Pregnancy, Hair Loss, and Fungus Questions

Dear Omri: A long article from officials that is quite long appears that lactating woman needs iodine supplementation. In brief, I am quoting them just part of it:

"A health education campaign is needed in Australia and New Zealand to encourage all pregnant women, those contemplating a pregnancy, and breastfeeding mothers to take iodine supplements to increase iodine intake by 100 to 200ug per day. Requesting the manufacturers of prenatal and lactation vitamin and mineral supplements to include appropriate quantities of iodine in their preparations will assist in achieving the desired outcome of preventing the adverse effects of iodine deficiency on the fetus and developing infants.

Recommendation For Iodine Supplements During Pregnancy and Lactation

Urgent action is needed because there is evidence of significant and increasing iodine deficiency in pregnant and lactating women in both Australia and New Zealand. Similar recommendations have recently been made for European women (Zimmermann and Delange, 2004). The only exception to this recommendation for iodine supplementation is women with pre-existing thyroid disease who should be individually managed to ensure normal thyroid function during pregnancy. Adverse Effects of Maternal Iodine Deficiency on the Offspring.

The brain of the fetus and infant is particularly vulnerable to damage from decreased circulating maternal levels of thyroxine (T4), be it from environmental iodine deficiency or thyroid disease. Indeed, even borderline low normal maternal serum free T4 levels early in pregnancy may compromise fetal neuropsychological development (Toft, 2004). Iodine deficiency during pregnancy is the commonest worldwide cause of preventable intellectual impairment. In areas where iodine deficiency is severe, IQ scores in children are decreased by ten to 15 points, psychomotor deficits are more common, hearing may be impaired, and there is a markedly increased prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)."

You can read the entire article if the links are still active: www.ranzcog.edu.au/womenshealth/pdfs/OG_IodineInPregnancyAutumn2005.pdf

2. have you had any experience with regaining hair color (from white) as well as hair loss?

Hair loss should be stopped within 24 hours with supplementation of manganese sulfate and plenty of sodium ascorbate vitamin C. I usually take a minimum of 500 mg for my own health.

3. how would you recommend taking iodine if the places u have most fungal activity is in the eyes and ears,and what are the recommended dosages?

I wouldn't apply iodine. Geranium oils are often safer and have anti fungal properties and they are mild enough not to cause irritation. I can mix with some lavender oil but in that case it must be applied thinly.

I'm curious about the post that says manganese sulfate will cure hair loss. I'm unable to find manganese sulfate, but manganese chelate is available. If the reason for taking the supplement is to correct a deficiency in manganese the chelate should work, but I'm not sure how important the sulfate is based on what was said in the post? Can you please expand on this?

Thanks Becca :)