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Abraham
The historical background of the iodine project.
Abraham GE
The Original Internist, 12(2):57-66, 2005
"Three years ago, the author decided to set up the iodide assay in situ, using the ion-selective electrode procedure. To improve specificity, chromatography separation of the halides was performed on anion-exchange resins. Halides and other substances interfered in the assay of iodide (Table II). One full year was required to optimize the assay for iodide. In January 2003, Dr. Flechas and John C. Hakala were invited as guests of Optimox Corporation to attend a two-day workshop in order to learn this technology. Dr. Flechas quickly learned this procedure and set it up in his own clinical laboratory. At first, the loading test was performed on his patients only and eventually, he made this service available to other clinicians."
"The chromatographic system was modified in order to measure accurately the other halides: chloride, fluoride and bromide, using a positive displacement manifold designed by the author."
The saliva/serum iodide ratio as an index of sodium/iodide symporter efficiency.
Abraham, G.E., Brownstein, D., Flechas, J.D.,
The Original Internist, 12(4): 152-156, 2005.
"A simple test to assess the efficiency of the iodide cellular transport system is greatly needed in order to quantify the degree of defect/damage/inhibition of that system in patients with decreased efficiency of the iodide transport system. The saliva radioiodide/serum radioiodide ratio is used in neonates with elevated TSH and low thyroid hormones in order to confirm a congenital iodide symporter defect. The procedure involved injecting radioactive iodide in the neonate and measuring the ratio of radioactivity between saliva and serum. According to Viljder and Vulsma, a ratio above 10 is considered normal; between 3 and 10, borderline; and below 3 is considered abnormal....
"Measurement of stable iodide in serum and saliva under standardized conditions seems the ideal procedure for fine tuning the assessment of the iodide transport efficiency, and it is the least invasive way to assess response of the symporter function following intervention. This approach would obviate the need to expose the patient to radioactive iodide. A ratio near unity would indicate a severe defect/damage/inhibition of the symporter function. An increase in the ratio following intervention would reflect an improvement in the symporter function. The data presented in this preliminary communication suggest that the saliva/serum iodide ratio, using a stable iodide load, may be of value in assessing iodide transport efficiency prior to and following nutritional intervention."