So does this really work?

I've read through the site, and followed the forum for a while. And I definately feel it's all a bit too much to grasp.
So, bottom line... Does the top six work for you people - and if it does to what extent? Did it stop slow your hairloss, stop it or regrow your hair?

How aggressive is your hairloss, and what other treatements have you tried prior? Also do you do the top six alone or in conjunction with something else?

I have yet to see more than the odd success story on this, and it has always been in conjunction with something else. And I have not seen any pictures at all, so if you've got before and after it would be very much appreciated by a lot of people if you uploaded them!

So after 50 views, there still aren't any success stories?

Be interested to know as well.

This site has some extraordinarily helpful info, but I must admit that there seems few actual reports of regrowth or stabilization. Be great if some of those with good results could add something to help us new to the program get some perspective

it seems to be that those who do get success get fantastic success

Personally I'm combining lots of different strategies, I'm pretty confident about it working!

I think at the end of the day you just need to gauge your own unique reasons for losing hair and pick and choose your own solutions This is always going to be more tricky than "Take this tablet once a day", but it will also be better for you, and possibly more permanent and dependable. Different strokes eh? ^_^

Gubter_87 - Here's a brief mention that's on the main page. I find that most who even view this thread are still pretty new (plenty of guests), and if you look on any forum, success stories are scattered. It's a little like a customer service where most of the dialog are challenging cases and of course all the interest in particulars.

There's a lot of learn or explore about oneself here. Myself, jdp710, Prague and several others have posted numerous times on success.

Hair loss can be either simple or very complex, depending what one's contributing factors are.

https://immortalhair.forumotion.com/natural-hair-regrowth-f1/ten-years-of-cannabis-usejdp-and-immortal-t2876.htm

This is a good thread for anyone new to this forum

https://immortalhair.forumotion.com/natural-hair-regrowth-forum-f1/summary-of-hair-loss-mechanisms-and-solutions-t1099.htm

Thanks for the links... However it seems that on one side there is the top six, and on the other side is fixing problems with the thyroid, adrenals and (something else?).

Should any eventual problems with the thyroid and adrenals be looked at first? I am still young, and have very agressive hair loss. I guess I just don't believe that popping a few antioxidants would make all the difference, seeing as I already eat a healthy diet.

However I do have all the symptoms (or most) of hyperthyroid. But when I did the Barnes temp test yesterday it ended up low (36,2 celsius)?

Basically... Is there anything else that should be cheked before starting the regimen?

"Hair loss can be either simple or very complex, depending what one's contributing factors are."

I think that sums a lot of this up actually!

Gubter_87 - I second Hoppipolla.

Standard thyroid testing is not accurate, because it fails to take into account of thyroid hormone resistance.

Much like insulin resistance, the pancreas (or thyroid in this case) makes plenty of the hormone insulin, yet it has to make more in order for the body to escort glucose into cells.

So why would one become low thyroid in the first place assuming a healthy diet is consumed? The answer is that there are so many things in food and the environment that compete for iodine absorption, besides the fact that 96% of the globe is already deficient in iodine.

This slide presentation below will explain the situation with iodine:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/1959949/IODINE-Solution-to-Healthproblems

As far as the regimen is concerned, with not hesitate on it, because it is designed to buffer the impact of foods consumed as well as visible and silent inflammation.

Hope you don't mind that I added that quote to my signature CS! I also put it as my sig on HLT if that's ok, like on here with the abbreviation "CS"

Let me know if it's not cool!

Oh erm, the thyroid thing I am still learning so much and found that fascinating, but do you have any thoughts on the results of my thyroid blood test which came out at 16? I'm sure my doctor said that was TSH and the normal range was 9-19 but unless we use some wacky different system here in the UK, everyone's been saying that can't possibly be a TSH reading! I looked it up and is 9-19 the range for T4 or something? o.O Sorry, I just wasn't sure.

Interesting slide presentation. However I think they are being quite biased.
For instance, they bring up the fact that skin contact with bromide could cause lesions etc. But do not say anything about that skin contact with Iodine could cause the same, as it is also an oxidizing irritant.

It is possible that the RDA of Iodine is way too low. But one should not forget that large doses of Iodine is toxic.
In some people who are sensitive to iodine, just the injection of a iodine based contrast agent, have caused them to go into anaphylactic shock.

Not saying that they are wrong, just that I didn't think they brought up the toxicity issues at all.

I am having success. I have been following IH's regimen and this forum since 2007. My health has never been better. My hair is certainly substantially thicker. I feel and look better then I have in years. I feel like I have improved my well being as well. I only wish I knew about this site and what I now know 10 years ago.

Gubter - Iodine deficiency to me is unquestionably a serious problem for many Americans. The same could probably be said for Magnesium as well as many trace minerals. If you are following RDA guidelines (on just about anything really) in the long term you will NOT be successful with improving your health or your hair.

Thank JDP for bringing this link to our attention:

http://cpmedical.net/articles.aspx?ProdID=art6347&zTYPE=2

Iodine Deficiency


An Under-Recognized Epidemic
By David Brownstein, MD

I have been involved in the iodine project for seven years. During this time, iodine has consistently provided the most satisfying clinical results as compared to any other nutrient. To date, my partners and I have tested nearly 5,000 patients for iodine levels. Our results show that more than 96 percent of patients tested have low iodine levels with the vast majority being severely iodine deficient. I believe iodine deficiency is occurring at an epidemic rate across the United States. The consequences of iodine deficiency are severe: mental retardation, lowered IQ, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), infertility, thyroid problems, and cancer of the breast, prostate, ovaries, thyroid and uterus.

Unfortunately, a lot of misinformation exists about iodine. People are afraid to use iodine because of unsubstantiated rumors about this nutrient. This article, excerpted in part from my book, Iodine Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It, is written to provide the reader with the correct information about iodine so that the reader can make an educated decision about whether to supplement with this important nutrient.

For more than 100 years, iodine has been known as the element that is necessary for thyroid hormone production. However, it is rare to see any further mention of iodine’s other effects. Iodine is found in each of the trillions of cells in the body. Without adequate iodine levels, life itself is not possible.

Iodine is not only necessary for the production of thyroid hormone, it is also responsible for the production of all of the other hormones of the body. Adequate iodine levels are necessary for proper immune system function. Iodine contains potent antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Iodine is also effective for treating fibrocystic breasts and ovarian cysts. Table 1 lists some of the many benefits of iodine and some of the conditions that would benefit from adequate iodine supplementation.

Approximately 1.5 billion people, about one-third of the earth’s population, live in an area of iodine deficiency as defined by the World Health Organization. Iodine deficiency disorder can result in mental retardation, goiter, increased child and infant mortality, infertility, and socioeconomic decline.1 Iodine deficiency disorder is the most common preventable form of mental retardation known.

Iodine is a relatively rare element, ranking 62nd in abundance of the elements of the earth. Iodine is primarily found in seawater in very small quantities and solid rocks (usually near the ocean) that form when seawater evaporates. Iodine can also be found in sea organisms, such as seaweed. In fact, seaweed is one of the most abundant sources of iodine because seaweed has the ability to concentrate a large amount of iodine from the ocean water.

Iodine is not very abundant in the earth’s crust.2 It is estimated to be about 0.3-0.5 parts per million. In fact, it is in the bottom third of the elements in terms of abundance.2

If the soil has adequate iodine levels, the crops grown on that soil will contain adequate iodine levels. Conversely, deficient iodine levels will be found in crops grown on iodine-deficient soil.

There are naturally occurring non-radioactive and radioactive forms of iodine. Radioactive iodine can be used in medicine to diagnose and treat certain illnesses, particularly illnesses of the thyroid gland.

Commercially available non-radioactive iodine primarily comes from several sources: Chilean Saltpeter, seaweed, and brine water in oil wells. The action of the waves from the ocean can make iodine gas. Once airborne, iodine can combine with water or air and enter the soil. Non-radioactive iodine can enter our food system in a variety of ways. First, plants can take up iodine from the soil. Second, airborne iodine can land on fresh water supplies and, finally, airborne iodine can land on the ground, combine with salt, and become iodized salt.

Radioactive iodine can enter the air from reactions in nuclear power plants or explosions of nuclear materials. Radioactive iodine has been associated with certain types of cancer including thyroid cancer and certain blood cancers. Children are more susceptible to radioactive iodine since they have smaller thyroid glands, and they will receive a proportionately larger radioactive dose than an adult when they are exposed to radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine damage can be prevented by the ingestion of non-radioactive inorganic iodine.

Where Is Iodine Found in the Body?

Every cell in the body contains and utilizes iodine, but iodine is concentrated in the glandular system of the body. The thyroid gland contains a higher concentration of iodine than any other organ. Large amounts of iodine are also stored in many other areas including the salivary glands, cerebrospinal fluid and the brain,3gastric mucosa, choroid plexus, breasts, ovaries, and the ciliary body of the eye. In the brain, iodine concentrates in the substantia nigra, an area of the brain that has been associated with Parkinson’s disease. Iodine is essential for the normal growth and development of children. Severe iodine deficiency can result in severe mental deficiency and deafness (i.e., cretinism). In addition, spontaneous abortion, as well as delayed physical and intellectual development is associated with iodine deficiency. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is also related to iodine deficiency (see chapter 10 of my book).

Conversely, too much iodine can be a problem. In rare cases, excess iodine (i.e., doses greater than 1 gram/day) has been associated with hyperthyroid symptoms.

TABLE 1. Therapeutic Actions of Iodine and Conditions That Can Benefit From This Crucial Nutrient
Therapeutic Actions

Antibacterial
Anticancer
Antiparasitic
Antiviral
Elevates pH
Mucolytic Agent
Conditions Treated With Iodine

ADD/ADHD
Atherosclerosis
Breast Diseases
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Excess Mucous Production
Fatigue
Fibrocystic Breasts
Goiter
Hemorrhoids
Headaches and Migraine Headaches
Hypertension
Infections
Keloids
Liver Diseases
Nephrotic Syndrome
Ovarian Disease
Parotid Duct Stones
Peyronie’s
Prostate Disorders
Sebaceous Cysts
Thyroid Disorders
Vaginal Infections

How Much Iodine Do You Need?

Now that you can see the body’s needs for iodine and what happens when iodine is deficient, the next logical question is, “How much iodine do I need to take?”

The best way to ascertain how much iodine you need to take is to figure out the body’s iodine status. Iodine levels can be checked in the blood, serum or urine. The most accepted test is the urinary test. I believe the best test to measure iodine levels is the iodine loading test.

My mentor on iodine, Dr. Guy Abraham, developed the iodine loading test. This test can be ordered here. It is done by ingesting 50 mg of iodine and collecting 24 hours of urine. By measuring the amount of iodine excreted in the urine, you can ascertain the iodine status of the body. Our research has shown that healthy people have approximately a 90 percent excretion. Therefore, if they ingested 50 mg of iodine in 24 hours they will excrete approximately 45 mg and retain 5 mg. The more ill one is, generally the lower the excretion rate. In essence, if one is very ill, their body will be calling for more iodine and they will excrete less during the loading test. In this case, they will retain a large portion of the loading test and their excretion rate will be lower than 90 percent.

Having an iodine loading test performed can help guide you in the proper dosing of iodine. My experience has shown that most adults will do well taking iodine in the range of 25-50 mg/day. Children need lower doses and can be dosed appropriately based on their size. My experience has shown that a healthy individual taking 50 mg of iodine/day will achieve iodine sufficiency in approximately 6 months.

However, 50 mg/day of iodine in an individual ill with a serious illness such as cancer or an autoimmune disorder may be insufficient to meet their needs. My clinical and laboratory experience has shown that ill individuals generally need more iodine as compared to healthy individuals. At 25-50 mg/day of iodine, it may take years for an ill individual to become iodine sufficient. In these cases, I sometimes recommend increased dosages of iodine. I do not recommend anyone dose iodine on their own. The best results are found when working with a holistic health provider who is knowledgeable about iodine. Furthermore, the best results are found by using iodine as part of a comprehensive holistic regimen that includes balancing vitamins, minerals, and hormones.

When undertaking an iodine supplementation program, it is important to use iodine from a reputable company. A reputable company should be able to verify the contents of its products. Iodoral is one such product that has been properly studied and verified. Iodoral is a tableted iodine product. Its use has stood the test of time. I have been using Iodoral in my practice for more than seven years and found consistently positive results with it.

Final Thoughts

There is so much misinformation about iodine. It is important for you, the reader, to do your own research and come up with your own conclusions about iodine. Once you understand the importance of this vital element, you will understand why it is crucial to ensure adequate iodine levels in you and your family.

Iodine deficiency is occurring at epidemic rates. I have no doubt that this deficiency is responsible (at least in-part) for the epidemic of cancers of the breast and prostate as well as thyroid disorders. My clinical experience has clearly shown that it is impossible to treat these disorders as well as other chronic illnesses such as autoimmune diseases without ensuring adequate iodine intake.

Remember, the best results are achieved when working with a skilled health care practitioner who is knowledgeable about iodine. More information about iodine can be found in my book, Iodine Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It, available here.

References

1. Manner, M.G., et al. Salt Iodization for the Elimination of Iodine Deficiency. International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders. 1995.

2. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 9th Edition. Williams and Wilkins, 1999.

3. Adrasi, E. Iodine concentration in different human brain parts. Analytical and Bioanalytical chemistry. November 13, 2003.

Gubter_87 wrote:But one should not forget that large doses of Iodine is toxic.

There are people who have drank "gallons" of Iodine and live


Some info

"“… iodine is highly toxic is a common fallacy (Goodman and Gillman: The pharmacologic Bases of Therapeutics, 3 rd Ed).”
Toxic dose: 2g-10g. Ingestion produces gastric irritation and vomiting.
From 1915 to 1936, 327 attempted suicides with iodine reached Boston City Hospital. Not a single one died!


http://www.skylarkmedicalclinic.com/Waterdisturbances.htm


Iodine Suicides, Time Magazine, 1938

Young Dr. Merrill Moore of Boston is known as a psychiatrist, semiprofessional swimmer and author of 25,000 good and bad sonnets. With all his zest for life, Dr. Moore is most interested in the problem of suicide, has collected many scientific facts on this phenomenon. Last week in The New England Journal of Medicine he discussed the agent most commonly used by would-be suicides: iodine.

Although the years 1915-36 showed a steady increase in the number of iodine drinkers, said Dr. Moore, not one fatal case of iodine poisoning was observed in Boston and vicinity.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,760257,00.html

Gubter_87 wrote:For instance, they bring up the fact that skin contact with bromide could cause lesions etc. But do not say anything about that skin contact with Iodine could cause the same, as it is also an oxidizing irritant.

Iodine doesn't cause skin lesions. I can pull up info but I'm short on time.

With that said, using 5%, full strength Iodine on skin can cause your skin to peel away. 2% won't do this. And again, this is full strength.

So iodine causes people to get suicidal?

Okay.. I hate to be the one who quotes wikipedia, but it actually has references to the following statements:

"The United States Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is 150 micrograms per day (μg/day) for both men and women, with a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for adults is 1,100 μg/day (1.1 mg/day). http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10026&page=258"
"The tolerable upper limit was assessed by analyzing the effect of supplementation on thyroid-stimulating hormone."

"After iodine fortification programs (e.g. iodized salt) have been implemented, some cases of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism have been observed (so called Jod-Basedow disease). The condition mainly seems to occur in people over forty, and the risk appears higher when iodine deficiency is severe and the initial rise in iodine intake is high"

This is always the way it is though, different studies and different experts pointing in opposite directions. I'm not saying Iodine is hazardous to health, but it might be an idea to be cautious when taking large doses.

Gubter_87 - This statement above has been presented on this forum dozens of times. There are many more taking 50 mg, 100 gm, 300 mg and even a full gram of iodine with no adverse effects.

Here is a good link that explains why the older literature (cited by Wikipedia) cautions against iodine.

http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-04/IOD_04.html

Dr. David Brownstein who is part of the iodine product, testing over 5,000 patients before and after iodine supplementation (using high dose) has found it perfectly safe and given the best results in patients who suffer from thyroid problems.

So iodine is safe at around 12.5mg? Why does Dr.Moore think there's a link between suicides and iodine?

tooyoung wrote:So iodine is safe at around 12.5mg? Why does Dr.Moore think there's a link between suicides and iodine?

He doesn't. He said when people try to kill themselves by overdosing on iodine it doesn't work.

CS; It is possible that adverse effects will occur over time. Not saying that it definately will, but just that it might. Though it does seem like the new conclusion on Iodine is that it is safe in larger doses.


By the way, who actually thinks of the idea to off themselves with Iodine? Most people wouldn't even know where to get hold of a concentrated forumla and enough of it... Sound very weird to me.

Gubter_87 - There can be some temporary effects caused from detoxification, since iodine helps pull fluoride, bromide, aluminium, mercury, lead and other metals from tissue.

All over the Internet, many cite that iodine will cause acne, however that is a sure sign of bromidism, where there is too much bromide which has displaced iodine in the thyroid. Bromide is loaded in brominated vegetable oils (Gatorade, flour, baked goods, certain soft drinks, and prescription drugs).

So in such cases, there will be some initial detox reaction from this, Dr. David Brownstein uses salt loading along with a temporary halt in iodine intake during this process, then re-introduction of iodine to gradually fill the thyroid and other body tissues with iodine.

CA; So, just out of curiosity, you feel content that there are NO health risks whatsoever related to supplementing Iodine - apart from possible reactions to detoxing?

Do you reckon it is safe at very high doses as well? Or what's the ball-park figure you are reffering to?

albe wrote:

tooyoung wrote:So iodine is safe at around 12.5mg? Why does Dr.Moore think there's a link between suicides and iodine?

He doesn't. He said when people try to kill themselves by overdosing on iodine it doesn't work.

Alright I'm just being stupid again, thanks.

Gubter_87 - In terms of dosage, one can perform an iodine loading test, to see what sort of dosage is desired. You could start at 12.5 mg or higher initially, see how your body reacts or if there are any special considerations.

I became interested in iodine at least with respect to hair loss when I found that the best resolution to PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) was high dose iodine. While this is a condition that females acquire, it is frequently associated with all the hallmarks of male pattern baldness, such as insulin resistance, elevated androgen levels, oxidative stress and of course hair loss.