Question on iodine

[guysgrams]

1-thyroid.com/

I was just recently on Facebook and this popped up in my feed. Can anyone give me thoughts on this. I recently posted a question about how much is too much and was told I believe that we don't need extra. There are so many things to read and try and digest. Who is right, who is incorrect? Thanks for your input.

[diogenes Remembering]

There are too many "snake-oil" salesmen posing as doctors who push the idea that we are generally deficient in iodine. As usual the truth lies in between: many people in the UK at least are iodine-sufficient but in some inland areas the chances of a degree of deficiency rise. Iodine should never be taken by those who are otherwise iodine sufficient; the risks of thyroid function disturbance especially with autoimmune symptoms accompanying the dysfunction are too great. Iodine is efficiently retained by the body through circulation of it via thyroxine production and breakdown. Therefore very little is sufficient.

[guysgrams in reply to diogenes]

Thank you

[jimh111]

It does seem that some of the UK population are now somewhat iodine deficient, see clinmed.rcpjournal.org/cont... . However, I would not take iodine supplements unless you have been tested by a reputable doctor who prescribes the iodine. Perhaps the best approach is to include some iodine rich foods in your diet such as fish and milk. Note that organic milk is not high in iodine as organic farmers do not rinse the equipment with iodine prior to milking.

[guysgrams in reply to jimh111]

Thanks

[helvella Administrator]

That link includes the claim

Question 2: Can I take too much iodine?

You can’t harm yourself by taking “too much” iodine.

That is, flat out, wrong. Lots of people have been harmed by too much iodine - even in conventional medicine. For example, use as a disinfectant round operating sites, use as a medicine for Graves or as an iodine compound such as amiodarone, or use as a contrast agent. Even use as a "traditional" cut disinfectant at home can cause some people skin problems.

I don't trust anyone who would make that claim.

[guysgrams in reply to helvella]

Thank you

[greygoose]

An article that started out 'Dear Health Conscious Friend' would always make me suspicious. It's just too cheesy and really smacks of snake oïl. lol I absolutely agree with diogenes!

[guysgrams]

Thanks