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