[Philmont]: Iodine and the Thyroid

Both John and I are correct. In anyone with a normal thyroid, the
amount of iodine present in Polar Pure'd water is basically of no
consequence. That's 99. percent (probably higher) of all Philmont
participants. If you have a serious thyroid condition, however, Polar
Pure'd water will be a problem. One of my ASM's cannot handle Polar
Pure'd water at all, and one of my newest Scouts has a slightly allergic
reaction to it. That's it for nearly 17 years of Scoutmastership, call
it about 25 ASM's and roughly 200 Scouts over that time frame.

As a possible warning signal, I believe people who are seriously
allergic to shellfish tend to also have some difficulties with iodine.
Before anyone starts shrieking, note the word "possible" in the previous
line. Obviously anyone taking medication for a thyroid condition (like
the above mentioned ASM in my Troop) cannot touch Polar Pure'd water.

- Dr. Bob

Ched Hudson wrote:
> On the water filter/polar pure thread, John LeBlanc wrote:
>
> -----Original Message-----
> <snip>
> To Polar Pure or Filter, that is the question. Ah, sounds like Caesar!
>
> And where did the statement in one post "thyroid stimulating" iodine
> come from anyway? Better do some homework on that one, iodine does
> not stimulate the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland collects it and
> uses it for necessary bodily functions.
>
> OK, on my last PhilTrek, one Scout was alergic to iodine. Or so his
> father said anyway.
>
> It's a proven fact that the amount of iodine used in Polar Pure
> usually is not enough to cause a reaction even in those allergic to
> it. That is something one must work out for themselves.
> <snip>
>
> John LeBlanc
> Philmont 1959

>
> In a similar thread last November, Dr. Bob wrote:
>
> Some clarifications:
>
> <snip - discussion of interactions between Polar Pure and vitamin C>
>
> 3) If anyone in your Crew has a thyroid condition (something you
> should specifically ask during an "all-hands" meeting where parents
> are present), then they cannot use Polar Pure. I am not an MD, but
> it is my understanding that even iodide ions ("dead" iodine
> remaining after treatment with Vitamin C or some other similar
> agent) will still cause a thyroid to go haywire, same as iodine. In
> such cases, that person will need to use a chlorine based
> purification method, or go with a good filter THAT DOESN'T ALSO HAVE
> A PURIFIER IN IT (since those purifiers are - you guessed it -
> iodine based). <snip-discussion of chlorine bleach as an alternative> If you have a Crew member with a thyroid condition, you need to
> be equally mindful of what water is used to prepare your meals.
> Meals requiring boiling water don't need purified water, but cold
> water desserts that do, also represent a danger. If you have no-one
> on your trek with a thyroid condition, but by about Day III you have
> a Scout or Advisor claiming that they are absolutely exhausted but
> still can't sleep at night, and they're drinking Polar-Pure'd water,
> you should suspect an undiagnosed thyroid condition, and contact
> Base Camp for advice.
>
> <snip>
>
> - Dr. Bob
>
> >Ched Hudson
> ASM, Troop 994
> Fairfax Station VA
> Philmont 67, 04 (Wow...haven't thought about Halazone, or Tetrox, since
> I came off the trail in '67!)
>
>

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Received on Wed Sep 8 22:59:43 2004