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Iodine is an essential trace element, recognized for its cornucopia of important health benefits, including the traditional role it plays in the production of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism and energy production throughout the body and, in turn, affect core body temperature, growth, reproduction, proteins for the hair and skin, and the health of the muscles and joints. (1,2) Thus, iodine can pack a much-needed punch in keeping us healthy and vital.
In addition to its well-known role in thyroid health, iodine has antioxidant activity, and plays a critical role in intellectual development, hormone balance, and breast and reproductive system health. (2-8) While much of the body’s iodine is concentrated in the thyroid and thyroid hormones, 70% of the body’s iodine is distributed in other tissues, including the breasts, ovaries, eyes, stomach, cervix, and salivary glands. (3,8,9) In fact, nursing mothers have more iodine in the breast tissue than in the thyroid gland.
Sources of Iodine
Iodine must be obtained from the diet or in supplement form. Iodine intake through regular seaweed consumption – as seen in Japanese populations, for example – is naturally higher than in other populations. Current estimates put the Japanese daily intake of iodine from seaweed at 1-3 mg/day (10); but previous estimates have been much higher, such as 5.3-13.8 mg/day, and even as high as 50-80 mg/day! (2,3) As we will see below, there are varying recommendations for the optimal daily intake for iodine.
In other regions, the iodine content of food depends upon the presence and availability of iodine in the soil in which the food is grown. In many countries, table salt and cattle feed have been fortified with iodine to help consumers meet minimum intake requirements. For instance, universal salt iodization was instituted to reduce the prevalence of goiter. (11) It is interesting to note that over the last 25 years, the consumption of iodized table salt by US citizens has actually decreased by 65% as a result of people trying to reduce their sodium intake for health reasons. (2)
How Much Iodine Do You Need?
The exact amount of iodine the body needs is a controversial topic. The US recommended daily intake for iodine is 150 mcg/day for adults, and the FDA’s limit is set at 1 mg/day. Among functional medicine practitioners, there is no consensus on the actual human requirement for daily iodine. Some believe that individual iodine requirements hinge upon the exposure to our consumption of goitrogens – substances in food or the environment that interfere with iodine utilization or thyroid hormone production. Examples of goitrogens include toxic halides (fluoride and bromide), organochlorides, perchlorates, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, soy, and several other foods. (1)
According to some iodine experts, the requirement of the whole human body for iodine is about 14 mg/day or more (6 mg/day needed for the thyroid gland, the rest for extra-thyroidal tissues). (12)
Doses ranging from 3 mg/day up to 50 mg/day have been used successfully in clinical practice. (2,11,13). Furthermore, it is a little-known fact that under certain circumstances, high doses of potassium iodide (up to 130 mg per day) can be used to saturate the thyroid and protect it in the event of a nuclear accident. (14)
Iodine for Breast Health
Next to the thyroid gland, the breasts and ovaries concentrate the most iodine. (3,9) The relationship between breast health and iodine levels has been studied for decades, and it has been proposed that inadequate iodine prohibits normal breast architecture from developing. (11) Moderately high doses of supplemental iodine have been used to promote breast comfort after animal and human studies suggested that such a protocol would have positive effects. For instance, one such study investigated the effect of high doses of iodine on breast health in women with normal thyroid function. The 3 and 6 mg/day doses resulted in significant improvement in breast comfort. (4,5) (It is important to note that individuals with a history of autoimmune thyroid pathologies were excluded from the study.)
Iodine Supplementation
A urine test is an accurate way to gauge your iodine levels before considering high dose iodine supplementation. A urinary spot test from your doctor can be a helpful screening, but the most precise measure of your iodine needs is a 24-hour urinary load test kit.
Based on a urine test, supplemental iodine has been found to be safe and well-tolerated in the non-organic, non-radioactive iodine/iodide form. (12) LifeSpa’s Iodine HP reflects the forms and ratios of iodine found in Lugol’s solution – a liquid combination of molecular iodine and potassium iodide that has been safely and effectively employed since 1829. (3,15,16) Iodine HP provides 12.5 mg of iodine per capsule, with a breakdown of 5 mg of molecular iodine and 7.5 mg of potassium iodide. Individuals should consult their healthcare practitioner prior to using high dosages of iodine regarding any medical conditions, including thyroid conditions, and any possible interactions with medications.
For maintenance, immunity, and breast health, I recommend 1-3 mg/day of iodine, which is about 1 capsule of Iodine HP per week or two. Based on your iodine levels, in healthy doses, this multi-faceted mineral can support your body’s function and vitality in myriad ways!
What are your iodine levels like? Are you supplementing with healthy levels of iodine in your diet?
Christine says
I’ve been taking around 14mg per day after results that I am sightly hypothyroid levels on my blood test 3 months ago. I will try to update this once I hear the results of my re-test whether it has helped. I’ve experienced no negative side effects now that my body is getting proper iodine regularly, but when I started this supplement I did experience detox symptoms from the fluoride and other heave metals leaving the body.
james smith says
my iodine supplement is 150 mcg. how many grams is that, and is 150 mcg. safe, and what is the max. of iodine per day.????????????? thank you.
angie leslie says
regarding the “calcification” of the pineal gland, are there any studies that show this, and how it descales itself after adding iodine? these terms sound quite scary and I want to know how they are seen and reversed. I have yet to hear any endocrinologist use these terms in consultation
LifeSpa Staff says
Hi Angie, thank you for reaching out. Here is a list of referenced for this particular article:
Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center. Iodine. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iodine/#safety. Accessed March 19, 2015.
Miller D. Extrathyroidal benefits of iodine. Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. 2006;11(4):106-10. http://www.jpands.org/vol11no4/millerd.pdf. Accessed March 17, 2015.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18590348
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8221402
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15239792
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/58152
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10710195
Natural Medicines: Iodine. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=35. Accessed March 20, 2015.
Iodine and the body. Iodine Research Web site. http://iodineresearch.com/ovaries.html. Accessed March 30, 2015.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21975053
Brownstein D. Clinical experience within organic non-radioactive iodine/iodide. http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-09/IOD_09.htm. Accessed March 17, 2015.
Abraham GE. Orthoiodosupplementation: iodine sufficiency of the whole human body. http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-02/IOD_02.htm. Accessed March 17, 2015.
Flechas JD. Orthoiodosupplementation in a primary care practice. http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-10/IOD_10.htm. Accessed March 18, 2015.
Frequently asked questions on potassium iodide (KI). US Food and Drug Administration Web site. http://www.fda.gov/drugs/EmergencyPreparedness/bioterrorismanddrugpreparedness/ucm072265.htm. Updated October 27, 2014. Accessed January 22, 2013.
Abraham GE. The safe and effective implementation of orthoiodosupplementation in medical practice. The Original Internist. 2004; 11:17-36. [On file]
Abraham GE, Flechas JD, Hakala JC. Optimum levels of iodine for greatest mental and physical health. The Original Internist. 2002;9:5-20. [On file]
donna says
How about transdermally? I was hyperthyroid, probably still am, and was told in 2000 that, if I didn’t drink the radioactive iodine, I’d be dead in two years. I declined but I’m still alive, really. I just left a really stressful situation and started to take care of myself a bit better. I started the transdermal iodine a few months ago becasue I understood there was no possibility of taking too much or too little this way, that your body would take up what was needed. I figured I was deficient because it always disappeared after a couple of hours. Recently, I developed bright red spots on the skin of my forearms. I had been applying the iodine on my inner arm near there. These appear on my outer arm. My neighbour says it’s from thin blood but I read that something similar-looking can be from bromine poisoning. Unlike bromine poisoning, the spots are flat, not raised, and bleed when they are scratched. Sometimes, they’re itchy. As soon as I saw them, I stopped the transdermal iodine. I was using plain, old tincture of iodine. Is this where the red spots came from or should I continue with the transdermal iodine for my thyroid?
Julia says
I went into temporary hyperthyroid from transdermal application
(confirmed by diagnostic testing). I did 1 month at 25,200mg per day applied to the breasts for breast cancer prevention (I had received a bad breast result). My naturopath said she had never before seen this happen – she also thought that there was no possibility of too much being absorbed through the skin. My opinion, not my naturopath: one possibility is that the breast tissue became saturated with iodine and that resulted in more bioavailability to the rest of the body. Studies have shown between 6-12% absorption of iodine when applied to the skin, depending on altitude, body temperature, etc. So at the high end I could have been absorbing 3000mg per day, which was too much for my thyroid. Even though the yellow color of the idoine disappeared in a couple of hours (which usually means you need more iodine) I went into hyperthyroid. My thyroid function normalized again when I stopped the iodine.
Sophie Hawkins says
Can’t we just eat more seaweed rather than take a supplement?
Sheley says
Can you take iodine while on Armour Thyroid?
Miranda says
I read that taking a supplement called atp cofactor which contains vitamins b2 and b3 is helpful to take with iodine. Do you reccommend this as well?
John Douillard says
Hi Miranda,
I would suggest taking a 24 hour urine load iodine test to find out your exact iodine levels. You can read up about our home test kit here: http://store.lifespa.com/iodine_deficiency_test.html or check with a local lab.
If you are going to take only 1 mg of iodine a day, then that is fine. If you are thinking of taking a higher more clinical dose I would suggest a test first.
Be well,
John
Milena says
Have you had any experience with breast lumps and yodine levels and supplements? I have recurring breast lumps. One 6-7 years ago, which was bening and I still operated it… Now I have two more near the same location. I was told to take Iodoral by a gynecologist who is a DO.
Thank you!
Rebeca says
I am allergic to shellfish and I have been told that it’s because of the iodine and one time one drop of iodine contrast went into my body and was immediately sick. Is this the same iodine u advertise? Should I take it?
Dana Lamm says
Do any of the big labs, i.e. Labcorp, offer the 24 hr urine testing?
Thank you!
John Douillard says
Hi Dana,
It looks like Labcorp has a 24 hr urine test on their website. Other big labs probably have the tests as well. The 24 hour one that we sell in the LifeSpa store is from a local lab.
Carmela says
Can iodine be used in treating hypothyroidism? If so how much?
Eleonore says
Is Iodine contained in Spirulina ?
John Douillard says
Hi Eleonore,
Yes, spirulina contains iodine in varying amounts.
Denet says
Is iodine supplementation advised for the autoimmune Hoshimotos Thyroiditis patient? I have read conflicting opinions.