and the health club started about 6 months ago could be lowering the heart rate too maybe but 50s seem quite low. She had an IUD for overly heavy periods put in a few years ago so it could be a bit of a complex hormone/electrolyte situation. She occasionally gets light headed at the health club (mostly coming off the tread mill) but then so do I if I overdo it (the weights for me).

1200mg of supplemented potassium is pretty darn high. Excess potassium can cause irregularities in heart rhythm, too, so dropping her dosage, as you said, might be something to try.

 

[John G]

1200mg of supplemented potassium is pretty darn high. Excess potassium can cause irregularities in heart rhythm, too, so dropping her dosage, as you said, might be something to try.

Yeah potassium looks like a possible problem but I'm not sure in what way actually. Low calorie ketogenic diet, Nexium which my wife takes, and corisone shots which my wife got for her knee all can lower the potassium.

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/potassium-slow-heart-rate-10593.html

Low Potassium Levels
Too little potassium in your system is called hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can be caused by insufficient nutrition, often because of an eating disorder such as bulimia and anorexia, according to MedlinePlus. Other causes of hypokalemia include excessive diarrhea or vomiting, kidney disease, low magnesium levels and excess sweating. As well, antibiotics and laxatives can also cause potassium levels to dip. While a mild potassium deficiency usually does not result in symptoms, some mild symptoms of hypokalemia include an irregular heart rate or skipped heart beats, tiredness, muscle fatigue and spasms, a tingling sensation in your extremities and constipation.
High Potassium Levels
Excess potassium in your system can also lead to health complications. Called hyperkalemia, high potassium levels usually do not result in obvious symptoms, although, in some cases, you may experience nausea or a slowed, irregular pulse and heart rate. In extreme cases, your heart rate may slow down enough that it results in a sudden collapse. Excess potassium levels are usually caused by severe burns, substance abuse that results in damaged muscles, burst blood cells, tumors, as well as severe bleeding in your digestive system, states the University of Maryland Medical Center.

My wife does still stop leg exercises when she feels like a cramp is about to happen and she did mention tingly recently which is all low potassium stuff but high seems more directly a slow heart rate though I guess skipped beats would look that way too. We are seeing a Cardiologist on Monday that our doctor recommended. Not sure I'll be good for that. My wife is the one with the issue and I was the one who got light headed and had to bend over to avoid fainting. My wife had to say I was just having an anxiety reaction to all the cardiology talk. I once years ago almost fainted while giving blood and haven't done that since. Hopefully they check all the electrolytes/hormones and the EKG gives some clues.

 

[John G]

On the other hand it looks like people on a low calorie diet for an extended amount of time can end up with a sinus rhythm low heart rate and the nurse looking at the EKG after my wife's throat checking procedure (heartburn problems with the throat cells, the reason she is on Nexium) did say it looked normal even though the rate was low.

 

[Divide by Zero]

Nexium might exacerbate the heartburn and there are other side effects to using it regularly.
Just be careful to not go quickly off of it because the stomach may overproduce acid in readjusting.


http://www.maryvancenc.com/why-antacids-are-not-the-solution-for-reflux/

Conventional medicine has a knack for treating the symptoms without uncovering the underlying cause of what causes the reflux. In cases of chronic heartburn, it’s actually LOW stomach acid, not too much stomach acid, believe it or not.

Your stomach acid should be around a PH of 2, incredibly acidic, so that it can break down food into a liquid (chyme) that travels to the small intestine and then the large intestine, where nutrients are absorbed and waste travels onward and outward to be excreted. If your stomach acid is at a higher PH, more alkaline, food cannot be properly broken down, and any pathogens, bacteria, or anything else that might be possibly contaminating your food won’t be killed. When food is not properly broken down, it sits in the stomach and ferments/putrefies, giving off gases and causing a burning sensation in the stomach and/or throat. This is reflux. It also travels out the other end, causing gas and bloating.

If you have chronic heartburn, GERD, or ulcers, chances are very good that you have h pylori, a nasty bacteria that causes ulcers, gastritis, and systemic inflammation that can lead to cancer and heart disease. The 2005 Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded to 2 scientists for “the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.”

Antacids make the heartburn worse because they lower stomach acid further, making it easier for h pylori to thrive and making it harder for you to digest food. That’s why reflux worsens over time. No purple pill will kill h pylori – it will only exacerbate it over time.

http://livegracefully.com/antacids-purple-pill-make-heartburn-worse/

The real cause for the burn

When stomach acid levels are low, your digestive system conserves energy by relaxing the flap. This allows stomach acids to seep through. Low stomach acids also cause another problem.

With less acid, food sits in your gut longer, then starts to ferment. Much like trash rotting in a bin.

As the food ferments, it creates gas. The gas pushes up against your esophageal sphincter. This weakens the flap further, making it easier for stomach acid to flow up your esophagus.

That’s how low stomach acid causes heartburn, and eventually GERD.

As you can imagine, if the problem starts with low acid, taking remedies that lower your acid further will only make your problems worse.

 

[Gaby]

Nexium might exacerbate the heartburn and there are other side effects to using it regularly.
Just be careful to not go quickly off of it because the stomach may overproduce acid in readjusting.

Those drugs are really bad news:

Proton Pump Inhibitors: So dangerous that prescriptions border on being criminal
https://www.sott.net/article/320501-Proton-Pump-Inhibitors-So-dangerous-that-prescriptions-border-on-being-criminal

 

[A Jay]

The heart rate naturally lowers with exercise thanks to improved metabolic efficiency, and I've also heard of people's heart rates being in the low 40s. But a check up is a good idea to make sure there's not something else going on.

What is also implicated in muscle cramps and spasms along with potassium is magnesium, sodium, and dehydration. So what might help with the cramping is drinking some Real Salt water before exercise with plenty of water during exercise.

As for the weight gain after upping the calories, that's pretty normal after coming off of a caloric restricted diet. The body adapts to the lower caloric consumption by down regulating a lot of different processes, and so once an excess is encountered the body wants to immediately shuttle it into the fat cells because it thinks it's in a famine and is trying to preserve itself. It can take up to a few weeks for the body to adapt to a higher caloric intake, and some of the initial weight gain can be just water as you suspected.

Hope this helps!

 

[Konstantin]

The heart rate naturally lowers with exercise thanks to improved metabolic efficiency, and I've also heard of people's heart rates being in the low 40s. But a check up is a good idea to make sure there's not something else going on.

What is also implicated in muscle cramps and spasms along with potassium is magnesium, sodium, and dehydration. So what might help with the cramping is drinking some Real Salt water before exercise with plenty of water during exercise.

As for the weight gain after upping the calories, that's pretty normal after coming off of a caloric restricted diet. The body adapts to the lower caloric consumption by down regulating a lot of different processes, and so once an excess is encountered the body wants to immediately shuttle it into the fat cells because it thinks it's in a famine and is trying to preserve itself. It can take up to a few weeks for the body to adapt to a higher caloric intake, and some of the initial weight gain can be just water as you suspected.

Hope this helps!

I also noticed that my heart rate is slightly increased since I started on Iodine. I`m exercising regularly for the last 12 years and a few years ago when I years in my top form my rest heart rate was about 55 bpm. When I started with iodine it increased up to 70-75 bpm. Maybe it's because iodine make the thyroid work better and the thyroid increased the heart beats. Or maybe I`m not in such a good shape anymore :)