I do wish that this blog had interesting posts on it on a regular basis. But since I'm the one writing it, that just ain't gonna happen.
There's controversies ranging all around right now and I'm getting a bit weary of it all.
Here's one you probably haven't run into this week.
Iodine!
Wow is the war ever raging on this one, at least on my support group anyway.
A few days a guy posted that he was CURED of his Graves, and it involved megadoses of iodine, probably for the rest of his life.
The first response that that was "that's crap!" (Graves people can get a little feisty)
It not a flame war (yet), but the posts are flying with articles in defense of both sides.
Iodine side says that iodine intake has been declining in the US and that we are all deficient (80% according to some sites) Painting yourself with iodine solution and seeing how fast it takes to disappear is the "test" to see if you are deficient. Some people use painting as a way to supplement iodine, others take 10x the RDA. The people taking it say they are doing MUCH better.
Avoid iodine side says iodine is very dangerous for Graves. That to be hyper, your body has to have sufficient iodine already, since that's what thyroid hormone is made up of. No iodine = no hormone. Other people may need more iodine, but people with thyroid antibodies need to avoid it carefully as it can increase the antibodies, or at high levels cause long term hypothyroid from overwhelming the gland. Iodized salt introduction increased the incidence of Graves. Presence of iodine has also increased astronomically in recent years due to seaweed in animal feed and fertilizer, as well as the use of carrageen (kelp) as a thickener in so many products.
This is only the briefest of summaries that goes on and on with many articles and studies on both sides. The iodine ones tend to be decades old and are not specific to Graves. The avoid iodine ones are specific to Graves, but also related to the school of thought that says radioactive iodine is the treatment of choice.
Who's right and who's wrong?
Is iodine dangerous or the cure all?
Is there anyway to sort it all out and tell for sure?
4 comments:
Didn't the government turn iodine into a controlled substance about a year ago?
Probably, that would explain why all the supplements are SO expensive.
i'm no expert, but doesn't radioactive iodine kill your thyroid, thus preventing any chance of cure? so how trustworthy are they if they think that is the best treatment? cut off your foot so it doesn't hurt anymore? just being rhetorical. unless i'm wrong.
Yes, radioactive iodine kills the thyroid, and prevents any chance of a future cure. I think that's nuts myself.
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