Iodine

[jenned]

Hi

I believe iodine is pointless with hypothyroidism but does it cause more health problems?

Thank you

[helvella Administrator]

The amounts we get in fairly typical UK diets are modest and do not cause issues.

Higher doses of iodine, such as specific iodine supplements, some seaweeds, etc., are controversial. Some people claim they take absolutely gigantic doses and feel wonderful. But there is evidence that very high doses can cause numerous problems - e.g. with the kidneys - even if seemingly tolerated. We have also seen several reports of people who have had to take medicines with high iodine content - amiodarone or iodine-based disinfectants used in some surgery.

But if you have no thyroid, and are taking adequate thyroid hormone, I find it difficult to see why iodine supplementation is expected to help.

[jenned in reply to helvella]

Thank you, it's more that it seems to be added to multi vitamins, which I don't take, but my neighbour with hypothyroidism but never hyperthyroid does.

[helvella Administrator in reply to jenned]

I know there is concern but most multivitamins contain relatively modest amounts of iodine. Typically 150 micrograms.

While this is often said to be our daily requirement, so on that basis looks quite a lot, I think many of us can take that without obvious problems.

[jenned in reply to helvella]

Thank you for your help