Iodine Deficiency

JORGE FLECHAS, M.D., M.P.H., born in Puerto Rico, received his Medical Doctorate Degree and Masters in Public Health at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California. He completed his Family Practice Residency at Florida Hospital in Orlando, Florida.

Dr. Flechas over the years has published articles in the fields of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome. Lately, he has been involved in research in the field of iodine deficiency, which has been associated with fibrocystic breast disease, ovarian cysts, breast cancer, thyroid goiter and hypothyroidism. Recent work in the field of iodine deficiency has shown that replacement therapy decreases the risk of breast cancer and promotes the reversal of fibrocystic breast disease.

It has been thought that iodine deficiency only manifests as hypothyoidism. Work done by many researchers over the last few years has shown that iodine is utilized by many different sections of the body. Twenty percent of all of the iodine sits in the human skin. A lack of iodine in the skin manifests as very dry skin and skin that does not sweat when an indivdual becomes hot. In newborn children iodine is responsible for the development of the babies’ I.Q. Recent research shows iodine deficiency is felt to be the source of attention deficit disorder in children.

Iodine is utilized by every hormone receptor in the body. The absence of iodine causes a hormonal dysfunction that can be seen with practically every hormone inside the body. Dr. Flechas has recently been able to show that patients with insulin resistant diabetes have a partial to full remission of their illness in the presence of taking iodine. Iodine deficiency is also felt to be the source fo ovarian cysts. With iodine replacement therapy the cysts disappear and women have stopped having ovarian cysts.

Dr. Flechas with the help of Dr. Guy Abraham, GYN/Endocrinologist from Torrance, California has been able to develop an iodine testing laboratory. Dr. Flechas is now the Director of that laboratory. Iodine deficiency can now be measured using the Iodine Loading Test. Kits for doing this testing can be ordered from 1-877-900-5556. The test is available through FFP Laboratories. Dr. Flechas can be reached at his Flechas Family Practice in Henderson, North Carolina by phone 828-684-3233, fax 828-684-3253, and website www.helpmythyroid.com. Articles concerning iodine deficiency have been published and are available via his website.