On Fri, 19 Sep 1997 21:01:01 -0500 Kathy Dettwyler <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
>>made from a type
>>of kelp ( which is high in iodine ) which in its natural state could
>>cause a goiter.
>
>This connection has been posted twice, so I'm going to jump in and say
>that
>high levels of iodine do NOT cause goiters.  In fact, just the
>opposite.
>When the body does not get enough iodine, the thyroid gland grows
>larger to
>compensate, and the enlarged thyroid (in the front of the neck) is the
>goiter.  Repeat: iodine *deficiency* is the cause of goiter.

Katherine,

Thank you so much for correcting my information on goiter and iodine. I
was remiss not to have looked up exactly what causes goiter. Instead, I
went from my memory of hearing about goiter several years ago. I
apologize for the misinformation I put out to the list. However, the
basic theories of homeopathy I wrote of  were correct.

>I do not believe in homeopathy, and when promoters of it show that
>they
>don't really understand the causes of diseases . . . . it makes me
>even more
>of a skeptic.

It is fine that you don't believe in homeopathy. I didn't believe in it
at first either. The theories sound *way* out there and logically would
have no chance of being effective. But, then I saw it work. I have seen
it work many times. I have seen it not work many times. It is not the be
all and end all of medicines but it is always worth a try in non-critical
cases. I start with herbs and/or homeopathy first and then, if necessary,
I move on to allopathic medicine.

No, I don't understand the causes of all diseases. I am a mother and a
midwife. I am not a doctor. I am not a homeopath. I am someone who
believes that homeopathy works. I would not want anyone to base their
beliefs on the effectiveness of homeopathy on my knowledge of diseases.

I usually always refer to texts on things I am not clear on and there is
no excuse for me not doing it in this case. One thing is for certain - I
will never have to look up the relationship between iodine and goiter
again !!!

Keli