Does anyone know what a therapeutic dose of iodine is? David Brownstein treats thyroid disease with large doses but the was a recent docuseries by Alan Christianson saying the exact opposite and that it is too much that causes thyroid disease. The docu series is finished but the Q&A is still on YouTube.
I am so confused. Has anyone used the Brownstein method with success?
I thought Iodine stops your thyroid from working. Why do you want to take it?
For detox mainly, so I will need to get tested.
No iodine should be taken unless tests show you are iodine deficient. I was taking a multivitamin that gave me 100% of my daily iodine plus I eat lots of seafood and a balanced diet. That extra 100% iodine caused my functional thyroid to go haywire.
Guineapiggy
Iodine deficiency can be a cause of hypothyroidism; however, this is rare in the UK as we get a good amount of iodine from diet in milk, yogurt, white fish, etc.
Iodine solution used to be used to treat hypERthyroidism before the introduction of the current radioactive iodine treatment. Iodine can make hypOthyroidism worse. It's particularly cautioned against when Hashimoto's is present.
I was primarily interested in its use in heavy metal detox but for this Dr Brownstein uses 12-50mg/day. I don't want it to make my thyroid function worse by doing this.
Guineapiggy
In that case I would do a non-loading iodine test first. If you are deficient then supplementing under the guidance of an experienced practioner may help. If you are not deficient then I would advise caution and not take iodine.
Genova Diagnostics do this test, you will need to use ThyroidUK as your "practioner". Details here:
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Test code is END25
Urine Iodine Test:
Specimen requirements: Urine
Cost:£71.00Order
Code: END25
Turnaround time: 5 -10days
Iodine is an essential trace element, vital for healthy thyroid function. Adequate levels are required to enable the production of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, whilst also being required in other areas of health. Deficiencies can lead to impaired heat and energy production, mental function and slow metabolism. Urine iodine is one of the best measures of iodine status. This test is not performed as a loading test, but can be used to establish existing levels or to monitor iodine supplementation.
Many thanks. I am working with a private doctor but I think he uses a Biolabs test. I'll look at both to compare.
Iodine has been used to treat BOTH hyper and hypo conditions. You take if deficient and stop when you reach sufficiency.
Thanks.
I was going to try iodine drops but after asking on here decided against it because it’s in NDT I’m taking & dangerous to take if you don’t know if you’re deficient without testing & most people in U.K. aren’t.
Thanks. I will test first after reading everyone's comments.
This is an old chain but I figured I’d chime in. I have been dx with hypothyroidism based on classic hypo symptoms, but with normal TSH. Unfortunately my T3 and T4 weren’t tested prior to my starting thyroid meds so I don’t have a baseline. Now they are in relatively optimal range since I’ve been on Armour thyroid. I feel better now, but not 100 percent.
I have been working with a functional practitioner- she’s fine but not particularly experienced with hypo issues. But she does test everything under the sun and she tested my iodine and interestingly, it has been consistently low. I’d never thought about it before. And there are very strong opinions about iodine on here as I’m sure you’ve seen. When I’ve posted asking about it, people will immediately tell me how bad of an idea it is, while glossing over that I have actually tested as deficient. But I have to say, I believe assuming that our diets provide us sufficient amounts is potentially short sighted. Many of us who have found ourselves on here are already eating restricted diets bc of our issues- no gluten, limited starches, limited dairy- the often recommended anti inflammatory diet for hypo limits many sources of iodine from our food. Interestingly I’d also switched to a non iodized salt some years ago, thinking it was more healthy. And I’m not a big eater of fish. I like it, but I don’t eat it often.
I read brownsteins book and found it interesting, with connections I’d never made before- the symptoms of low iodine track my hypo symptoms, with the addition of some other issues I’ve never connected like fibrocystic breast tissue which I suffer from. So I’ve just started supplementing with Lugol. Just moderately. Every other day. And although it’s early, one thing I’ve noticed is makes me feel almost immediately more alert and clear headed and that I have more energy. I’m going to keep on it and monitor it carefully. Brownstein notes that many already on thyroid meds need to reduce or completely taper off their meds. I might be one of those people.
If you’re also supplementing I’d love to stay in touch to see how you’re doing.
Just moderately.
Which could be any amount! Your impression or interpretation of moderate could be a few tens of micrograms through to many milligrams.
It is often said people should test to find out of they are low in iodine. That being done before taking any.
If low, it is implicitly reasonable to take some iodine - or ensure an increase in food sources. But some recommendations are for many, many tens of milligrams. When the standard daily requirement is usually suggested as around 150 micrograms.
Lol. I tested low for iodine. So yes, I am supplementing moderately. Even the suggestion of this seems to bother certain people. It is very curious.
IODINE!!!
Armour - how much should I take?
Iodine - Can It Really Be That Bad?
Hypothyroidism and iodine
Radioactive iodine 
