Interesting paper on use of iodide against the virus

[diogenes]

This preprint discusses the effect of Covid-19 on thyroid and other organs and the possible use of potasium iodide against it.

COVID-19 and iodide

April 2020

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.21068.97922

Mika Turkia

[MichelleHarris]

How do you open it please?

[RedApple Administrator in reply to MichelleHarris]

You can download the PDF via this link researchgate.net/profile/Mi...

[RedApple Administrator]

COVID-19 and iodide

Mika Turkia1

1 [e-mail]

April 26, 2020

Abstract

Currently, no effective treatment or preventive strategy for COVID-19 exists. Medications targeting viral replication are under investigation but additional strategies may be needed to prevent infections in asymptomatic people.

WHO has suggested there is uncertainty concerning feasibility of antibody-based protection against SARS-CoV-2. There- fore, enhancement of innate immunity seems like a natural option to investigate. Iodide has recently been found to enhance antiviral defenses of the respiratory mucosa as a part of a little known nonspecific antiviral mechanism present in saliva and airways. However, its effectiveness in human is as of yet unproven.

Included in WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, iodide is known to be relatively safe. While iodide supplementation is an unproven idea, it might be helpful in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Given the relatively low toxicity and low cost of production, a randomized controlled trial of supplemental iodide would be feasible.

Full text PDF downloadable here researchgate.net/profile/Mi...

[Hillwoman]

This is very interesting, especially in the light of advice given by Dr Myhill to her patients (inhaled Lugols via salt pipe).

[Hidden]

Haven't read it yet (brain not working well today!) but wouldn't there be a risk of overdosing on iodine for those who are hypothyroid?

[diogenes Remembering in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I think it will only apply to otherwise healthy people, because the danger of excess iodine in autoimmune thyroiditis still stands

[helvella Administrator]

May I say how much I appreciate you replying on the forum.

I have downloaded both papers from the links you have posted.

Do bear in mind, I am just a very simple thyroid patient. Much of your paper is way above my head. But several things intrigued.

First, the ischaemia reperfusion injury issue. I have already seen mention of the use of T3 (liothyronine) to protect against ischaemia reperfusion injury during/after some forms of surgery and, indeed, related issues with donated organs.

Second, the mention of statins/ARB. We are aware that some patients with thyroid issues have particular problems with statins.

Third, there has been mention of low T3 (as so often in many illnesses) in covid-19 patients.

I think many here will be wondering about the issues of iodide (and iodine) and autoiummune thyroid disease? Is there a sensible approach?

[m-t-5 in reply to helvella]

Hi,

thank you. I haven't read about T3 and ischemia but I'll try to look into it later.

Low T3 is probably due to non-thyroidal illness syndrome/euthyroid sick syndrome. For example here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/158...

So, basically everyone with any kind of critical illness has low serum T3 and high rT3.

With regards to autoimmunity, I haven't looked into it in a few years but in 2014 there were two opposing views. According to one, iodine was totally contraindicated, even in small amounts, because it caused an increase in TPO antibodies. For example Dr. Wentz: thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Selenium, I assume, protects quite a lot, but the effects may vary.

The second view, if I understood correctly, was that relatively high-dose iodine was necessary to flush other halogens (bromide, fluoride) the body, and rise in TPOAb is transient and less harmful than having the other halogens in tissues where iodine should be. According to this view autoimmunity could be the result of the body attacking tissues because of these other halogens, and getting rid of them would help.

Note that I am not a medical doctor. Personally, I believe this should be decided on a case-by-case basis. If the antibodies are relatively low, I'd use iodine, even a lot, and I've seen this done in a case with TPOAb around 70-100. Iodine with various experimental dosing regimes for a few months, totaling to maybe 1.5-2 grams, along with selenium and antioxidants, caused TPOAb to rise to around 150. After stopping iodine the levels fell a bit below the original level, around 60. In my opinion the end result was better than the situation before iodine. In this case, there was a severe undiagnosed iodine deficiency to start with due to long-term parasitic infection leading to anorexia and digestive issues.

So, in these borderline cases I'd probably take the latter approach. However, if TPOAb is in the hundreds to start with, then maybe better not. I do believe in an intuitive approach, and everyone should decide for themselves.

[tattybogle in reply to m-t-5]

Thank you for dropping round to see us! it's nice to have some scientific brains around to pick.

I too am just a simple thyroid patient who's immune system has been experimenting on its own body for a few years.

I used to have TPOab of >3000 and even now they're 195, so i think i'd better be looking elsewhere than iodine for my Covid protection strategy . But i have downloaded your papers from the SSRN links in a spirit of helpfulness.

[m-t-5 in reply to tattybogle]

Well, selenium, zinc+quercetin, melatonin and vitamins C and D are likely to be helpful for prevention of COVID-19. There is a protocol by professor Marik that seems very good to me: evms.edu/covidcare

[tattybogle in reply to m-t-5]

Thank-u Mika

All the Best,

Tat