IODINE!!!

There have been a few posts lately about supplements containing iodine.

It seems counter-intuitive that iodine can harm thyroid function even though . There are probably hundreds, even thousands, of health supplement manufacturers and suppliers that sell seaweed pills or thyroid "Tonics" containing iodine.

Perhaps I'm being too alarmist, and it's true that a small amount of supplements probably won't do much harm, if any. But the fact that so many innocent souls (including on here) are convinced by the claims of these people makes me angry!

So much so, that a recent question about Thyrogard prompted an email to the manufacturers!

TO: [e-mail]

"Hi, I am hypothyroid. Someone mentioned "Thyrogard" so I took a look at your website.

The ingredients are listed as:

Tyrosine, kelp, Bladderwrack and turmeric.

Do you warn patients of the need to check iodine levels before taking an iodine containing supplement?

Of course, iodine deficiency can cause thyroid problems even in healthy people, but for someone who is not deficient, especially if they are hypothyroid, it can make them worse! Also, thyroid hormones already contain both tyrosine and iodine, so anyone on thyroid replacement therapy is very unlikely to be deficient.

I am based in the UK, where iodine deficiency is rare. If you sell Thyrogard here you may be committing a breach of the Trade Descriptions Act. No doubt there are similar laws in America.

Here is a quote from a study on the subject (emphasis added):

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Consequences of excess iodine

"Recommended daily iodine intake is 150 μg in adults who are not pregnant or lactating. Ingestion of iodine or exposure above this threshold is generally well-tolerated. However, in certain susceptible individuals, including those with pre-existing thyroid disease, the elderly, fetuses and neonates, or patients with other risk factors, the risk of developing iodine-induced thyroid dysfunction might be increased. Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism as a result of supraphysiologic iodine exposure might be either subclinical or overt, and the source of the excess iodine might not be readily apparent."

You could still sell Thyrogard if you add a warning to test for iodine. Or may perhaps reduce the amount of seaweed to levels less likely to be harmful.

Yours sincerely...