P.S.A. REGARDING IODINE

First off, I want to thank you all for all the kind, supportive comments you left on my "Bye" post.  You really have touched this worn out old lady and make it so hard to stay gone.  I continue to lurk on your blogs to make sure you are all well,happy and to see what you are up to.  Very one sided of me I fear and I apologize. 

I wish I could say that I was coming back for though I have missed the daily give and take of blogging so much, I really have needed the rest.  Plus I had a few issues to work on.  One I will blog about soon hopefully with another positive P.S.A.

Now for the Public Service Announcement that I am throwing out there just in case it might help someone.  It is something my sister Jan and I discovered that I want to share. I really wanted to make this light and fun but I ended up stating just the facts. Losing my touch I guess.

Sister Jan has had some health problems this past year that dealt with growths on her thyroid  that are benign but are being monitored.  What she hadn't told me was that she had been suffering depression and extreme fatigue for quite some time. She was not happy being prescribed mood modifiers. They weren't helping.

Thanks to the Internet, she found some info that suggested that iodine deficiency could be the cause of her symptoms. Now her doctor had not checked her levels so Jan got some Kelp supplements that supplied a very small dose of 150 mcg of iodine which she took once a day. Jan takes no other medications so she wasn't worried about contraindications. 

Jan said the improvement was almost immediate.  Her energy and attitude did a complete turn around. She can't believe all the energy and positive outlook she has rediscovered.

All I can say, if you or someone you know is suffering from fatigue and depression, have a doctor check  iodine levels. It can't hurt and may REALLY help.  Possibly a very simple and cheap solution. Just be sure you are not taking any other medicines or have a condition that iodine could harm.

Here is a link with some great information from the US Government that also states benefits, uses and interactions iodine may have with some medicines or conditions. The end of the article lists several interactions you should be aware of.

When Jan told me about her marvelous results, just as a precaution,
I scoured the Internet to see if there were any bad side effects from taking iodine as a supplement. I didn't  want my little sis doing something that  might hurt her.

What I discovered was that particular dose was quite harmless.   Then I discovered something else.  Now I would tell you gentlemen to go click on Sports Center now but you all have women in your lives that this information might effect, so hang in if you can.

It seems that Fibrocystic Breast Condition is a sign of iodine deficiency.  Since about 30% of women have this annoying and uncomfortable condition, I felt I had to let you know what happened with me. 

FBC is when women's  breasts get sore and lumpy. Sometimes it is hormonal. For me, caffeine has always been a sure fire trigger.  No real coffee or chocolate for this gal most of my adult life. When I indulged, I paid the price. 

So I thought what the hay and got some low dose Kelp tablets also. It was the perfect time for I was in the middle of an episode of painful boobies.   In one day they quit hurting and to test it, I have had real coffee everyday for a month now. No pain, not even a twinge. I had forgotten what a nice pleasant buzz coffee can give you.

I was surprised to learn that other than the thyroid, the part of the body that stores the most iodine is the breast.  Some think iodine supplementation might ward off breast cancer. I won't go that far, I will only tell you what both my sister and I experienced and you can do your own research.  Have your doctor check your levels, determine if it is safe and form your own opinions. 

I do so hope this info helps someone else as it did us.

My next post, if my other experiment continues to go well, will be for those of you who suffer painful lower back, hips or both.

I will continue to visit you all though most likely in the shadows, lurking for now.  

Stay well, be happy and please keep posting.