I don't know much about how mercury effects iodine levels in the body or vice versa but my organic chemistry proffesor said today that alkyl halides (includes organic iodine) are very rare and are only found in a select few places in nature. She mentioned the thyroid gland as an example of organic iodine. I have a feeling that iodine plays an important role in the endocrine system and I know that mercury, by some mechanism, inhibits the endocrine system very effectively.

Here's a tidbit from http://www.tuberose.com/Mercury.html:

"Mercury blocks thyroid hormone production by occupying iodine-binding sites and inhibiting hormone action even when the measured thyroid levels appears to be in the proper range."

I don't really have a point, just my two cents. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-Colin