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William Shevin, MD, DHt

Iodine Deficiency

Shevin W

[Click on "Topics in Health & Disease", then click on "Iodine".]

“As of this date (10/14/2006), of the 106 patients I've been able to evaluate after at least 6-8 weeks of supplementation at full doses, 76 (69.72%) are unequivocally improved, another 21 feel better but I can't be sure that it is solely due to iodine, 9 have not noticed any change, and 3 patients were affected negatively and dropped out of treatment (from, I believe, toxicity of bromine and/or heavy metals, as these patients had pre-existing multiple chemical sensitivities).

”Those who feel improved commonly report improvements in energy, mood, and clarity of mind. Other changes are improved thyroid function, improvement in premenstrual syndromes, menopausal syndromes, fibrocystic breast disease, fibromyalgia, male sexual function, and improved (more easily managed) stress reactions.

”Obviously, these results are very gratifying. There are some problematic issues, however.

-- I have found 8 possible cases of thyroid cancer in this group of patients. Thyroid cancer is known to be more common in the presence of iodine deficiency. For this reason, and also to detect multinodular goiter, which can (slightly) predispose to mild (and transient) hyper- or hypothyroidism while on iodine replacement therapy, ultrasound of the thyroid is usually recommended.

-- bromine is an element close to iodine (in a chemical sense), and which is ubiquitous in our environment. Dietary sources include soft drinks like Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, and other citrus-flavored soft drinks (some Gatorade products), vegetables contaminated by the use of methyl bromide used as a fumigant in agriculture, and seaweeds (which, however, also containing iodine and large amounts of salt, are not problematic). Environmental sources include methyl bromides from the burning of unleaded gasoline (reduced now, but still very problematic) but mostly from the use of bromine in flame retardants, which are used in clothing, mattresses, building materials, airplane (and presumably automobile) construction, furniture construction, etc.  

Bromine interferes with iodine biochemistry, and is toxic in its own right (psychological symptoms include disinhibition, self-neglect, fatigue, difficulty with memory and concentration, irritability, emotional instability, and depression).  

Iodine supplementation causes bromine to be released from within the tissues of the body, into the bloodstream, and if this happens rapidly and in sufficient quantities, produces toxic symptoms. This is treated with salt (the chloride ion flushes the bromine into the urine) and may necessitate the reduction of the iodine dosage. 

Coping with bromine issues has occurred in approximately 10% - 15% of patients.

-- fluorine, mercury, lead, and cadmium in the body are also potential sources of difficulty, although evidently much less commonly than bromine.

-- another issue relates to the maintenance of iodine stores once iodine levels have been replenished. The Japanese ingest approximately 12.5 mg of Iodine in their diets, primarily from kelp (see publication #2 and 5 on the Optimox website). Unfortunately, seaweeds concentrate heavy metals from polluted seawater, and so the source of the seaweed is a critical issue. The inhabitants of Iceland, who grind up the unused parts of fish into meal which is in turn fed to cows, who then secrete large amounts of iodine into milk, consume milk as an important part of their diet….

”I think that it is only fair to say that the issue of iodine sufficiency in the doses being recommended by Dr. Abraham and the other physicians using his recommendations is outside the conventional teaching of the medical community.”

Bromide Lecture by Dr Shevin

Participant comments from Iodine Conference

This is the Salt Loading Protocol [to clear bromide symptoms]   he presented at the conference:

• 1/4 teaspoon salt in 1/2 cup warm water and follow with 12-16 oz water.

• Repeat in 30-45 minutes X 2 until copious urination begins.

• Observe subjective response (usually within several hours).

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  Copyright: Zoe, 2006.