Bromine and Bromism

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The following chart suggests that, at low blood levels, Bromide may be "therapeutic". However, at higher levels, it can be toxic.

Table 10.1Bromide Blood Concentration and Toxicity

mg/dL

mEq/L = mmol/L

Toxicity

< 50

< 6.3

"Therapeutic"

50-100

6.3-12.5

Possible toxicity

100-200

12.5-25

Usually serious toxicity

200-300

25-37.5

Possible coma

>300

>37.5

Possibly fatal

http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/library/randrep/pb_paper/mr1018.2.chap10.html

Since Iodine competes with the other Halogens (including Bromine), taking Iodine supplements may trigger a detox and higher blood levels of Bromine. Thus, while your body is detoxing, you may experience symptoms of Bromism (discussed below). If your symptoms are severe, it may be wise to reduce your levels of Iodine to slow down the detox.

As Abraham suggests, "Since iodine mobilizes toxic metals and goitrogenic halides from their storage sties,3,18 it may not be wise to achieve whole body sufficiency for iodine too rapidly since mobilization of these toxic substances may increase their peripheral levels high enough to cause symptoms. A complete nutritional program combined with increased fluid intake will help the body eliminate these toxic elements more safely.3 To be discussed later, in cases of increased mobilization of bromide from storage sites by orthoiodosupplementation and elevated serum bromide levels high enough to cause bromism, the administration of sodium chloride (6-10 gm/day) increases the renal clearance of bromide by 10 fold and minimizes the side effects of bromism. If orthoiodosupplementation results in elevated urine lead levels, together with increased bromide, ammonium chloride is preferable to sodium chloride since it is the chloride that increases renal clearance of bromide. The ammonium is metabolized to urea and has an acidifying effect, which increases renal clearance of lead also." http://www.townsendletter.com/Oct2005/gabyrebuttal1005.htm

{{After Iodoral, Abraham has reported finding serum bromide levels of 202 mg/L. http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-11/IOD_11.htm [dL = deciliter = A metric unit of volume equal to one-tenth (10-1) of a liter.] Thus, 202 mg/L = 20.2 mg/dL. Compared to this chart, these levels do not seem especially high. Nevertheless, he found symptoms of extreme fatigue and acne that he said were "most likely due to mild bromism."}}

The following symptoms of Bromism are from http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/library/randrep/pb_paper/mr1018.2.chap10.html

Symptoms of BromismBromide ... may cause protean [Defn: Exhibiting considerable variety or diversity] symptoms, particularly psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, and dermatologic....

Psychiatric symptoms may include...disinhibition, self-neglect, fatigue, sluggishness, impairment of memory and concentration, irritability or emotional instability, and depression....

Neurological abnormalities of "all kinds" occur, including headache, tremor, slurred speech, spontaneous movements, incoordination, ataxia (abnormal gait), tendon reflex changes (increased or decreased reflexes), and extensor plantar responses (abnormal reflexes that signify "upper motor neuron" disease, disease in the brain or spinal cord that affects nerve signaling to the muscles).... Vision changes have included decreased visual acuity often in conjunction with enlarged and poorly reacting pupils; disturbances of color perception, photophobia (abnormal sensitivity to light), micropsia and macropsia (perception of things as smaller or larger than they are), blurring of vision, and the quite characteristic mydriasis (enlarged pupils)....

Dermatologic: Some patients will develop "bromoderma," an acne-like "papular" (raised) eruption of the face and hands...; a "macular" (nonraised) rash may also be seen.... [or] abnormal pigmentation, usually of the sun-exposed areas....

Zoe

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