"... iodine deficiency increases the risk of developing hypothyroidism (3). ...if you do not consume many iodine-rich foods then taking supplements is a convenient method to top your levels up (4). By eating seaweed, white fish, dairy and eggs you can provide your body with enough iodine for normal thyroid function (5). Adding iodised table salt to your food will also help to meet your iodine requirements..."
To be fair, they do say that most people don't need supplements; but at the same time they fail to warn that too much iodine can make hypothyroidism worse. However, I only know this because people here have said it. Does anyone have any solid evidence, for example eating foods high in iodine (seaweed especially?) can be harmful?
I'm thinking of contacting them, but need definite evidence. So if anyone can help...? Or maybe read the article and contact them as well.
Yes I read that and have started using iodised salt as I havent bothered with much salt for years as I do like sea food and figured I get plenty that way. I’m new. I’ll leave it out again x
I don't think there's that much iodine in iodised salt, or in fish. Normal eating probably won't do any harm at all. It's taking supplements when you don't need them that might cause problems. Not sure about shellfish.
I have read that they used to give iodine to control HYPERthyroidism. For some reason too much iodine suppresses thyroid production, which is the last thing you want if you are hypothyroid.
What brands of salt are iodised? I don’t tend to salt food but when I do I use either sea salt that I bought in France - from a region that produces salt, fleur de sel from the same region or else pink Himalayan salt.
I suspect they no longer stock it, but certainly Lidl used to have their own brand and other supermarkets might.
I'd like to point out that many commercial food products now are made with iodised salt - mostly those manufactured in Germany and Poland. (Poland has been very successful at increasing iodine intake and are now at the point where they need to consider some people might be at the top of range.)
Here in the UK iodine deficiency is rare. We get iodine from milk, yogurt, cod, haddock, scampi. And for those of us who take Levo there is iodine in that (but not as an added ingredient).
"Does anyone have any solid evidence, for example eating foods high in iodine (seaweed especially?) can be harmful?"
The evidence I have is that supplementing can be harmful (lots of info below). Most normal daily "iodine rich" foods don't contain enough to be harmful but consuming large amounts of kelp/seaweed is mentioned below ***
The British Thyroid Foundation has a "Thyroid and Diet Factsheet":
For people with a properly functioning thyroid iodine is essential as it is required for the production of thyroxine. It is particularly important in women who are pregnant as it is needed to ensure the development of a baby's brain during pregnancy and early life.
If you are taking levothyroxine for hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or for a goitre (thyroid swelling) there is no need to take iodine supplements.
If you are being treated for hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) taking an iodine supplement is unnecessary and can worsen the condition. The extra iodine can counteract the benefits of the anti-thyroid drugs.
•Seaweed and Kelp products contain a variable amount of iodine and are not routinely recommended as supplements as they can lead to excessive iodine intake.
I eat a lot of broccoli/kale/seafood does this interfere with my iodine absorption and affect my thyroid?
..........
*** Sea food contains iodine as does kelp and seaweed. If consumed in large amounts the iodine could damage the thyroid gland, especially if the person is more susceptible due to the presence of thyroid disease or thyroid abnormalities. People who eat vast amounts of kelp (which would provide excess iodine) have been known to have thyroid abnormalities. For this reason, kelp is not recommended. ***
I have read on the internet that taking kelp supplements is good for your thyroid/can help you lose weight. Is this true?
The short answer is no. In fact kelp supplements can damage your thyroid as they often contain excessive amounts of iodine, even if taken within the dose recommendations on the label.
I have been told by my doctor that I have a borderline thyroid disorder. Will kelp/iodine supplements help me?
Kelp or iodine supplements will almost certainly not help anyone with a borderline thyroid disorder because the disorder is probably an autoimmune condition. In fact kelp supplements could make things worse (see questions below).
I’ve just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, should I be taking iodised salt/iodine supplements?
There is no value in taking extra iodine if on levothyroxine as you are receiving manufactured hormone ready made without needing the raw material to make it yourself.
Is there any benefit in taking kelp (iodine) supplements when you have a thyroid disorder?
High dose iodine preparations such as kelp can lead to both hypo- and hyperthyroidism in susceptible individuals with an underlying thyroid disorder so are best avoided.
British Dietetic Association factsheet listing foods containing iodine:
I just emailed Medichecks, so we will see. I also suggested they should edit the similar comment on their iodine test page by adding a warning about taking too much. After all, they might sell more iodine tests that way!
It looks as if hardly anyone warns about the danger of overdose, especially for hypothyroid people. I wouldn't have known without reading it here.
It seems that these days most iodine deficiency is due to poor diet, especially not enough dairy foods. So milk intolerant people may need to supplement
Yes, it's true that it played a part, and I believe iodine was (maybe still is) used to clean the cows' teats as well.
From the British Dietetic Association:
"By the early part of the 20th century a goitre belt was described that extended from the West Country and included Derbyshire – where goitre was so common it was called ‘Derbyshire neck’. Iodine deficiency persisted until the 1960s and was eradicated, not by the usual practice of an iodised-salt programme, but through an adventitious increase in milk-iodine concentration and concurrent increase in milk consumption. Milk-iodine concentration increased as a result of changes in the dairy-farming industry with increased use of iodine-fortified cattle feed and iodine-containing disinfectants (iodophors). Between the 1950s and the 1980s, iodine intake increased three-fold and was sufficient to eradicate goitre; 7 it was subsequently assumed that iodine deficiency was not a problem in the UK."
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