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About the Iodine Supplementation Protocol
                                
Not Just For Breast Cancer Patients

Physicians Guy Abraham, MD, David Brownstein, MD, and Jorge Flechas, MD, have
treated more than 4,000 patients with iodine supplementation.  The protocol below
is suggested by their writings and lectures.  We acknowledge with great
appreciation their pioneering research and generous contributions to the field of
Iodine Therapy.  See references below the protocol.

  • 24 Hour Iodine Loading Test Now Essential

The Iodine specialists have recently discovered it is essential to have the 24 Hour
Iodine Loading Test before implementing iodine supplementation in order to
investigate the presence of a possible iodine absorption defect. If a patient has a
normal or high Loading Test score in the presence of known iodine deficiency
condition such as breast or thyroid disease, a defect in the Sodium Iodide
Symporter (NIS) mechanism is suspected. The iodine taken during the loading test
may pass into the urine unabsorbed giving a false normal reading. Follow your
physician's iodine dosing carefully to see how the iodine test result  changes.

  • The doctors find that the most common side effects are usually resolved
    with 3 grams of vitamin C and/or the salt loading protocol.

  • Be aware of iodine-related bromide detox symptoms. Symptoms of
    "bromism" may occur in some people. Click here for a list of recorded
    bromide symptoms. Patients are usually advised to cut back on iodine,
    *pulse-dose (see below) and salt-load more frequently.

Important: The following protocol should be implemented only under your
doctor's supervision and monitored with the appropriate laboratory work and
thyroid studies. Report any side effects to your physician. Do not take iodine if you
are allergic to iodized salt.

Iodine Supplementation Protocol with Companion Nutrients

Update: from October 2007 Iodine Conference

  • 50 mg Iodoral minimum for breast cancer (may start with 12.5 mg).
    Some practitioners may recommend another form of iodine such as Lugol's
    solution.  Iodoral is the Lugol's formula in tablet form especially designed to
    avoid gastric irritation.

  • Vitamin C - 3,000 mg per day (more may be necessary to detox bromide).

  • 300-600 mg magnesium oxide or comparable magnesium supplement.

  • 200 mcg selenium.

  • 500 mg niacin (B3) twice a day. (NOT niacinamide) Start lower to avoid flush.

  • 100 mg Vitamin B2 three times a day.

  • A comprehensive vitamin and nutrition program.

  • (Feb 2008) Dr. Guy Abraham cautions that "excess calcium supplementation
    (2,000-3,000 md/day) has been the most common cause of poor response to
    iodine supplementation." Vitamin Research News Vol. 22. Number 2.

Salt Loading Protocol for Possible Bromide Side Effects

Orthoiodosupplementation induced and increased mobilization of bromine from
storage sites, with increased urinary excretion of bromide. --Guy Abraham, MD

Certain iodine-literate doctors feel the bromide excreted by iodine therapy can
be eliminated more efficiently by the chloride present in mineral-rich Celtic
salt. The salt is added to water in a specific way. Eating salty food is not
effective. Table salt is only used in an emergency.

Some members of the Amazon discussion group have found the Salt Loading
Protocol devised by Dr. William Shevin (and presented at the February '07 Iodine
Conference) to be effective in eliminating the side effects such as bromide
sedation, acne, brain fog, brassy taste, mouth sores, frontal headache or other
symptoms which occur in a small percentage of patients.

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water.  Follow immediately with
    12-16 oz pure water.

  • Repeat in 30-45 minutes if needed. May repeat again until copious urination
    begins.

  • Observe subjective response (usually within several hours).

  • Iodine Investigation Project participants have found 1/2 teaspoon salt
    dissolved in the recommended amount of water works faster than the 1/4
    teaspoon dosage.

* Pulse dosing of iodine has often helped our participants with detox symptoms:  
taking a two day break from iodine supplementation as needed seems to enhance
the kidneys' ability to excrete bromide. These are only our observations as
educated patients. Consult your own physician about your particular iodine regimen.

No consensus exists on how important the salt loading may be to an iodine
therapy strategy if the patient does not have adverse symptoms.

Be sure to ask your doctor before implementing salt loading or any medical
strategy.

References:

1.  Brownstein, Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It, (Second Edition) Medical
Alternative Press, West Bloomfield, MI 2006. See drbrownstein.com.

2. Abraham, GE, The Historical Background of the Iodine Project, The Original Internist 2005

3. Abraham, GE, Iodine Supplementation Markedly Increases Urinary Excretion of Fluoride and
Bromide, Townsend Letter 2003

4. Abraham, G.E., Brownstein, D., Evidence that the administration of Vitamin C improves a
defective cellular transport mechanism for iodine: A case report. The Original Internist, 12(3):125-
130, 2005
[excerpt] Elevated bromide levels were observed in urine and serum samples, twenty times the
levels reported in the literature in normal subjects(8,9). Mild bromism may have been the cause
of the oxidative damage to the iodine transport system and the side effects to
orthoiodosupplementation. Chloride competes with bromide at the renal level and increases the
renal clearance of bromide (10,11). Sodium chloride at 10 gm/day for one week resulted in
marked increase in urine bromide levels, and a sharp drop in serum bromide. While on the
chloride load, urinary frequency improves for the first time in 5 years, but fatigue worsened and
she experienced facial and body acne. No significant change in symptomatology was observed
while on Vitamin C. The responses of her symptoms to various treatments modalities by self-
assessment are summarized in Table I. The treatment modalities are cumulative and added
sequentially in the patient's management. Measurements of serum and urine bromide and iodide
levels reported in this manuscript were performed by ion-selective electrode assay, following
chromatography on strong anion exchanger cartridges, as previously described (3,7).

The statements above have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.  The
supplements discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  Do not
take iodine without the supervision of an Iodine-Literate Doctor who is qualified to interpret lab
work in the context of supplementation. This website is intended as information only. The editors
of this site are not medically-trained. Please consult your licensed health care practitioner before
implementing any health strategy. The information provided on this site is designed to support,
not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing
physician. This site accepts no advertising. The contents of this site are copyrighted by Breast
Cancer Choices, Inc. Contact us for reprint permission.

Web page updated June 1, 2009

Dr. David Brownstein
writes:

Caution With Kelp
Supplements

My research has shown
that after testing over
4,000 patients for their
iodine levels, over 96% of
those tested are
significantly low in iodine.  
Many patients ask me if
they can take kelp
instead of iodine.   The
amount of iodine in kelp
can be variable.  
Furthermore, I was
always concerned that
kelp supplements may
contain toxic amounts of
arsenic or halides.  I have
tested 2 kelp
supplements and found
very elevated arsenic
levels in both items.   Both
of these products were
marketed heavily and
sales in the millions of
dollars were reported.  
When I contacted he
manufactures of these
products, neither
returned my phone calls.  
Remember, if kelp is
grown in a polluted area
of the ocean, it may
contain elevated amounts
of these pollutants.  New
research has validated
my findings.

Researchers at the
University of
California/Davis found
that eight out of nine kelp
supplements contained
abnormal levels of
arsenic (Env. Health
Perspectives, April,
2007).   The researchers
began to look at kelp
supplements after a
patient presented to the
UC Davis clinic with a
myriad of complaints
including memory loss,
hair loss and fatigue.   
She was found to have
very high arsenic levels
which was traced to a
kelp supplement she was
taking.  After stopping the
kelp supplement, her
arsenic levels gradually
declined and her
symptoms improved.   

So, what can you do?  IF
you are low in iodine, take
a pure iodine product that
is not contaminated.  
Lugol’s solution or
tableted  Lugol’s solution
(Iodoral®) have both
proven safe and effective
in my practice.  Kelp can
be an appropriate iodine
source if the kelp has
been tested and found
free of toxic elements.  I
would be very cautious
about taking a kelp
supplement unless the
manufacture is
consistently testing the
kelp for purity and
consistency.