Iodine

A year ago my doctor informed me that she thought I was developing hypothyroidism. She went on to tell me that this is the result of a genetic condition or an autoimmune disorder. After that she wanted to encourage me because all this would mean is that I need to take a synthetic hormone for the rest of my life and I will feel better.

I looked at her like she has lost her mind. After much questioning, 4 blood tests, my mom being tested, and my experimenting with taking a multivitamin and kelp for three months, I proved to her that it was the result of an iodine deficiency.  She told me that it is impossible to have iodine deficient people in a first world country, that this is a third world problem. This is absolutely not true.

the iodine evaporates before you can ingest it

I have done a lot of research over the past year. I’ve learned that 70% of Americans households are iodine deficient. It used to be factual that processed foods like bread and cereals were forced to add iodine to their products for American consumption but those requirements have been lifted and altered now for years. It is in some fruits, vegetables and grains but the trick is that you have to eat them and enough of them. In fact, iodine is one of the most important chemicals you can put in your body. Not to mention, iodine keeps your thyroid functioning correctly.

It should come as no surprise that with the rise in iodine deficiency there has been a rise in thyroid problems across America.

Iodine is cheap and easy to add to your food. It is present in anything that comes out of the ocean, potatoes, carrots, onions and a variety of vegetables that people eat fairly regularly year round. The most important thing you can do is get the right amount.

If you are iodine deficient you probably experience the long list of issues related to hypothyroidism: being tired all the time, restless sleeping, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, depression, achy joints, cold hands and feet, poor circulation, low energy, slow metabolism, tingling extremities, infertility, and the list goes on. Iodine also calms the body so you can be at peace and rest. Without it, your body is in fight or flight mode all the time which accounts for the restless nights, depression and anxiety.

According to “Folks Medicine” by D.C. Jarvis M.D., your blood goes through our thyroid every 17 minutes. Iodine is also part of a system that cleans out your blood so that it functions as best as it possibly can for your body. Without enough iodine, people have lower immune systems and lack the nutrients needed to ward off disease and illness. Without the right amount of iodine, the body also cannot absorb all the vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly.

As you can see, there is a whole host of issues that spring up when iodine is deficient. The most alarming part is that doctors do not test for this because there has not been an accurate system created to prove a body has the right levels of iodine. It is also true that people are taught common myth that iodine deficiency is primarily a third world problem.  If you look at that long list of health problems that result from a lack of iodine, I am sure it takes very little imagination to think up all the prescription drugs that can be sold to someone experiencing any of those symptoms. People are prescribed drugs for the better part of their lives for depression, anxiety, hypothyroidism, sleeplessness, etc. There is a rise in infertility and it costs thousands of dollars to pay for infertility treatments. Not to sound morbid, but I don’t think there is any mistake that doctors are not figuring out iodine levels as a cause for health problems in their patients…

There is an easy way to test yourself for iodine deficiency. I have to warn you that this example has been tested by a doctor who claims that it is not as reliable as an iodine loading test, but you can judge for yourself. I believe that this is an effective way to test yourself and begin the journey of rebuilding your iodine levels. Alternative medicine practioners and doctors agree that this is a useful and affective method. To test yourself, purchase iodine tincture (used for cuts and scrapes) from your local pharmacy (they run around $6). Use the wand to paint a 3 inch by 3inch square on your thigh or belly. Simply wait to see how long it takes your body to absorb the square. If the iodine stain remains on your skin for 24 hours or more then you are not iodine deficient. If the stain disappears, note how long it takes. As soon as it has faded away, add another square stain and again, take note of how long it takes for it to absorb. You will repeat this every time it fades until the stain can last 24 hours on your skin.

The first time I did this, it took my body about 3 hours to absorb the stain. After reapplying the iodine for a week I got up to 14 hours a day. You can continue to use this technique for 2-3 weeks to get your iodine levels back up to where they need to be. Once you reach 24 hours, then you only need to paint on a stain once a week from then on out. If you can’t get up to 24 hours after 3 weeks then you should look into purchases liquid iodine that can be added to juice or water for you to take orally. One drop will do for people 150 pounds or less. If you weigh more than 150 pounds then you’ll take two drops. You’ll drink this two times a week and should feel better almost right away. If you are about to get sick or concerned that you were exposed to some bug then take it three times a week.

I was amazed how quickly energy returned to my life by painting on the stain. I experienced most of the symptoms of hypothyroidism before I started taking iodine. Within one day I slept well and felt noticeably more energized to get through a day and then some.

Please remember that iodine is an extremely important part of your daily diet and our bodies do not produce it. It is integral for thyroid function which connects to all the systems in your body that need to function well for you to be well.

Before you say “yes” to another prescription or accept a diagnosis whole heartedly, please do your research and be willing to stand up for your health. God has already given us everything we need…