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Accutane (Isotretinoin): How it Really Works

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Ever taken accutane? I haven't, but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t once considered it (after being vegan).

Accutane is a SYNTHETIC form of 13-cis Retinoic Acid aka Isotretinoin. It treats acne (AND cancer btw) by shrinking the oil (sebaceous) glands in the skin, reducing the amount of oil you're producing so your pores get less clogged.

While the root cause of acne looks mysterious, it’s usually a combo of retinol deficiency and iron toxicity. REAL Vitamin A (retinol) deficiency = copper deficiency, iron storage…and hypothyroidism.

Retinoic acids are critical. 13-cis loads copper from the trans golgi network into copper pump ATP7A. Retinol helps make transferrin, which transports iron to be recycled. Transthyretin (TTR), which carries inactive thyroid hormone (T4) and retinol-binding protein, also depends on it. Vitamin D Receptors (VDR) also need it to become activated.

Causes of retinol deficiency can be from a low-animal-fat diet and/or by iron overload, which interferes with fat metabolism in the liver, depleting the body’s main inventory of retinol. Regardless of which came first, to add insult to injury, accutane COMPLETELY wipes you of copper, making it non-bioavailable and causing more iron overload.

Without retinol or copper, you can’t make energy. All diseases are born from this impotence and many accutane users end up suffering from other health issues, especially those that do multiple rounds.

What’s interesting is that the most quintessential “energy deficiency” is hypothyroidism. In his book, “Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness,” Dr. Broda Barnes talks about how those who have acne usually have hypothyroidism, and it’s almost always resolved when thyroid health is addressed.

It’s pretty clear: I wasn’t getting animal fats + I was iron-toxic and hypo-metabolic. I also recently had intense acne after hormonal birth control, which depletes copper, among other vitamins and minerals, and contains iron!

Acne is soul-crushing, but there’s hope! With patience, mineral + hormone rebalancing, adrenal healing + therefore thyroid healing, my skin has never looked clearer. I haven’t worn makeup in 2 whole months (and not because of COVID).

What’s your acne story?

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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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References

Barber, E.F. Cousins, R.J. (1987). Induction of ceruloplasmin synthesis by retinoic acid in rats: influence of dietary copper and vitamin A status. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3655940.

Barnes, B. (1976). Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness. Toronto, CA: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited. 

Blaner, W.S. (2001). Cellular metabolism and actions of 13-cis-retinoic acid. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11606944.

Chemocare. 13-cis-Retinoic Acid. Retrieved from: http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/13-cis-retinoic-acid.aspx.

Goldberg, E. (2017). The Scorched-Earth Acne Solution. Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/02/accutane-acne-drug-side-effects/516345/.

Mendes, J.F.R. de Almeida Sigueira, E.M. de Brito e Silva, J.G.M. Arruda, S.F. (2016). Vitamin A deficiency modulates iron metabolism independent of hemojuvelin (Hfe2) and bone morphogenetic protein 6 (Bmp6) transcript levels. Retrieved from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12263-016-0519-4.

Newcomer, M.E. Ong, D.E. (2000-2003). Retinol Binding Protein and Its Interaction with Transthyretin. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6223.

Oba, K. Kimura, S. (1980). Effects of vitamin A deficiency on thyroid function and serum thyroxine levels in the rat. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6785400.

Palmer, A. (2020). Isotretinoin for Acne. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/all-about-isotretinoin-15665.

Pietrangelo, A. (2016). Effects of Isotretinoin (Accutane) on the Body. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/accutane-side-effects-on-the-body#1.

Robbins, M. (2018). Toxicity Post #69: Retinol-A is an absolute requirement for building blood and especially hemoglobin. Retrieved from: https://therootcauseprotocol.com/toxicity-post-69-the-iron-y-of-retinol/.

Roodenburg, A.J.C. Begiun, Y. West, C.E. Van Dijk, J.E. (2000). Indicators of erythrocyte formation and degradation in rats with either vitamin A or iron deficiency. Retrieved from: 

Saeed, A. Dullaart, R.P.F. Schreuder, T.C.M.A. Blokzjil, H. Faber, K.N. (2018). Disturbed Vitamin A Metabolism in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5793257/.

Villett, M. (2019). Why You Should Never Take Cod Liver Oil For Acne. Retrieved from: https://theskincareedit.com/2015/04/08/cod-liver-oil-acne.

Zhong, M. Kawaguchi, R. Kassai, M. Sun, H. (2012). Retina, retinol, retinal and the natural history of vitamin A as a light sensor. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23363998.

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.