via urine testing it showed I had a iodine deficiency. The result was 88, ranges are 200-2000. I believe all my deficiencies (vitamins and minerals) are a result of untreating hypothyroidism for 6 years.
When I discovered the iodine deficiency I talked to my GP and she said she didn't know what to do with it. So that was it..I can't ignore it so I talked to my naturopathic doctor (she helps me with the right vitamine + mineral supplements and dose). She said I needed to take iodine and a lot to solve this.
So I'm taking capsules which contain 400mcg iodine, 200mcg selenium, 20mg zinc.
I also take liquid iodine, she told me to increase 5 drops a week till a maximum of 40 drops. 1 drop contains 75mcg iodine.
I'm now taking the capsules and 10 drops so this is a total of 1170mcg.
I'm a bit confused as I also read this is dangerous. I don't have antibodies. Is this okay? I'm now 4 weeks on 75mcg levo.
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You can't take this much iodine indefinitely. The daily recommended intake is 150 mcg iodine. But if your thyroid is depleted, then it takes a while to get it up to speed. Did she tell you for how to take this much?
I recently saw this doctor on You Tube advising against taking iodine...it surprised me. He also has other videos on 24 reasons why you still have hypothyroid symptoms. He has many postgraduate credentials and seems to deeply understand endocrinology/physiology/neurology:
Hi Joly, I've posted Dr. Clark's videos probably hundreds of times over the past year and think he has exposed how little most endos know about Hashimoto. BUT I still don't understand why iodine would cause our immune system to target the thyroid since they appear to target very specific parts like TPO or THs. Plus, iodine is an extremely important mineral for all of us. And even WE need iodine so I hope there is a better answer out there. Read articles about Halides and you will see what I mean.
my gp told me it wasnt ideal for a person with thyroid problems to take iodine or kelp but i wonder how much and for how long it would take before any damage if any was done. does anyone know?
Groan, head in hands I do despair; so many Specialists come across as "knowing the correct answer". My own adrenal specialist who has good credentials has recommended I take a flat teaspoon of kelp each day as part of his recommended regime. This is flying in the face of Dr. Clark's recommendations. Quite honestly I do not know if I am just hypothyroid or have an autoimmune disease, I was under the impression that all thyroid issues resulted from auto immune issues. I am not feeling any side effects at the moment from my regime but certainly do not want to end up with Hashimotos, but there again I have not been tested for this.
Ask your Endo, well I only got to see a trainee Doctor at my last Endo appointment who jotted down questions and answers then trotted off to see the Endo himself who just said send her for a synacthen test, no mention at all of testing my thyroid levels. I asked the trainee Doctor if my thyroid could be tested at the same time and he said this could be arranged. A nurse rang to give me an appointment for the synacthen test but had no knowledge of any tests for my thyroid and said this would have to be sanctioned by the Endo. Well I did not get to see the Endo only a trainee so am going round and round in circles, what does one do? It is unbelievable that the NHS Doctors are not tying up the thyroid with the adrenals as a matter of course. From an adrenal crash at the beginning of September last year I have waited until the 11th Feb for this NHS synacthen test, NHS would not recognise my private Genova adrenal saliva stress test, in the meantime I am taking supplements including kelp, cannot afford to consult yet another opinion. Totally bewildered.
Quite honestly I do not know if I am just hypothyroid or have an autoimmune disease
This probably makes a difference.
I've had Hashimoto's and have also taken some iodine although all the negative information caused some worry. It's very important to the human body. You can buy Iodoral which has a combination of iodide and iodine. Breast tissue used one kind and thyroid uses the other. You can also buy iodine in 1 mg. tablets.
I started reading up on iodine a few years ago when I found that a certain syndrome was associated with iodine deficiency. That's when I discovered the fact that a lot of people, especially those not living by the oceans, are more than likely deficient. Not much is gained by iodized salt and they were no longer putting it in bread, plus displacing it with bromine which is harmful, and that the soil is also becoming depleted. Not only are thyroid disorders brought about by low iodine, I also wonder if breast cancer is also in part caused by low iodine and as we see, the incidence of breast cancer rises every year and the death rate is almost the same. Women could use Lugol's solution to rid themselves of fibrocystic breast disease which many women also have.
Looks like you are quoting USA sources. Which is fine because that is what applies to you.
Bromine is banned in Europe.
I am not aware of iodised salt being used in bread in the UK?
It is always difficult to be sure about apparent demographic features but there is still quite a lot of thyroid disorder in Japan despite probably being the highest consumers of iodine in the world.
Iodine has an extremely complex "life" in the environment with clouds taking a surprisingly large part in its circulation around the globe. I am not at all convinced that soil is (in general) becoming iodine depleted. Certainly, it does get washed away from high ground, but that has always been happening.
The UK rate is the same as US, 1 in 8 women. Twenty years ago it was about 1 in 12. I'm certain that toxins are involved but I think iodine deficiency may also be involved.
I do consume sea fish regularly - as well as dairy, and at least some of my food contains iodised salt. So I think I am towards the less likely end of the scale. I am also getting the 65% or so of my levothyroxine which is iodine. When you add that in, I really doubt I am now iodine-deficient, even if once I could have been.
If it was offered for free, I'd be happy be to co-operate.
I had a bad day last week. My antivirus reported a threat on my computer but they countered it. A few hours later my c.c. company said that my credit card was used to make a purchase. Fortunately they cancelled it before no more than $30 was charged at a store selling crude tee shirts. Therefore, I'm becoming very cautious, actually, I've always been cautious with both but anyway...no urine test for you, lol.
While reading about iodine I ran across this: the chlorine used in bleaching white salt almost diffuses any iodine added to the salt. So I hope you are not counting on that
I know that we should take some information with a grain of salt. Oh wait!
Which sort of iodine does breast tissue use? Do you think it is possible to take it in a form that will keep breast tissue healthy, but not cause thyroid problems? I am worried about the role of iodine in breast health, as I avoid it to keep my thyroid antibodies down. Thanks
Heloise, I totally agree with what you have said. I had a test for Iodine which showed my levels were very low-20 when normal is 150-200. So I read a lot and especially David Brownstein, "Iodine, why you need it" and also "The Iodine crisis" by Lynne Farrow, both books extremely informative and helpful. The cystic breast disease discussion was of particular interest to me.
I am now taking one drop per day of Lugols iodine and will increase to 2 drops after a month and then get re tested in a couple of months. (Genova) I am on 100mcg levo and a year ago had raised TPO, which i managed to reduce by going Gluten free.
I do think there could be a hidden epidemic of people low in Iodine, due to diet, environment etc and am amazed that thyroid patients are not tested routinely to establish their levels!! There agian getting tested for thyroid issues is a battle anyway!
Hi Crimple, good for you to be so intelligent I'll be interested in how it goes. The doctor I followed for years suggested Lugols. He had a different protocol but I found this: Lugol's iodine
Consists of 10 parts potassium iodide KI to 5 parts iodine to 85 parts distilled water.
It is an effective bactericide and fungicide and is a common antiseptic.
As a Supplement 3% One drop 1.45 mg
One drop daily for general health.
I think Dr. Stoll had an increasing regimen to 17 drops but perhaps yours will work and less radical.
There is probably a little truth in both taking and avoiding iodine with Hashimoto but I'm sure we still need SOME and we know chlorine, fluorine and bromine may be at the bottom of deficiencies since we get lots more of all those. Rod tells me bromides are banned in the UK but it is in certain materials like carseats, etc. so I wonder if we can avoid it.
Yes, Heloise I did as David B suggests and drank filtered water with celtic sea salt and took extra B vits over a period of 4 weeks before taking the Iodine. I have a mouth full of Hg fillings and have had cystic breast disease! I now drink filtered water most of the time, so as to avoid Chlorine if nothing else.
Joy, look up the iodine ingredients in food. Kelp is a teeny amount. I have taken the 1 mg pill. I think they say Japanese women get 12 mgs . Check it out yourself, I'm trying to remember from years ago and too busy right now. We still need iodine.
It can be quite bewildering! I have managed to gently increase my iodine consumption (although my results were low but not as low as yours) by adding rock salt to every glass of water & eating haddock once or twice a week. Salted water also helps to support adrenal fatigue. Iodine is v controversial, but it is another substance that is disappearing from our food chain. I am not medicated, so less risk for me, i think that is likely to be your main concern about whether it will work against them. I would all your symptoms 3 x per day so you can review & then take another iodine test in 3 weeks.
Have you had your iron/ferritin levels checked? Without good levels your body will find it hard to absorb any minerals/vitamins.
From personal expericience, I would totally disagree with that. Taking iodine made everything worse for me. I don't think I would be in the state I am now if I hadn't taken iodine in my 30's. I doubt I needed it, but nobody tested. I have also read that too much iodine can provoke thyroid cancer, so I would be very careful if I were you.
your reaction could have been from detoxing of toxins in your system, a lot of people doing the iodine protocol go through it, plus they take rock salt, b12 and other stuff to make ease the detoxing side effects. You obviously didn't know whats going on and since there was very little info 30 years ago as opposed to the vast info on the net these days. The doctors don't know much and wont help even if they do know. I wish my doctors had suggested it 13 years ago when I started suffering from insomnia, took me years to find this miracle drug and im thankful to the Lord Almighty
I wonder where you have read about iodine? Dr Brownstein treats thyroid cancer succesfully with iodine. There are a lot of misinformation about iodine as well as many other conditions and treatments. I educate myself by extensive reading of alternative treatments by thoroughly educated holistic doctors that are not afraid going against the mainstream and thereby succeding in helping a lot of people that have not got proper help from conventional doctors. I guess that your condition could stem from other things than the iodine you took. I can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what causes what, if you understand what I mean
Japanese health statistics linked to high seaweed intake
The Japanese are considered one of the world's longest living people, with an extraordinarily low rate of certain types of cancer. A major dietary difference that sets Japan apart from other countries is high iodine intake, with seaweeds the most common source. Here are some astonishing Japanese health statistics, which are possibly related to their high seaweed consumption and iodine intake:
-Japanese average life expectancy (83 years) is five years longer than US average life expectancy (78 years) [41].
-In 1999 the age-adjusted breast cancer mortality rate was three times higher in the US than in Japan [42].
-Ten years after arriving in the US (in 1991), the breast cancer incidence rate of immigrants from Japan increased from 20 per 100,000 to 30 per 100,000 [43].
-In 2002 the age-adjusted rate of prostate cancer in Japan was 12.6 per 100,000, while the US rate was almost ten times as high [44].
-Heart related deaths in men and women aged 35-74 years are much higher in the US (1,415 per 100,000) as they are in Japan (897 per 100,000) [45].
-In 2004, infant deaths were over twice as high in the US (6.8 per 1,000) as they were in Japan (2.8 per 1,000) [46].
Yes, that youtube video is what I mean, he is against taking iodine. So you read about docters who recommend taking iodine (some even say 12mg) and others who say it's dangerous.
Because I'm also taking levo I'm afraid it will not go together. My naturopathic doctor only said it takes time to fix iodine deficiency, she didn't mention how long exactly. She also said I shouldn't increase my levo dose to quickly because of the iodine. I get my blood tested every 6 weeks.
I asked my GP if she can retest iodine and she said she can't. So I don't know yet how to do that. (I got this tested in a research project so can't do it again the same way)
By the nature of any thyroid condition what is good for one is not necessarily effective for another so before ruling anything in (or out)its worth doing what you are doing which is asking the question and getting informed.
For me Dr Brownstein's protocol seems to make good sense and is one that I've been following for a short time. According to him there is misinformation or misunderstandings about the dangers, types and methods of iodine supplementation (recommended daily dose,kelp etc).
This video is long (1hr30) but worth sticking with because it helps provide the basis of his approach which is geared to the patient. As you have guessed from the answers above iodine supplementation isn't like popping a vitamin c pill, it needs far more actions and a decent understanding and for me, this guy was a real eye opener. Good luck!
Hi Flowers, I have always hoped people would not be threatened by iodine. The urine test shows that you dumped most of the huge dose they gave you because you couldn't absorb it. I'm not sure if it is because receptors are "full" of bromides and fluorides which are toxic and displace iodine or what the mechanics of it are but iodine is so important in so many ways....it's even a disinfectant internally as it is on the outside.
Will they continue to monitor through urine testing until you stop dumping so much of the iodine you are taking? I don't know how it can harm you if they do this. We will be anxious to hear whether it makes a different to your low thyroid.
Japanese health statistics linked to high seaweed intake
The Japanese are considered one of the world's longest living people, with an extraordinarily low rate of certain types of cancer. A major dietary difference that sets Japan apart from other countries is high iodine intake, with seaweeds the most common source. Here are some astonishing Japanese health statistics, which are possibly related to their high seaweed consumption and iodine intake:
-Japanese average life expectancy (83 years) is five years longer than US average life expectancy (78 years) [41].
-In 1999 the age-adjusted breast cancer mortality rate was three times higher in the US than in Japan [42].
-Ten years after arriving in the US (in 1991), the breast cancer incidence rate of immigrants from Japan increased from 20 per 100,000 to 30 per 100,000 [43].
-In 2002 the age-adjusted rate of prostate cancer in Japan was 12.6 per 100,000, while the US rate was almost ten times as high [44].
-Heart related deaths in men and women aged 35-74 years are much higher in the US (1,415 per 100,000) as they are in Japan (897 per 100,000) [45].
-In 2004, infant deaths were over twice as high in the US (6.8 per 1,000) as they were in Japan (2.8 per 1,000) [46].
be very careful. Usually the liquid Iodines are in mg, not mcg. A popular one is Lugol's. Iodine is a trigger for Hashimoto's, or can exacerbate it. I was put on Lugol's, 8 drops a day ( 50 mg ) and had problems. I learned to start low and go slow. Also make sure to have adequate selenium and iron to handle the Iodine. They all balance and work together for your thyroid.
Fluoride can bind to Iodine, so watch that it isn't inhibiting things.
very wise words Artemiss. That's why it is so important to read as much as possible and understand the science behind taking Iodine. Because of my Hashi's I am being ultra cautious, but nothing ventured nothing gained! I am not surprised you had problems with 8 drops lugols, must be equivalent to giving a newly diagnosed hypo patient 100 mcg thyroxine immediately!!
Today's news is full of info about the increase in cancer in population. Now 1 in 2 will get some form of it. They blame smoking, lack of exercise and obesity. Pity so few medics are clued up on what Vits and minerals our bodies need. We are better informed on that topic than the vast majority of them. I go back to the analogy, you don't put petrol in a diesel car!
I did have breast cancer...so that was the biggest reason I was on Iodine. I had been on Iodoral tabs, 1 tab twice a day and did ok. My Doctor died and then another doctor put me on the Lugol's in such a haphazard way. The high dose Lugol's wasn't good, I think I started swinging between hyper and hypo thyroidism....like having Bipolar and this scared me from using Iodine.
I did some reading on it and there is controversy about taking it. I've wondered if what I get in my multivitamin is enough ( 150 mcg ) and should leave it at that. Maybe I should look at Iodine again. I saw the post on the Japanese, but it doesn't say what the average person takes in, with Iodine, a day.
Sounds good. in the chris kresser article, he stressed that having adequate selenium is a big factor is tolerating Iodine supplementation. I know Brazil nuts are high in selenium, only 1 or 2 nuts have your daily requirement in them.
In one of these articles I see that iodine consumption by the Japanese people has been over estimated . It has something to do with wet or dry seaweed. They measured the iodine in actual meals and decided they consume more like 1 to 3 mgs. rather than 12 mgs. that was proposed earlier.
If you delete every post of yours, just because someone was critical of you and complained, you may end up deleting your posts into the wee small hours.
If you're satisfied with your post, leave it in. Just my opinion! Not a complaint!
Hi Londinium, your right of course and thank you for your message.. I just thought this was a site where everyone wants to help others. Just my opinion..
Please don't delete your posts. This topic has helped me and I'm sure many others. Iodine is still a difficult subject in hypothyroidism, that's for sure. There are many opinions, statistics and protocols. It has helped me to make a plan, I will take this high iodine dose for now and wil retest, if the deficiency is solved I will take a normal dose.
Today I bought the book of Izabella Wentz (very interesting), she states dat people with Hashimoto's should take less iodine, not more than 100mcg (RDA is 150mcg). Also she states that if you take iodine it's really important to take this together with selenium (200-400mcg).
So you see, there are many opinions and I believe there is still not proved if iodine is bad or not. A deficiency will always cause more harm I think..
Thank you , I also have Hashimoto's and like you are looking for answers. Another really good book is
the Iodine Crisis by Lynne farrow with a foreword by David Brownstein MD. There is a lot to learn and what may help one will not help another but we must keep looking for answers.
Well I think everyone should try iodine to see what happens - answers on a postcard - PM me & I'll ask for a poll. (You could try testing if low first 'tho).
if you are taking levo or other thyroid hormone bear in mind they all contain iodine - e.g. T4 =4 iodine molecules (tell me if wrong) (also probably contains nuts).
Iodized salt is readily available at Lidl - for under 20p - most European states supplement - not widely known in the UK 'tho.
If you don't want to try iodine - try seafood - live oysters are especially good. J
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I'm sure we would love to see the results of that since you are neither female nor have Hashimoto's, right? 
patient consent issue- can an endocrinologist take a urine iodine test-- 
Anyone taking Thyro Gold? Gathering my research to face Doc next week. What about Lugols iodine?
Hashimoto's and Iodine Supplementation
Iodine 
