Iodine Is Not The Bad Guy: Have you ever wondered... - Thyroid UK

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Iodine Is Not The Bad Guy

dtate2016 profile image
81 Replies

Have you ever wondered why more women than men end up with Hashimotos? And why, of those women, many develop hypothyroidism after pregnancy? It happened to me, and to many other women. Medical science is slowly piecing it together, and there are many variables, both on this continent and others, including the UK.

I've been shouting to the mountaintops (here in the US) the role that iodine has to play both in the development of Hashimotos, and the cure / remission. I'm far from the only one to speak about the perils of too much iodine, perhaps the least among those who have found their way to health and life, post Hashimotos. The blog article below offers some of the latest research, at long last. This battle is turning. Many will find their way to freedom from the tyrannical medical care that we find today, for Hashimotos. And why? Because the medical world is only now finding the simple key. Read on. Better yet, take this with you to your next endo / main stream medical Dr. visit. (They may be interested in the 12 medical references / studies noted at the end of this article.)

Is Iodine the Bad Guy?

By Dr. Alan Christianson

Written by
dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016
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81 Replies
radd profile image
radd

dtate2016

I agree in that the right amount of iodine is absolutely essential and nowhere more so than in the developing embryo. The risk of deficiency in certain pockets of the UK or an excess with the advertising of iodine rich kelp, nori, kombu, wakame, etc is a very clear modern day risk.   

We have pockets of iodine deficiency in the UK as well. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

We also have iodine added to UK prenatal sups. boots.com/boots-pregnancy-s...

It’s a tricky situation because not everyone is deficient and peoples diets are so variable. I think more awareness should be bought to this topic and especially for Levo (T4) medicating people who receive a certain amount of their iodine quota through their meds and T3 medicating people who if their diet is low in iodine could easily be at risk of deficiency.  I recently replied to another poster re iodine. healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator

dtate2016, Forum guidelines do not permit wholesale copying and pasting of other people's articles, most especially without linking to your source.

I have removed the article text.

You can re-edit your post if you wish, to include a brief introduction from the article, but you must include a link for people to follow if they want to read more.

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to RedApple

The article does include a link at the bottom. I hesitated to include the link to the entire article as it may violate HealthUnlocked other rules on marketing. What I wanted most was to get the information into the hands of those that may be helped. Please offer additional suggestions.

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to dtate2016

Just add a link to the article you posted here, (as long as it's a link to the article and not to specific products). Admin can check it's acceptable.

in reply to dtate2016

I saved this post hoping to come back and read it all, but it’s gone - can you send me the link 🙏🏻

Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

Unfortunately for me iodine was the bad guy. For many years I took a multivitamin that contained a daily dose of iodine when I was not deficient. The doctors have no other explanation of what caused my problems...no antibodies, no family history.So too much iodine can also be a problem.

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to Lalatoot

Yes, it was the overabundance of iodine in the prenatal vitamins that triggered Hashimotos for me - I’m sure of it. (That was in the 80s). And now, the endos and OBs are advising and even more narrow window of what is necessary in iodine intake - especially during pregnancy. An over abundance of iodine is the bad guy for me. But no more. I now watch very closely the amount of iodine ingested - even in foods. I know for sure I am one those that does not tolerate, nor rapidly eliminate any over abundance in iodine.

greygoose profile image
greygoose

Iodine is like all other nutrients: it will help you if you need it, but more is never better. It's not some magic elixir that is going to make everything alright. And in excess it can make everything wrong. It did for me. But, my dumb doctor didn't bother to test me to find out if I needed it. I don't think anyone is saying that iodine is the bad guy. If you need it, you need it. If you don't, you most certainly don't!

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to greygoose

which iodine test is the most accurate and wher can I order ?thank you

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Ari3

I'm told the non-loading urine test is the most accurate. But I have no idea where you can order it, I don't live in the UK. Maybe you'll find something here:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

:)

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Ari3

Ari3

which iodine test is the most accurate and wher can I order ?

Genova Diagnostics do the non-loading iodine test. Go to their page on ThyroidUK's main website to see how to order (link below), click on "List of available tests" and it's on page 3 of the pdf

Urine Iodine Test:

Specimen requirements: Urine

Cost: £76.00

Order Code: END25

Turnaround time: 5 - 10 days

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.

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to SeasideSusie

Wondering how to order in the US?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to JannSimpson

No idea, I'm in the UK; however, I believe Genova Diagnostics operate in the US so you could look into it.

Delgor profile image
Delgor

So a question for all you knowledgeable people on here: do you think an excess of iodine can cause goitres? I ask because after going overactive with a goitre many years ago resulting in a thyroidectomy, breast cancer followed in quick succession which I attributed to a hormone imbalance. However, upon reading up I found the Japanese had the highest incidence of goitres in the world (obviously owing to their diet rich in fish and seaweed) but interestingly they also seem to have one of the lowest incidences of breast cancer. Now that I've been underactive for years with no apparent antibodies for graves or hashimotos I'm at a loss as to know why I've now developed a multi-nodular goitre for the second time, although I now see from Lalatoot she feels the multivitamin pills probably were the cause (I stopped taking them when I joined this forum and GG and SS advised against). PS After reading up so much on here I now am not certain what thyroid disease I may have had as I was never told by the hospital and my GP only guessed at Graves since I had gone over active.

radd profile image
radd in reply to Delgor

'do you think an excess of iodine can cause goitres?'

Absolutely yes! It is written everywhere and although I don't think I have ever read this, it stands to reason that excess iodine could encourage any left over thyroid gland cells to expand after a thyroidectomy. Especially if you were also left under medicated as it is TSH that promotes the work of the sodium-iodide symporter, eg elevated TSH increases thyroidal iodine uptake from the blood.

Iodine also influences the immune system positively and negatively. It is the iodine in our meds that reduces Hashimotos attacks once we become optimally replaced. And research shows although an excess encourages the proliferation of cancer cells, to have only adequate iodine levels offers protection against certain cancers such as breast, stomach, prostate, ovarian, and of course thyroid.

Iodine supplements and seaweed companies that promote their products to improve thyroid function should be viewed with caution and the public made aware of the damage iodine can do in too little or excessive amounts. But until conventional endos understand more about thyroid physiology and immunity issues this isn't likely to happen.

Delgor profile image
Delgor in reply to radd

Thanks so much Radd - little by little I keep learning😁👍

Batty1 profile image
Batty1 in reply to radd

My mother has been on the salt is the enemy diet for her blood pressure for as long as I can remember and has always had a goiter….strange.

Ayesha83 profile image
Ayesha83

is there a way to test if you have enough iodine in your body?

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to Ayesha83

Iodine is not usually tested through the NHS. You can purchase iodine testing privately, but it's expensive.

Guineapiggy profile image
Guineapiggy in reply to RedApple

Still can't see link

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to Guineapiggy

Link for what Guineapiggy?

Guineapiggy profile image
Guineapiggy in reply to RedApple

Link to the Alan Christianson article

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to Guineapiggy

I don't have the link, or know where the article came from Guineapiggy.

It's up to dtate2016 to come back and add the link for us.

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to RedApple

Here is the link: drchristianson.com/blog/the...

DeedellaD profile image
DeedellaD in reply to Ayesha83

Yes there is. I see a doctor in Jacksonville she’s wonderful it’s a simple blood test you could do a urine one through some other lab but mine is deficient on the blood test endocrinologist will tell you they do not use those tests and nobody is deficient in the United States they are full of crap they create customers not cares 20 years and I’ve yet to meet one that help me

diogenes profile image
diogenesRemembering

In the iodine-poor areas of Germany, goitre (enlarged gland) is rife. When treating, it was shown to be unwise to immediately try to compensate fully with iodine-containing aids. Thyroid storm was only too frequent. I believe that, if iodine supplementation by food etc is adequate , there is no need for more. Especially in such unstable situations as AIT. And definitely not with complete loss of thyroid. The artificial hormones T3/4 provide enough.

DeedellaD profile image
DeedellaD in reply to diogenes

my meds don’t effect my deficiency of iodine and I feel no better on. Despite Hashimotos Numbers recently going to normal for the first time in decades and I’m not yet 40. I believe always getting your nutrients and vitamins from food is the way to go if you can for sure but if you can’t eat shrimp or seaweed or whatever else every day low doses are fine our thyroid absolutely cannot convert anything without the proper amount of Iodine no matter how much T4 and T3 we take and I take both and I feel no better ever and we keep my TSH very low my doctor care of herself of pancreatic cancer and I believe she’s very trustworthy it’s just an exhaustive never ending battle. Chronic stress will keep the thyroid not functioning Epstein-Barr triggers it sodas undiagnosed Lyme disease which some people obviously are being treated for and don’t have but I definitely had it and it showed per CDC way too late. I also developed Sjogren’s syndrome 13 years ago which is a nightmare.

And histamine issues after Epstein-Barr at age 15 it all goes hand-in-hand and I haven’t met one doctor that could get it all put together other than her and it’s still hard to see any real progress unless you’re super strict And have time for self. As a single mom it’s super hard. I’d love to find an iodine supplement that slow with selenium that I could take and know that it’s actually just seek help or some thing because I don’t trust the brand “now” I bought or life extension after reading some things.

Aspasia_logios profile image
Aspasia_logios in reply to DeedellaD

Just FYI Iodine is not required by the D1 and D2 enzymes that perform T4-T3 conversion. T4-T3 conversion within the thyroid is enhanced by TSH during iodine deficiency.

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply to DeedellaD

"our thyroid absolutely cannot convert anything without the proper amount of Iodine no matter how much T4 and T3 we take and I take both and I feel no better ever and we keep my TSH very low "

this statement makes no sense.... iodine is needed by thyroid to produce T4 and T3 , this is true . But if you are taking enough T4/T3 to give a very low TSH , then the thyroid is effectively switched off.... so it's not trying to make much T4/T3 at all.... so what does it need the iodine for ?

Conversion of T4 to T3 within the cells of the body (including the thyroid ) does not require iodine. 1 iodine atom is removed from T4 (4 iodine atoms) to leave T3 (3 iodine atoms) ..... the 'removed' atom is then recycled in the body (via T2 , then T1) So conversion gives you some iodine back , it doesn't 'use' iodine.

"For many, iodine deficiency plays a role in Hashimoto's"

What role ? .. (it doesn't cause it , as far as anybody knows)

Iodine deficiency certainly plays a role in hypothyroidism (low T4/T3 levels ) ~it causes hypothyroidism due to insufficient iodine for thyroid to use to make thyroid hormones .

But i've not seen anything that shows it has a role in Hashimoto's , (the autoimmune disease) which causes hypothyroidism by destroying the thyroid follicles which make thyroid hormones .

"...and I feel no better on. Despite Hashimotos Numbers recently going to normal for the first time in decades ..."

By 'Hashimoto's numbers', do you mean thyroid antibodies (TPOab and/ or TGab) ?

Even if the levels antibodies that show Hashimoto's later go down to within normal range , the thyroid follicles that have been damaged , will stay damaged . So thyroid hormone replacement will still be needed despite low TPOab levels.

DeedellaD profile image
DeedellaD in reply to tattybogle

Yes I mean TPO I was multitasking I’ll talk to texting iodine is still needed for proper thyroid function which was my main point at hand. If you are deficient your thyroid is not going to work and just because your TSH is super low doesn’t mean your body is working right As far is all the tasks your thyroid is supposed to do. The TSH always tanks when you were on T3 that was discovered long ago in the 50s as you may know. So it’s basically just a false suppression for lack of better word and many doctors don’t even know this basic information but it’s all over the inter-web in science fact articles and one of the first doctors to be huge into T3 therapy which plenty of people take all by itself there are all sorts of groups online about it but I don’t partake in them or FB

My TSH is suppressed because of the T3 and my T4 wasn’t high enough so we increased tirosint in the end it’s all just numbers and one should always go by their symptoms not their numbers especially if they have multiple autoimmune diseases and viral infections amongst other issues like histamine intolerance or overproduction Etc.

Bless

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to DeedellaD

This is me to a T. 😬

Im Hashi/ Hypo and My T4/ T3 is not converting. I've Been AIP/ Paleo and healthy keto only to find out I'm histamine intolerant as well. I'm currently detoxing on a low histamine/ Low fodmap diet. My Antibodies have come down drastically in the last few years but T3/T4 wont budge! Also my TSH was high at last bloodwork and my IODINE was low. Im currently on 50 mcg of Tirosint and finally starting to sleep again. How do I get my Iodine back up safely?

DeedellaD profile image
DeedellaD in reply to tattybogle

I just sped read and scanned your long bio on your history of blood labs and symptoms and doctor recommendations. You’re wise to know you should split the dose that’s what I do with my T3 now and I am overdue to check my thyroid. But will this week along with a ton of other things

I’ve basically been managing it with a doctor whos cured her pancreatic cancer. nobody else that I’ve met has been able to properly manage a thyroid somehow and I’m 20 years deep. Now I’m almost wondering if I switch to something other than tirosint since it is a gel cap that cannot be broken up if I would feel any better something tells me I would like my TSH a little higher but I do not feel hyper at all and the T3 is what sinks it. T3 was not an optimal range she shoots for the higher end When other doctors don’t tend to care.

I haven’t taken Levo in forever i’m not a big fan of the fillers I’d have to see what else could be split. It’s a fun never ending battle.

I have friends who had both Hashimoto’s and hypothyroid but in the beginning they change the way they eat supplemented iodine and selenium and low doses and never got on medicine and feel great. Makes ya wonder how many are on it that need bigger life changes much like other sicknesses. It’s all Dis ease in the body.

wellness1 profile image
wellness1 in reply to DeedellaD

Tirosint gel caps can easily be divided. They are soft, but solid.

Could you please elaborate on your mistrust of Now and Life Extension brands? Is your concern just with their iodine supplements?

userotc profile image
userotc

Thanks for the post which has prompted me to retest my iodine via Genova non-loading urine test (so youve cost me >£71!! lol).

My last one indicated slightly >Normal at 204ug/l (100-199), previously Low at 91. I still supplement but now only ~ 50 mcg i.e. <<200mcg limit indicated and <RDA. I was influenced by a couple of things ie wariness on this forum re iodine and I Wentz. Links tried earlier but problem in text.

silverbelle51 profile image
silverbelle51

Wow you tagged that! Another thing is Soy, it is a danger especially to the thyroid and they put it in everything , gutsygirl.com is a great source to learn the 73 + names and places where soy is and we /our bodies are poisoned with soy. Highly promoted by the tyrannical medical system since 1960's as healthy while they were condemning eggs, butter , coconut oil , promoting diet pills, valium, just to name a few health dangers which were Highly promoted . When I see posts like this one gives me hope we are waking up to what has been done to us all

Guineapiggy profile image
Guineapiggy

Can you post the link please?

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to Guineapiggy

Guineapiggy, dtate2016 is in the US. She will hopefully be back with the link during her own time zone 🙂

Guineapiggy profile image
Guineapiggy in reply to RedApple

OK. Thanks

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to Guineapiggy

drchristianson.com/blog/the...

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to Guineapiggy

drchristianson.com/blog/the...

Polly91 profile image
Polly91

interesting post dtate2016

I do take a little iodine (ALWAYS with selenium) and have done so for 3 years. I feel well on it.

I read a book called The Iodine Crisis (by a journalist who was diagnosed with breast cancer and hypothyroidism) and also the book Hypothyroidism the Unsuspected Illness by Dr Broda Barnes and they help explain the role of iodine in the body - in particular in the tissues of hormone sensitive organs and glands eg thyroid, breast , ovaries, prostate and skin.

I don’t recall the paper but I remember reading the incidence of breast cancer and prostate cancer being linked to low thyroid hormone levels and low iodine status.

I’m afraid I can’t be any more specific or scientific as I don’t have the information to hand but I would not be at all surprised if the increased incidence of hormone sensitive tumours is linked to sub optimal thyroid hormone and low immune function (& possibly even low iodine levels) as the levels of hypothyroidism is far far higher in the general population than we are led to believe. The latter is due to a number of reasons including :

-Testing of TSH in blood stream not being an accurate foolproof or sufficiently sensitive way to measure cellular thyroid hormone levels.

-reference ranges are too broad so many people are told they are normal or border line and sent away until they have a major event (eg heart attack)

-symptoms of low thyroid are so varied - 300 odd so if you don’t have the top 3-5 commonest ones you are unlikely to test so will remain suboptimal until you become v symptomatic (or worse still have a major medical event)

Broda Barnes’s book is excellent and of all the books I’ve read on hypothyroidism (I’ve read several) I’d say it’s the most illuminating even though it was written 40 odd years ago.

These are just my personal thoughts and opinions! I may well be wrong!

Polly

DeedellaD profile image
DeedellaD in reply to Polly91

which iodine do you take ? I test low and don’t trust NOw I bought it’s all fillers and white and lif eextension I read has some hormone in it. Maybe lugols? I don’t take selenium with it but maybe I will. 20 years off on meds never helped me too much. Not yet 40 and seems it all started as a kid after a truamatic move. Lyme and ebv can also kick it into gear alone with chronic stress. I replied to poster as well a long reply about iodine and my history after it seemed she was saying it’s the culprit. All docs say DO NOT TAKE I won’t treat you. I could have probably spared my body of a lot of damage and meds if I ignored the first one. Sigh. I’ve seen way too many in my life over 50. New thyroid doc said the same and that no one in usa needs iodine and my deficient blood test they don’t go by. What??

It’s A business sadly they want customers and my body with sjogrens and high ebv loads and hashi hypo is hardly functioning as a single mom is sure is exhausting beyond. I try to eat seaweed for iodine but I don’t love it. I know Whole Foods are the best way to heal but it’s hard ti manage it all.

I would like to know what you use for iodine and selenium thank you!

Polly91 profile image
Polly91 in reply to DeedellaD

yes I take a couple of drops of lugols always with 2 drops of selenium (I use biocare and 2 drops is around 200 micrograms).

I too had EBV (a long time ago in my 20s) and Lyme 5 years ago.

Its v hard to know what to believe so I try to read as much as I can and I monitor my symptoms . I hope you can feel well again.

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to Polly91

Do you take selenium because you tested deficient? I've heard that you can take a chance on going toxic if not?

Polly91 profile image
Polly91 in reply to JannSimpson

I take selenium as iodine alone can shut down thyroid hormone production. I did not test my selenium levels as they vary day to day depending on your dietary intake. I don’t eat Brazil nuts (I don’t particularly care for them !) and I take approx 200mcg Se. Levels up to 400 are apparently safe.

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to Polly91

Yes, the Broda Barnes book is an excellent resource. Early research on the connection between thyroid dysfunction and heart disease.

Batty1 profile image
Batty1

I found this on posters article .. not sure if this is what she is referring to though.

drchristianson.com/how-does...

Delgor profile image
Delgor in reply to Batty1

Thank you Batty for the link - I just keep on learning more and more which can only be a good thing. Cheers!

DeedellaD profile image
DeedellaD

I am deficient in iodine and not yet 40. I probably developed it and it went unknown as a kid around 8 after a traumatic move, until 20 after severe medical trauma called for blood tests. For many, iodine deficiency plays a role in Hashimotos (which they tell you isn’t a ring in the USA with all the salt not the form that’s easily stored) the only time I was healthy was late teens after joining two sports going to the gym and eating pretty clean. Finally lost the 40 I gained as a kid. Since my daughter I go right back up to delivery weight unless super strict . Sluggish and fatigued metabolism crawling.

Epstein Barr plays a role for many also with histamine and mcas triggering. Lyme undiagnosed which I tested positive decades too late and I have sjogrens. Which is another nightmare. Everything is a domino effect and usually chronic stress or an emotional trigger begins it all if not a virus or all combined interested to see what this article is saying about too much you said? Over 50 doctors probably more in my 20 years of it all, no one seems to know much i know that. I see a wonderful lady I. Jacksonville fl who cured her pancreatic cancer and I trust and pay Out of pocket because no one in network wants a cure. It’s a business. They want customers.

She keeeps TSH super super low .1 is fine and on t3 my Hashimotos numbers went normal for first time but I don’t feel different. However it is harder to tell when you have so many things in the puzzle. Clean eating and activity is the only thing I feel has helped for me. I also don’t trust any iodine I’ve bought for sea kelp but NOW or life extension even sadly. Shrimp and seaweed is a good source. I’d test your ratios and iodine before thinking you need less if that’s what implying. Good luck to all the thyroid train

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson in reply to DeedellaD

Has the NOW or life extension Iodine supplements helped your Iodine levels to go up?

DeedellaD profile image
DeedellaD in reply to JannSimpson

I go this week I will update. I backed off life extension based off one review and now seemed all filler. Taking life extension every few days at 1000mcg

Hedgeree profile image
Hedgeree

Hi dtate2016,

I was found to be very deficient in iodine most probably due to my vegan diet. Even after getting an endocrine referral I found it very difficult to find anyone that I could get advice from regarding my deficiency. It was almost dismissed by most of the medics that I asked advice from.

From my own experience, I found that iodine deficiency isn't taken seriously when it should be. I do beleive that my multinodular goitre was caused by being low in iodine for many years as I've never had any raised antibodies.

The only advice I did manage to get was at the very start of my referral I was told not to supplement iodine at that time as it could complicate my current hormone situation and I was just about to get numerous blood tests done.

After a partial thyroidectomy in August 2022 I was eventually prescribed Levothyroxine so I'm hoping that the iodine in the levo will increase my iodine levels but have yet to retest.

userotc profile image
userotc

This may be the link discussed if not the one suggested by Batty1 drchristianson.com/the-iodi.... We may find out soon.

Britomartis29 profile image
Britomartis29

On iodine testing: I have recently heard that a simple but very rough, only approximate measure can be had by painting a square inch or so of iodine tincture on your inner arm and waiting to see how fast it absorbs. If very fast, you might be deficient. If slowly over a few a days or not at all, you are not likely deficient. But can that possibly be so?? Seems such a crude and folk-lore test! Does anyone know?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Britomartis29

The iodine patch test has been debunked.

It is not a valid test.

helvella - Iodine Patch Test

Why the iodine patch test is not appropriate for indicating iodine status.

From Dropbox:

dropbox.com/s/a4xpwn6fwc42g...

From Google Drive:

drive.google.com/file/d/1C1...

Britomartis29 profile image
Britomartis29 in reply to helvella

Thank you! I thought it had to be too easy to be true: impossible to be accurate.

dayoff profile image
dayoff

When you take into account that dairy and eggs alone are rich in iodine, if this theory was correct, I do not think we'd be seeing hashimito's very often in Western countries? Just my guess but we eat plenty of iodine containing foods so I'd have thought if deficiency played a major role then it would actually be a rarer problem than it is.

Calley14 profile image
Calley14 in reply to dayoff

I'm worried regarding the status of of food supply our food only contains the nutrients that are in the fertiliser or animal feed. Trying to find out if they contain iodine

radd profile image
radd in reply to Calley14

Calley14,

Additional iodine won't be added to cattle feed to supplement a human deficiency because it would have a detrimental effect on the cattle if superfluous to their own needs ... benisonmedia.com/effects-of...

But considering the old ‘Derbyshire neck’ which was eradicated in the 1960's mainly through milk-iodine consumption (remember free milk at school once upon a time?) which was then also eradicated 😳, with no iodised-salt programme put in place (thank goodness!), organic milk 40% lower in iodine and not all todays alternative milks containing iodine (again thank goodness), it can leave us wondering and especially now pregnancy sups contain iodine.

You are right to be concerned as in the UK there are pockets of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency. This link offers some good references of the inadequate studies performed, and indications of iodine concentration in a range of foods .. .. bda.uk.com/resource/iodine-...

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Calley14

Iodine is much more complex than that.

It can be deposited from rain, it can be on the wind (especially in coastal areas). And the ability for it to get from those sources into plants and animals varies.

radd profile image
radd in reply to helvella

Yes, I've read iodine is more concentrated by the coast (I live by the coast) but have never understood why? Do you know hel?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to radd

Iodine has some complex processes.

Iodine compounds appear to be involved in cloud formation. A lot of clouds form way out to sea but can pass over thousands of miles of land. But it does imply that the amount of iodine that falls is to some extent related to the amount of rain. But more rain also washes some it away faster! Directions of the winds are also very important. And not just at sea level but all the way up through the atmosphere. The end result is that there are areas far from the sea that get higher iodine deposition than some areas closer to the coast.

And rain, mist and wind can more directly carry some iodine from the coast onto land - but at reducing rate depending partly on distance.

I think the issue of Derbyshire is partly due to distance from the sea - but suspect there are other factors. Like rainfall and nature of the ground it falls onto.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodin...

Iodine cycle diagram
radd profile image
radd in reply to helvella

Terrestrial ecosystems, its like a geography lesson 👨‍🏫, and the biota relates to you 🤣.

It is an interesting subject though, much more diverse than first impressions.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to radd

Iodine in topsoil distribution in England and Wales.

mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/ukso/hom...

Clearly, parts of East Anglia, Wirral, and Isle of Wight are low despite being coastal.

Iodine distribution in topsoil in England and Wales
dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to helvella

interesting!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to dtate2016

Yes, it is. But as so much food now gets transported round the country (and, of course, round the world), the impact of low and high iodine areas is much reduced.

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to helvella

helvella, you and I will have to disagree there. I have great respect for you and the many highly informative, right on educational (thyroid related) contributions that you generously offer here. But I would counter that by the same token (foods transported round the world) manufactured / processed with largely unknown amounts of iodine (which contrary to expectations and popular opinion) DO NOT always appear on the list of ingredients.

Yes, gently and respectfully, but emphatically disagree on the iodine content in processed, shipped foods.

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to dtate2016

Interesting research paper on the addition of iodized salt to cheeses around the world - and particularly the UK:

clok.uclan.ac.uk/34496/3/34...

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to dtate2016

Another scientific study that emphasizes the importance of the necessary nutrient iodine, and specifically in the UK, of how iodine is increased / decreased in milk in the UK. It also states the concern / links the over abundance on iodine to the development of hyper and hypo thyroid disease.

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

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to dtate2016

I think you might have inferred more than I intended.

The impact of low iodine areas is reduced because at least some food is likely shipped in from areas with at least slightly but possibly significantly higher iodine. This is very unlikely to ever become too much unless extremely high iodine foods like seaweed are included.

The impact of high iodine areas is also reduced because at least some food is likely shipped in from areas with at least slightly but possibly significantly lower iodine. Unfortunately, that could reduce intake to below necessary levels.

But we might overall consume more, or less, iodine. And, without having true figures available against all our foods, we really struggle to know. Ends up, in my view, that we can only know by measuring iodine in individuals with food content being only ever able to provide a rough indication.

Nonetheless, it could well be that Liverpool gets a significant amount of milk from Wales and that boosts iodine a bit. At the same time, they might get potatoes from low iodine areas of Norfolk rather than Wales. But trying to balance iodine in milk against that in potatoes is really not very helpful for as soon you have done that, you have to look at everything else!

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to Calley14

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

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to Calley14

Mistakenly replied to helvella - but in my opinion we need to be alert (perhaps not worried) but yes aware. It is added to our food and again not always listed in the ingredients - and it certainly is added to cattle feed. (But not in milk organically produced) and yet, we all need some iodine. It’s not possible nor desirable to remove all iodine. Having a balance of iodine is the goal. At least you there in the UK don’t have to watch the salt! Iodized salt is on almost every table here in the US. It’s on the counter in the cafe’s and with the cook in the back. You may indeed have to watch the milk and cheese (see related posts in this thread) Personally? I don’t eat cheese at all - one of my former favorite foods. Not only is it made from milk, that is most probably from cows fed with feed supplemented with iodine ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... , but the process of cheese making is again fortified with even more iodine (not always but many times). Since cheese was eliminated from my diet - I have lost 50 lbs.

Again, not to worry too much, but I believe many are trusting labels to inform of iodine content. (I certainly did) Not so much now. Here in the US iodine is used as dough conditioners in commercial bread. Not listed in “ingredients”. I’m not gluten intolerant anymore! I never was. I’m commercial bread intolerant. We must look a little deeper into diet to be sure. Let me again mention Dr. Christianson - on online alternative medicine endocrinologist. He has done a lot of research into our modern day processed foods - and offers it for free. Antennas up!

diogenes profile image
diogenesRemembering

Isabella Wentz ha some useful things to say on iodine and Hashimioto's disease

Iodine: Good or Bad for Thyroid Health?

Medically reviewed and written by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCPDR.

IZABELLA WENTZ / JANUARY 15, 2021

JannSimpson profile image
JannSimpson

I have been saying this too!! However, my doctors keep telling me its like putting gas on a fire! I'm diagnosed Hashimotos Thyroiditis and have LOW in iodine. They have me petrified to take Iodine supplementation. I am taking Kelp but not sure if its helping yet. What is the best type of supplementation and why am I so low in it?

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016

Excessive iodine has been connected to the development of Hashimotos: frontiersin.org/articles/10...

This study is long and full of medical terms (unrecognizable to many) and it links Hashimotos with too much iodine “in vitro”, and yet also opens the door to the possibility of acquiring Hashimotos through too much iodine via other means. This study is out of China.

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016

Izabella Wentz, a pharmacist who herself battles Hashimotos discusses various studies (one from Germany) that connects iodine to the development of Hashimotos using less medical terms : thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

She also discusses the work Dr. Christianson has done: drchristianson.com/blog/the...

I for one, will attest to the amazing return of a healthy thyroid after following Dr. Christianson’s advice on balancing iodine, following a low iodine diet for 30 days, thereafter cautiously reintroducing some foods higher in iodine. (Just because I like some of them!) All of this after 30 years (plus) on pharmaceutical thyroid hormone supplementation.

Juliet_22 profile image
Juliet_22

Any dose of iodine personally makes my thyroid situation much, much worst. My TSH rises like crazy, thyroid symptoms emerge and it takes ages to get it back down. I tried all kinds of things - taking it with selenium, C, kelp, dulse, potasium iodide, tiny doses, bigger doses. I learnt that some people need to stay away from iodine and I'm one on them ...

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016 in reply to Juliet_22

Yes, yes, yes! More than we know.

For me personally, I have been genetically tested and know for a scientific certainty, that I am a poor eliminator of toxins. Iodine does accumulate in all of us. Some of us have the great genes to get rid of toxins - so too much iodine is easily dispensed. Not for me. Too much Iodine becomes toxic, iodine is naturally drawn to the thyroid - and when it can’t be eliminated (by my body), my immune system becomes a line of defense. We (my Dr. and I) call it…Hashimotos disease. Amazingly, after 30 years of attack, after 30 years of autoimmune thyroiditis, when the toxic level of iodine went down, my thyroid healed. Anyone try to tell me this even 5 years ago - I would have had great doubts. No more. It’s a wonder I even still have a thyroid! And many Drs said I couldn’t - they were wrong.

Juliet_22 profile image
Juliet_22 in reply to dtate2016

I'm not taking any iodine and have not been ... on a gluten free whole food very healthy diet, with optimal ranges of the nutrients and my Anti-TPO is still 150, though I fully reversed Anti-TG. I wish iodine alone was the answer for me!

brighter84 profile image
brighter84 in reply to Juliet_22

Iodine is hidden in many places - including skincare! It can be very easy to go over the limit without really realising, especially if you have a low tolerance.

Juliet_22 profile image
Juliet_22 in reply to dtate2016

Btw, I sent you a message, if you don't mind checking pls!

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