Why Test Iodine?

The identification and treatment of an iodine deficiency has obvious benefits. In order to determine the daily amount of essential iodine required for whole body sufficiency, an Iodine Loading Test must be performed. This test is based on the premise that the more iodine-deficient the body is, the more ingested iodine is retained, and the less is excreted in the urine.

The three basic steps of the test are as follows:

1. Collection of an initial urine sample before the ingestion of iodine in order to establish a baseline level.
2. The ingestion of iodine/iodide tablets (generally 50mg)
3. Collection of subsequent urine voids for the next 24 hours. The iodine in both samples is then measured and a percentage reflecting the "spill" of iodine is calculated. This simple test can prove to be profoundly useful in guiding treatment for numerous conditions including several endocrine imbalances.

Every cell in the body contains and utilizes iodine. Essential for life, iodine has many effects on the body: hormone production, nerve and muscle function, metabolism, tissue growth and repair, and cell respiration.

It has been estimated that approximately one third of the world's population is iodine deficient, and studies in the United States have suggested that the number may be even higher, with some estimates as high as 95%.¹ Iodine deficiencies can occur not only because of inadequate intake, but also due to the damaging toxins we are exposed to every day. Given the various functions of iodine in the body, it is easy to see how even a slight deficiency can cause widespread problems. An especially interesting area of study in iodine deficiency is the field of hormone balancing. Iodine is a crucial ingredient in the delicate balance of the endocrine system, and deficiencies have been implicated in conditions such as diabetes, polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS), fibrocystic breast disease, increased breast cancer risk and most commonly goiter.

More than 100 years ago, iodine was called "the universal medicine". Recent research may prove this to be true. Much promising research has been conducted on the use of iodine to treat fibrocystic breast disease, as iodine concentrates in and is secreted by the mammary glands. Normal breast architecture requires adequate iodine, and in a deficient state, the breasts and thyroid compete for available iodine. Hyperplasia may be induced in these glands. Estrogen production increases with an iodine deficiency, thus causing an increased sensitivity to estrogen by breast tissue. As early as twenty years ago The Lancet reported that iodine deficiency predisposes one to an increased risk of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer.² Assessing iodine levels and the imbalance of hormones is the key to lowering that risk.

A study conducted on twelve diabetics showed dramatic improvements of HA1C and blood glucose levels after supplementation with 50 mg of iodine daily, with 50% of the patients able to completely stop their diabetes medications.³ The same study author monitored five PCOS patients who, on the same iodine dosage experienced a regulation of their periods, disappearance of ovarian cysts, and control of their diabetes.

Thyroid Hormones

Thyroid hormones are crucial for various processes in the body at all levels: cellur growth and development, metabolic effects, and cardiovascular effects.

Even a small decline in the production of thyroid hormones can have dramatic effects on the body. Since the main purpose of thyroid hormone is to "run the body's metabolism", it is understandable that people with low thyroid hormones will have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism. Hypothyroidism is more common than you would believe...and, millions of people are currently hypothyroid and don't know it! It is estimated that 10-40% of the population are hypothyroid.¹

In hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, excess thyroid hormone causes certain physiological changes characterized by an increased or hyper-metabolism. For instance, the heart beats faster, blood moves through the circulation faster, and food is digested faster, causing an increased appetite. Increased digestion, in turn, limits the amount of nutrients that are absorbed from food, causing nutrient deficiencies. These nutrient deficiencies are responsible for a plethora of other symptoms including nervousness, anxiety, weight loss and muscle weakness.

Thyroid cells are the only cells in the body which can absorb iodine. These cells combine iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to make T3, or triiodothyronine, and T4, or thyroxine. T3 and T4 are simply iodinated amino acids. A normal thyroid gland produces about 80 percent T4 and about 20 percent T3. The remainder of T3 is produced in peripheral tissues by the deiodination of T4. T3 possesses about four times the hormone "strength" as T4 and is really the physiologically active hormone. T3 controls metabolism (conversion of oxygen and calories to energy). Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism.

Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) are relatively insoluble; therefore, they are transported in the plasma bound to carrier proteins. Approximately 99.9% of T3 and T4 are protein bound. Only a small amount of unbound hormones are free to enter into peripheral cells. It is important to know that tissues respond to the concentration of free hormones, not the concentration of bound hormones.

Control of the thyroid gland is regulated by thyroid releasing hormone, or TRH, occurring in the hypothalamus deep within the brain. TRH triggers the pituitary gland to release thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH, or thyrotropin, which in turn causes the thyroid gland to produce its hormones.

Thyroid function can easily be tested by evaluating hormone levels, though results can be confusing unless the practitioner has a complete understanding of each hormone, including its origin and function. There are three thyroid hormones that are commonly tested, either alone or as part of a panel: T4, T3, and TSH. You will see choices of testing total or free T3 and T4. It is important to test free T3 and T4 (fT3 and fT4) levels in order to establish an accurate picture of thyroid function. TSH is often used as an initial screening test for thyroid function or as a tool to monitor thyroid replacement therapy. A high TSH level is indicative of thyroid gland failure, while a low level reflects an overactive thyroid. However, TSH is not a sensitive test and may not accurately reflect thyroid status and therefore, should always be ordered in combination with fT3 and fT4. Sometimes hyper/hypothyroidism is caused by autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland. Autoimmune thyroiditis can be evaluated by measuring the antibody thyroid peroxidase (TPO) in serum.

Another important aspect of thyroid function is iodine. Without it the thyroid gland simply cannot produce adequate quantities of hormones. The names of the hormones reflect their iodine components: T3 has three iodine molecules, T4 has four. It is easy to see then, how a deficiency in iodine can result in hypothyroidism. Iodine levels can easily be tested in the urine. It has been proven that iodine replacement greatly improves, if not eliminates, symptoms of a poorly functioning thyroid gland.²

Together with our salivary hormone testing menu, Labrix now offers urine iodine testing and our Blood Drop(TM) menu, with tests that include TSH, fT3, fT4 and TPO. These may be ordered individually or as a panel. Give us a call for more information.

Low Testosterone

A "very exciting and potentially groundbreaking" preliminary study performed by the University of California, San Diego reported that there may be an increased risk of death for men over the age of 50 who have low testosterone. The "Rancho Bernardo Study" followed 794 relatively healthy men between the ages of 50 and 91 for eighteen years to look at the relationship between mortality and testosterone levels. The findings show a 33% higher risk of dying from any cause in men with low testosterone than those with normal or even elevated levels, regardless of age, lifestyle activities like smoking and drinking, or physical activity.

The researchers are quick to stress, however, that more research (including clinical trials) is needed to prove their findings. When the link between low testosterone and risk of dying was adjusted for the presence of metabolic syndrome and inflammatory conditions (often seen with low androgen levels), it weakened, suggesting that both can also contribute to mortality. More studies are needed to identify which is the culprit: low testosterone, metabolic syndrome, or elevated inflammatory markers. One doctor referred to it as a "chicken and the egg" question: does low testosterone cause inflammation and metabolic syndrome, or do inflammation and metabolic syndrome cause low testosterone? Drs. Mead and Lommen here at Labrix believe, based on years of treating metabolic syndrome patients with testosterone, that this is not a question, but that low testosterone is indeed the culprit.

A similar study conducted last year by researchers at the University of Washington and the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Health Care System showed conclusions comparable to the Rancho Bernardo study. In their study, subjects were younger (40 and older) and in poor health, and had low testosterone levels which were associated with an 88% increased likelihood of death.

It is important to keep in mind that while hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day, these are conclusions drawn from a single daily testosterone reading, which may be misleading. This stresses the importance of collecting multiple samples in one day, in order to average the numbers and get an overall picture of hormone levels. Nonetheless, as studies and research continue to gather convincing data, it is clear that hormone testing is a vital part of routine checkups for men nearing or entering andropause and that testosterone supplementation, when warranted, may not only improve symptoms, but save lives.

Recommended Reading

Below you will find books that Labrix believes could be most beneficial to your continued growth and promotion of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

From female hormone balancing to root canal complications, each one of these books provides key references and guidance for even the most complex of circumstances. We have provided direct links to Amazon.com for your convenience and ease of purchase. Please do not hesitate to call Labrix should you have any questions and/or recommendations.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Female Hormones:

: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause: The Breakthrough Book on Natural Hormone Balance by John R. Lee MD and Virginia Hopkins

: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause: Balance Your Hormones and Your Life from Thirty to Fifty by John R, Lee MD, Jesse Hanley, and Virginia Hopkins

: Natural Progesterone: The Multiple Roles of a Remarkable Hormone by John R. Lee MD

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Male Hormones

: The Testosterone Syndrome by Eugene Shippen, William Fryer Adrenal Glands

: Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st-Century Stress Syndrome by James L. Wilson

: Safe Uses of Cortisol by William McK. Jefferies MD Thyroid

: Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness by Broda Barnes

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Diet and Nutrition

: The China Study : The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health by T. Colin Campbell, Thomas M. Campbell II

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Dental

: Root Canal Cover-Up by George E. Meinig

Which Panel Should I Be Using for My Patients?

We believe the bare minimum for assessing hormonal status and endocrine function is the five hormone panel: Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA and am Cortisol. When there are any sleep disruptions or high cancer risk profiles we also recommend the night Cortisol level. But in general as a basic guideline, an excellent starting place for men and women is the five hormone panel.

Below you will find the various panels offered and the associated symptoms.

---

Comprehensive Panel: Total: 8 Tests

E2, Pg, T, DHEA, am, noon, evening and pm Cortisol

Comprehensive Panel: This assessment is used for men and women who have many of the symptoms described below, and it combines a complete adrenal function panel in addition to an assessment of sex hormone levels. It is for compromised individuals who are having the short comprehensive and adrenal function symptoms. It is especially important to assess those mid-day Cortisol levels in individuals who are experiencing blood sugar dysregulation, hyperlipidemia, weight gain around the waist, bone loss, infertility, sensitivity to chemicals and increased joint pain.

o Achieving Optimal Wellness
o Weight gain
o Multiple chemical sensitivity
o High blood sugar and/or high lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides)
o Insomnia
o Chronic Fatigue syndrome or Fibromyalgia
o Plus Basic Panel symptoms

---

Short Comprehensive Panel: Total: 6 Tests

E2, Pg, T, DHEA, and am/pm Cortisol.

Short Comprehensive Panel: This assessment is used for both men and women who are having symptoms related to sex hormone deficiencies or excesses (E2, P and T) and will also render an abbreviated adrenal assessment with DHEA and am/pm Cortisol.

Women Experiencing:
o Fatigue
o Sleep disturbance
o Family history of breast cancer
o Plus Basic Panel symptoms

Men Experiencing:
o Decreased Libido
o Decreased Erection
o Decreased Stamina
o Decreased Mental Sharpness
o Decreased Muscle Size
o Tearful / Moodiness
o ElevatedTriglycerides and/or High Cholesterol

---

Basic Hormone Panel: Total: 5 Tests

E2, Pg, T, DHEA, and am Cortisol.

Basic Hormone Panel: This assessment is used for both men and women who are having any of the symptoms listed below (when there are any sleep disruptions or high cancer risk profiles we also recommend the night Cortisol level):

o Hot flashes
o Night sweats
o Breast tenderness
o Forgetfulness
o Irregular menstrual cycle
o Anxiety/depression
o Prostate gland problems
o Irritability
o Loss of strength / muscle
o Vaginal dryness

---

Adrenal Stress Panel: Total: 5 Tests

DHEA & 4 diurnal Cortisol: am, noon, evening and pm.

Adrenal Stress Panel is used when individuals are complaining of:

o Fatigue
o Weakness
o Insomnia
o Headaches
o Irritability
o Nervousness
o Sugar Cravings
o Dizzy Spells
o Decreased Stamina
o In addition, all individuals with chronic disease will have changes/compromises in their adrenal function.

---

Cortisol Panel: Total: 4 Tests

4 Diurnal Cortisol: am, noon, evening and pm.

The Cortisol Panel is used when individuals are complaining of the same symptoms listed above in the Adrenal Stress Panel, however may not require DHEA testing.

o Fatigue
o Weakness
o Insomnia
o Headaches
o Irritability
o Nervousness
o Sugar Cravings
o Dizzy Spells
o Decreased Stamina
o In addition, all individuals with chronic disease will have changes/compromises in their adrenal function

---

Abbreviated Cortisol: Total: 2 Tests

2 diurnal Cortisol: am and pm.

---

Estradiol: E2 Only: Total: 1 Tests

---

Estriol: E1 Only: Total: 1 Tests

---

Progesterone: Pg Only: Total: 1 Tests

---

Testosterone: T Only: Total: 1 Tests

---

DHEA: D Only: Total: 1 Tests

---

Of course you could also call the Lab to get advice on which panel should be utilized for a specific patient's circumstance!