Orthoiodosupplementation: Iodine Sufficiency Of The Whole Human Body

Guy. E. Abraham M.D.¹, Jorge D. Flechas M.D.² and John C. Hakala R.Ph.³

I. Introduction

The essential trace element iodine (I) is the only one required for and in the synthesis of hormones. These I-containing hormones are involved in embryogenesis, differentiation, cognitive development, growth, metabolism, and maintenance of body temperature. I is highly concentrated in one organ, the thyroid gland, which becomes visibly enlarged when there is a deficiency of that element. It is the most deficient trace element in the world with an acknowledged third of mankind functioning below optimal level due to its deficiency ⁽¹⁾. Low intake of I is the world’s leading cause of intellectual deficiency ⁽²⁾. Yet, as unbelievable as it may sound, this essential element has suffered from total neglect regarding the amount of it required by the human body for optimal health. In 1930, Thompson et al wrote ⁽³⁾: “The normal daily requirement of the body for iodine has never been determined.” This statement is still true today, more than 70 years later.

At the Children’s Summit held in 1990, the United Nations and heads of state assembled for that occasion, pledged to eliminate I deficiency by the year 2000. Commenting on this meeting, John T. Dunn stated in 1993 ⁽⁴⁾ “The goal is technically feasible, but many obstacles must be overcome before it is realized.” In the list of obstacles, no mention was made of the greatest obstacle of them all: Our total ignorance regarding sufficiency of the whole human body for I. It is obvious that I deficiency has been equated with the simple goiter, cretinism, and I-deficiency disorders related to its role in thyroidal physiology. Supplementation was considered adequate if such amount prevented cretinism, simple goiter and symptoms of hypothyroidism ^(1,2,4). The assumption that the only role of I as an essential element is in its essentiality for the synthesis of T₃ and T₄, became a dogma. With the advent of sensitive assays, Thyroid Stimulating Hormones (TSH) was promoted to queen of tests for thyroid functions ⁽⁵⁾ and I was forgotten altogether as irrelevant to the point where most endocrinologists and other medical practitioners do not request a single test for urine I concentration, during their whole medical career.

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