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: support@nutreance.com
"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):
"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.
It is still possible to have a goitre from hilly and mountainous ground where local meat and milk supplies are local and may be less in iodine. Derbyshire Neck is a known term for a goitre. It does not have to be toxic to cause symptoms and many people are on the low normal level with tests. If people who have subclinical thyroid disease and are prescribed levo thyroxine they might be ill and have a rebound effect with a thyroid disease with too high a dose of iodine.I had a large goitre but took iodine in food with fish paste milk and dairy for six months. It has shrunk so it is not noticeable as before.
A research paper on girls in the Uk who have iron deficiency indicated that girls are not drinking enough milk which can prevent iodine sufficiency, as farmers add iodine to the feed of cows. Iodine deficiency may be more common than realised as kids like soft drinks and may not have enough fish meat and milk in their diet for iodine. Food for thought?
in reply to
That's interesting. Of course, all sorts of deficiencies can be caused by too restrictive diets. I've always liked milk and cheese, so not likely to be short there!
As you may know there is a difference between organic iodine and inorganic iodine. It is the former that can cause issues. Inorganic iodine has been used safely at much higher doses than the RDA.
The Article you referenced is about organic iodine.
I know there is a lot of concern about iodine but I do wonder if this is about organic iodine ie iodine that is bound to other atoms. Dr Guy Abraham’s explains this quite well.
However as with all supplements and treatments it’s best to work with a qualified practitioner.
Which article? Sometimes articles have been mislabelled when they are actually referring to organic iodine. Again Guy Abraham’s refers to this. His article is scientific.
The iodine crisis is a good lay friendly book by Lynne Farrow.
He was the mentor to Dr David Brownstein who is a family practice doctor in US specialising in thyroid diseases. Lots on you tube from David Brownstein
I am wary of exalting any one doctor as being the best for advice. Calling his work "Scientific" doesn't mean he is right in one particular matter. that isn't how science works.
The fact that so many of us here have been let down by "Scientific" people, especially endocrinologists, who of all people should understand some of the complexities of treating thyroid disorders, illustrates this only too well.
And the same is true of "Functional" and "alternative" physicians - probably more so. There are good, bad and middling in every area!
Abraham seems very heavy-handed in what he says about Fradkin and Wolff.
In 1983, Fradkin and Wolff 79 published a review on "iodide-induced thyrotoxicosis." Since organic forms contain iodine, not iodide, using "iodide" in the title implies we are dealing with the inorganic forms. However, in the first paragraph of that review, we read, "Three recent events have revived interest in this side reaction to iodide: alarming reports from Germany regarding the dangers to the thyroid gland of radiographic contrast media; the widespread use of the iodine-containing drug, amiodarone; and the proposed use of potassium iodide (KI) (100-200 mg/day) as the most effective protective measure against released radioactive iodine isotopes after loss of coolant accidents in nuclear reactors." This review was written before the drug amiodarone was approved for use in the US, after causing havoc in Europe. Amiodarone contains organic iodine. The use of inorganic iodine/iodide at 9 mg/day was never tested in similar patients as an alternative to amiodarone, a drug releasing about 9 mg iodine per day. It would not be surprising if 9 mg inorganic iodine/iodide/day resulted in the beneficial effects without the severs side effects.
The paper he refers to, unfortunately not available to me in full, just abstarct and first page, says:
In nonendemic areas, iodine-containing drugs such as amiodarone, radiographic contrast media or iodochlorhydroxyquinoline are implicated in IIT more often than iodides.
Which appears to me to show that they were 100% aware of the differences between organic and inorganic iodine compounds. They were setting the context at that point.
Further, Abraham happily speculates that inorganic iodine compounds would not have had the same side effects.
Is there a difference between taking organic and inorganic iodine re danger of overdosing? I know that inorganic calcium can cause a problem, as greygoose said in her recent thread; but I would think iodine is different because it is so difficult to excrete from the body. Also, iodine is apparently only used in producing thyroid hormones - Unlike most minerals which are useful for many bodily functions - so there is less leeway in the amount needed.
Those that advocate high doses of supplementary iodine always claim that most cells have iodine receptors, therefore the whole body needs iodine. I've often wondered how true that is.
Is iodine difficult to excrete from the body? It was (is?) for me, but another claim is that excess iodine is excreted in urine. Another contradiction?
I understand excess inorganic iodine is excreted in the urine. But you should work with an iodine literate practitioner of you wish you supplement with inorganic iodine.
Oh, believe me, I do not want to supplement with any sort of iodine! Been there, done that, got the clapped-out thyroid to show for it. I was just curious, that's all.
The pro-iodine lobby insist that iodine is used everywhere.
The anti-iodine lobby seem to say iodine is used only by the thryoid.
I say, each has some truth.
But what often seems to be ignored is that iodine is dynamically cycled and recycled in the body. A large proportion of iodine is delivered to the thyroid where it is absorbed, organified and released as thyroid hormone.
When thyroid hormone is converted (to T3, then T2, T1 even T0) iodine is released. Thus we could wonder if thyroid hormone, among its other facets, actually operates as a mechanism for delivering iodine right into cells.
Whatever is done with the iodine, it does eventually get released and a large proportion gets re-absorbed by the thyroid.
The paper below has something to say about high-iodine intake - though it is cautious not to overclaim.
Urinary Iodine Concentration and Mortality Among U.S. Adults
Iodine also has a role in immune defence, since it has antimicrobial properties. I've started using Betadine antiseptic cream again (first time since childhood!) for cuts and so on, with remarkably rapid healing effects - much better than standard antiseptics. I'm also using a few drops of Lugols sprinkled into a salt pipe and inhaling for sinusitis and a 'tight' chest. I'm finding it helps very quickly.
I do the same with a salt pipe and it has helped with my asthma. Good idea about the betadine.
Thank you. I get the impression that those who promote iodine supplements try to hide the fact that they are only needed by someone who is deficient. Or in rare medical procedures, such as emergency treatment for someone having a thyroid storm, or if being prepared for thyroid surgery.
I think it’s a fair point not to exalt one particular physician.
I have been following Brownstein for some time now and he has treated thousands of patients over the years.
I think the theories about the increase in iodine deficiency over the last 50 years linked to the competitive inhibition by other halides makes a lot of sense.
We know the exposure to fluoride and bromides has gone up significantly since the advent of flouride toothpaste (& water in some place) and bromides as food preservatives and flame retardants. The consequent deficiencies in iodine could be responsible for the increase in cancers or glandular tissues like breast, ovary , uterus, thyroid, pancreas and prostate.
Obviously do your own research and make your own decisions but If you get a chance read the iodine book byBrownstein or the lay friendly one by Lynne Farrow.
The use of inorganic iodine is getting some traction but it needs to be done under the care of an iodine literate practitioner as you can get bromide detox symptoms which are unpleasant.
All the best to all of you in your quest to be healthy and happy
You are right Helvella bromides in food preservatives is an issue in US but in UK we have medications eg asthma inhalers that have halides in them as do other drugs. These compete with iodine and bind to cell receptors.
i was supplementing iodine in november and have had hair loss ever since. its the worst its been right now. and i am convinced iodine started it. no idea how to help it
I had hair loss before I started taking iodine probably because of poor thyroid function but then it got worse for a couple of months when I started the iodine. The release of bromides from cell receptors as a result of replacement with iodine results in hair loss. Not a nice side effect of bromide detox!
By month 3 my hair loss stopped and actually it started growing more thickly.
its just relentless at the moment. so much comes out when i have a bath. its weird because i stopped iodine on the 7th of december and the last couple of weeks its been the worse its been! i thought it was iodine but maybe im wrong because its still going on. week 11. i have read a lot about the bromine thing... not sure im convinced!
There is hypothyroidism caused by deficiency in iodine. HOWEVER! my case confirms that if you are treated with lugols iodine ( high doses, when I was a little child) due to Chernobyl explosion, it could cause Hashimotos. Both my closest friends (same age) have Hashis , we were all given lugols, my mam has it, my neighbour has it, my mam's friend, the list goes on. Be careful also when you get MRI/CT Scan done with contrast ( contrast = iodine). I asked three times if it's safe and in the end the doctor said we won't do it if you have Hashis, although radiologist said it was safe... I don't go near any iodine, apart from seafood, which I like and some seaweed
Sounds like something from an alien movie my case was iodine CT scan, but good to know , I'll be steering clear of anything they want to pump into my veins, unless life threatening , but still then, don't wanna die from...gadolinium
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my case was iodine CT scan, but good to know , I'll be steering clear of anything they want to pump into my veins, unless life threatening , but still then, don't wanna die from...gadolinium 
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