Hello, I think it may depend on the type of iodine that is used that can cause a potential problem with the autoimmune thyroid problems. I have read that lack of the proper type of iodine can contribute to Graves’ Disease, Hashimoto’s Disease, fatigue and impaired immune system function. Dr. Brownstein has reported an improvement in many of his thyroid patients using Lugol's solution.

Here is a link to a debate on iodine where Drs. Brownstein and Abraham provide references for their rebuttal to an editorial by Dr. Gaby: http://www.townsendletter.com/Oct2005/gabyrebuttal1005.htm

Effectiveness

The Center for Holistic Medicine in West Bloomfield, MI (office of D. Brownstein, M.D.) has tested over 500 patients for iodine deficiency using the iodine/iodide loading test, developed by one of us.3 Based on the experience of the Center, the loading test provides an accurate and reproducible picture of the iodine status in the body. Retesting many of these patients has shown the changes in the test correlates with the changes in the clinical picture. In other words, as the loading test improves, the clinical picture improves.

Our experience at the Center for Holistic Medicine has shown that patients with the lowest urinary iodide levels on the loading tests are often the most ill.

Many of these patients with very low urine iodide levels following the loading test have severe illnesses such as breast cancer, thyroid cancer or autoimmune thyroid disorders. All of these conditions have been shown in the literature to be associated with iodine deficiency.3 Positive clinical results were seen in most of these patients after supplementation of orthoiodosupplementation within the range of 6.25-50mg of iodine/iodide (1/2 to 4 tablets of Lugol in tablet form).

The effectiveness of orthoiodosupplementation has not been limited to the very ill. In fact, most patients treated with orthoiodosupplementation have quickly experienced positive results although optimal responses are observed when whole body iodine sufficiency is achieved based on the iodine/iodide loading test. Our experience has shown that a wide range of disorders have responded to orthoiodosupplementation including thyroid disorders, chronic fatigue, headaches, fibromyalgia and those with infections. Additionally, our clinical experience has shown that iodine/iodide supplementation has resulted in lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients. The blood pressure-lowering effect is seen when sufficiency of iodine is achieved.

Safety
Dr. Gaby's editorial claims that the relatively high doses of iodine/iodide used in orthoiodosupplementation may lead to hypothyroidism, goiter or autoimmune thyroid problems. This just is not the case. A review of the literature revealed that the organic forms of iodine were involved in most of these

complications.3 Iodine intake has fallen over 50% in the U.S. over the last 30 years.38 During this same time, increases in diabetes, hypertension, obesity, breast and thyroid cancer, and other thyroid disorders, have been reported. It appears to us that iodine deficiency, not iodine excess may be responsible for the increase of these conditions.3,18

Also, here is a link for an interesting 4 part lecture about iodine by Dr. David Brownstein at the Vitamin C Foundation website:

http://www.vitamincfoundation.org/videos/