Vitamins and mineralsIodine and the thyroid — what aren’t patients told?
Sources: 9 · Article: 11 006 characters
Jerzy Jaśkowski warns that iodine should not be given without a medical indication or outside the appropriate window in the event of a radioactive threat.
- Iodine is involved in the production of thyroid hormones, and Jerzy Zięba says iodine supplementation should be combined with an adequate intake of selenium.
- Jerzy Jaśkowski points out that iodine deficiency can cause symptoms similar to hypothyroidism and asks why iodine levels are not tested.
- Jerzy Jaśkowski describes giving iodine to children after the Chernobyl disaster as a mistake because, he says, in Łódź it was given a month later.
What the authors write
Jerzy Jaśkowski
Iodine deficiency can cause symptoms similar to hypothyroidism.
„This diagnosis is being made increasingly often and more quickly, but whether rightly so is questionable, because the same symptoms as those of hypothyroidism can also occur with deficiencies of iron, selenium, vitamin D, and iodine. It is surprising that our endocrinologists, citing supposedly binding National Health Fund (NFZ) procedures, do not order these basic tests for people suspected of having the condition.”Jest to coraz częściej i szybciej stawiana diagnoza, czy słusznie – kwestia wątpliwa, ponieważ te same objawy, jakie są przy niedoczynności tarczycy, występują też przy niedoborze żelaza, selenu, witaminy D i jodu. Zdziwienie budzi to, że nasi endokrynolodzy, zasłaniając się rzekomo procedurami NFZ, nie zlecają tych podstawowych badań osobom podejrzanym o chorobę.
Jerzy Jaśkowski
Jerzy Jaśkowski asks why tests of iodine levels are not ordered when these symptoms are present.
„If it is known that the same symptoms occur with the deficiencies listed above, why aren’t tests—for example, of iodine levels—performed? People used to say that salt was iodized to combat iodine deficiency, but this cannot be true, since, for example, there is enough iodine on the coast.”Jeżeli wiadomo, że te same objawy występują przy wyżej wymienionych niedoborach to dlaczego nie wykonuje się badań np. poziomu jodu? Mówiono kiedyś, że sól jest jodowana w ramach walki z niedoborem jodu, ale nie może być to prawdą, bo np. na wybrzeżu jest wystarczająca ilość jodu.
Henryk Różański
Iodine binds to tyrosine, and further reactions lead to the formation of the hormones T3 and T4.
„One iodine atom binds to one tyrosine molecule, forming monoiodotyrosine (MIT). When it binds two iodine atoms, it becomes diiodotyrosine (DIT). Peroxidase is responsible for the intramolecular rearrangement of thyroglobulin’s structure, during which thyroxine (tetraiodothyronine) is formed from two molecules of diiodotyrosine.”Jeden atom jodu wiąże się z jedną cząsteczką tyrozyny, dając monojodotyrozynę (MIT). Gdy zwiąże dwa atomy jodu przekształca się w dijodotyrozynę (DIT). Peroksydaza odpowiedzialna jest za wewnątrzcząsteczkową przebudowę struktury tyreoglobuliny, podczas której z dwóch cząsteczek dijotyrozyny powstaje tyroksyna (tetrajodotyronina).
Jerzy Zięba
Iodine supplementation should be combined with an adequate intake of selenium.
„Thanks to selenium, excess iodine is continually removed, so the thyroid is not damaged by its normal activity. Iodine supplementation increases the availability of the raw material for hormone production, so it must go hand in hand with an adequate intake of selenium.”Dzięki selenowi nadmiar tego związku jest na bieżąco usuwany, tarczyca nie ulega zatem uszkodzeniu w wyniku swojej fizjologicznej aktywności. Suplementacja jodem zwiększa dostępność substratu do produkcji hormonów, z tego powodu musi iść w parze z dostateczną podażą selenu.
Jerzy Jaśkowski
Jerzy Jaśkowski says iodine may be used only during a specific period before a radioactive cloud arrives or shortly after it passes.
„Iodine may be given only 24 hours before a radioactive cloud arrives and no later than 12 hours after it arrives. Giving it earlier or later is harmful. In Łódź, however, it was given a month later, so the children were being poisoned.
The WHO says iodine may be given when the expected radiation dose is at least”Jod wolno podać jedynie 24 godziny przed nadejściem chmury radioaktywnej i najpóźniej 12 godzin po jej przyjściu. Wcześniej i później jest to szkodliwe. A w Łodzi dawano go miesiąc po, czyli truto dzieci.
WHO twierdzi, że jod wolno podać, gdy spodziewana dawka promieniowania będzie wynosiła min.
Jerzy Jaśkowski
Jerzy Jaśkowski considers giving iodine in Łódź a month after the disaster harmful to children.
„In Łódź, however, it was given a month later, so the children were being poisoned.
The WHO says iodine may be given when the expected radiation dose is at least 25 rem. According to Polish reports, the dose was 500 milligrams. The American Thyroid Association, in turn, says iodine may be given preventively only when the expected dose is at least”A w Łodzi dawano go miesiąc po, czyli truto dzieci.
WHO twierdzi, że jod wolno podać, gdy spodziewana dawka promieniowania będzie wynosiła min. 25 remów. Wg polskich raportów dawka wynosiła 500 miligramów. Amerykańskie Stowarzyszenie Chorób Tarczycy twierdzi z kolei, że jod wolno podać profi laktycznie dopiero wtedy, gdy spodziewana dawka będzie wynosiła min.
Jerzy Jaśkowski
Jerzy Jaśkowski says that different dose thresholds were given in recommendations for iodine to prevent the effects of radiation.
„The WHO says iodine may be given when the expected radiation dose is at least 25 rem. According to Polish reports, the dose was 500 milligrams. The American Thyroid Association, in turn, says iodine may be given preventively only when the expected dose is at least 50 rem, or 100 times higher than the dose recorded in Poland.”WHO twierdzi, że jod wolno podać, gdy spodziewana dawka promieniowania będzie wynosiła min. 25 remów. Wg polskich raportów dawka wynosiła 500 miligramów. Amerykańskie Stowarzyszenie Chorób Tarczycy twierdzi z kolei, że jod wolno podać profi laktycznie dopiero wtedy, gdy spodziewana dawka będzie wynosiła min. 50 remów, czyli będzie 100 razy większa niż to, co było notowane w Polsce.
Jerzy Jaśkowski
Jerzy Jaśkowski disputes the claim that iodized salt solves the problem of iodine deficiency and points out that there is enough iodine on the coast.
„People used to say that salt was iodized to combat iodine deficiency, but this cannot be true, since, for example, there is enough iodine on the coast. Taking Euthyrox unnecessarily causes irreversible effects. Our bodies have feedback receptors, and if these receptors detect that the hormone level is adequate—as ensured by the tablets—they stop production. The patient then has to take medication for the rest of their life because the organ stops producing what it should.”Mówiono kiedyś, że sól jest jodowana w ramach walki z niedoborem jodu, ale nie może być to prawdą, bo np. na wybrzeżu jest wystarczająca ilość jodu. Niepotrzebne zażywanie Euthyroksu powoduje nieodwracalne skutki. W naszym organizmie występują receptory sprzężenia zwrotnego i jeśli te receptory stwierdzą, że jest odpowiedni poziom hormonu (który jest zapewniany przez tabletki) to zaprzestają produkcji i wtedy chory do końca życia musi brać leki, bo narząd przestaje produkować to, co powinien.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 23 570.
Excess iodine can lead to either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism in some people.
Aim of the study: Several mechanisms are involved in maintaining normal thyroid hormone secretion, even when iodine intake exceeds physiological needs by a factor of 100. The sodium-iodide symporter system contributes most to this stability.
Results: These goitres may contain nodules with a somatic mutation that causes constitutive activation of the TSH receptor. No longer under pituitary control, these nodules overproduce thyroid hormone and cause iodine-induced hyperthyroidism when they are exposed to sufficient iodine. These autonomous nodules gradually disappear from the population after iodine deficiency has been properly corrected. More recent studies suggest that chronically high iodine intake promotes classical thyroid autoimmunity (hypothyroidism and thyroiditis), and that iodine-induced hyperthyroidism may also have an autoimmune cause.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The effects of excess iodine depend on thyroid health and iodine intake. Some people may develop hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Aim of the study: Iodine is a raw material for thyroid hormone production, which is primarily controlled externally by TSH. The thyroid adapts to iodine deficiency by increasing iodine uptake from the circulation, enhancing the iodination of tyrosine residues in thyroglobulin, reducing iodine storage while improving the recycling of non-hormonal iodine, and enlarging the thyroid to increase its capacity to produce hormones.
Results: The effects of excess iodine on thyroid function vary depending on the underlying thyroid disorder and the usual iodine intake. Most people remain euthyroid through autoregulation mechanisms based on inhibition of thyroid hormone synthesis and a decrease in the thyroid’s iodine uptake. Euthyroid individuals who live in areas with high iodine intake, or who have a history of lymphocytic thyroiditis, treated Graves’ disease, or subtotal thyroidectomy, may develop hypothyroidism. On the other hand, iodine-induced hyperthyroidism is more common in areas with iodine deficiency and in older patients with nodular goitre.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In people who are predisposed, increased iodine intake may worsen thyroid autoimmunity.
Aim of the study: The mechanisms that lead to autoimmune thyroid disease involve several different factors. The resulting immune response is linked both to genetic predisposition and to other factors, such as iodine intake, which is a very important modulator of thyroid autoimmunity.
Results: Further research is needed to determine whether findings from experimental animal studies can be generalised to humans. Epidemiological data from countries with sufficient or high dietary iodine intake clearly show that, compared with countries with iodine deficiency, the incidence of autoimmune thyroid disease increases and the pattern of disease changes—for example, in the proportions of autoimmune thyroiditis and hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease. At the same time, thyroid diseases related to iodine deficiency decrease significantly, as expected with a continuously higher iodine intake.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„So, yes, monoatomic iodine I* exists in human bodies, and it reacts directly with tyrosine. But no, it would not be healthy to consume iodine free radicals, because their high reactivity would prevent them from being transported safely throughout the body. In the mid-1930s, the thyroid hormone thyroxine became available on the market. This was a blessing for people whose thyroids had been damaged. Unfortunately, doctors started prescribing this hormone to almost anyone with hypothyroidism, thinking that they could control thyroid hormone levels better than our bodies can.”So, yes, monoatomic iodine I* exists in human bodies, and it directly reacts with tyrosine, but no, it wouldn't be healthy to consume iodine free radicals as their high reactivity would prevent safe transport throughout the body. In the mid 1930's the thyroid hormone thyroxine became available on the market. This was a blessing for people who had damaged their thyroid. Unfortunately, doctors started to prescribe this hormone to just about anybody with hypothyroidism, thinking that they can control better thyroid hormone levels than our bodies can.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Iodine for thyroid & health. Brownstein D. (2008) Overcoming Thyroid Disorders. Medical Alternatives Press. 13. Buist S. Iodine Conference Lecture. Hoffer A, Saul AW. (2015) Niacin: The Real Story: Learn about the Wonderful Healing Properties of Niacin. Basic Health Pubs. ISBN-13: 978-1591202752. 15. Flechas JG. Boron and medical health. 16. Schrauzer G.”Iodine for thyroid & health. Brownstein D. (2008) Overcoming Thyroid Disorders. Medical Alternatives Press. 13. Buist S. Iodine Conference Lecture. Hoffer A, Saul AW. (2015) Niacin: The Real Story: Learn about the Wonderful Healing Properties of Niacin. Basic Health Pubs. ISBN-13: 978-1591202752 . 15. Flechas JG. Boron and medical health. 16. Schrauzer G.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Researchers report in Environment International (December 2018) that fluoride exposure combined with iodine deficiency is linked to thyroid disease. They said this was the first population-based study in humans to examine the effects of chronic, low-level fluoride exposure on thyroid function while taking residents’ iodine status into account. “I have grave concerns about the health effects of fluoride exposure,” said lead author Ashley Malin, “and not just from my study, but from other studies that have come out in recent years” (Environmental Health News).”Fluoride exposure coupled with iodine deficiency is linked to thyroid disease, report researchers in Environment International (December 2018). They said this is the first human population-based examination of chronic low-level fluoride exposure on thyroid function that considers residents' iodine status. "I have grave concerns about the health effects of fluoride exposure," said lead author Ashley Malin, "And not just from my study but the other studies that have come out in recent years," (Environmental Health News).
Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.