How to determine if iodine supplementation might be is right for you by assessing key criteria used by holistic practitioners.
Far from the newcomer on the block, iodine is a traditional remedy that doctors in centuries past relied upon as an antiseptic and natural antibiotic.
As far back as 2700 B.C., records show that Emperor Shen Nung used seaweed for the treatment of goiters. Pliny, Vitruvius, and Juvenal describe the prevalence of goiter in the Alps and the use of burnt seaweed for treatment in 40 B.C.
Dr. Weston A. Price reported in 1939 that certain primitive cultures used iodine to successfully treat goiters.
Why Did Iodine Fall Out of Favor?
It was during World War II that patented pharmaceuticals like penicillin and sulfa drugs began to replace iodine. In 1969, Drs. Drs. Jan Wolff and Israel Lyon Chaikoff erroneously theorized that large amounts of iodine were harmful.
Unfortunately, a large portion of the medical community bought their theory, and recommended dosages of iodine in the United States dropped to a low of 150 mcg daily. This stands in sharp contrast to the average Japanese intake of 12 mg or more daily.
Indisputable Benefits
Iodine is present in every organ and tissue in the body. It is key to intelligence, proper fetal development, the health of salivary glands, endometrium, prostate, ovaries, and skin.
Research has shown that women with good iodine status bear smarter children. Researchers at Bristol and Surrey universities in England studied 1,040 pregnant women and discovered that children born to mothers with even mild iodine deficiencies had lower IQs and reading levels. (1)
Scientists conducting a meta-analysis of studies on iodine in China concluded: “The level of iodine nutrition plays a crucial role in the intellectual development of children.” (2)
Role in Detoxification
Iodine assists in many bodily functions including detoxification of radiation and toxic metals, especially mercury; thins excess phlegm and mucous; improves water metabolism and relieves water retention; cleanses the lymphatic system and blood; and supports thyroid function.
Iodine is necessary in order for the thyroid gland to produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormones, in particular T4. Additionally, iodine helps alleviate liver stagnation. This plays a significant role in the liver’s ability to convert T4 to the more biologically active thyroid hormone, T3.
Breast Health
Part of iodine’s vital role in both thyroid and liver health contributes to protecting the breasts from abnormalities. Practitioners use iodine therapeutically to assist the body in resolving breast cysts, as well as uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Deficiency is a common finding in cases of fibrocystic breast disease, breast cancer, and other hormone-driven cancers such as prostate, ovarian and uterine cancers. Hence, iodine supplementation may prove beneficial for this condition.
Essential to breast development and protective against cysts, iodine desensitizes estrogen in the receptors in the breasts. Iodine reduces estrogen production in overactive ovaries, making it therapeutic for those suffering from estrogen dominance, premenstrual syndrome, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
In my clinical experience, iodine is one of the best support minerals for acne and eczema. Iodine is also an important antioxidant as well as an inducer of apoptosis in cancerous tumors. Iodine has anti-sclerotic properties making it beneficial for use in persons with atherosclerosis. Historically, iodine supplementation facilitated the treatment of syphilis, malaria, scarlet fever, obesity, depression, pneumonia, uterine fibroids, and prostatic hypertrophy.
Food Sources
The best food sources of iodine are wild ocean fish and seafood. Avoid “sustainable” salmon as this is labeling semantics for GMO farm-raised.
Seaweed (marine algae) products such as kelp, nori, dulse, hijiki, arame, and wakame are also good sources. Try adding some to homemade fish broth for an especially therapeutic combination.
In addition, pastured butter especially from cows grazing on spring grass contains significant amounts.
Caution should be used in choosing seaweed products since the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. Products from Japanese waters should be tested for purity.
Skin Patch Test
Several laboratories now are able to determine whole-body iodine sufficiency through the use of a 24-hour collection test. This is a very simple and cost-effective test and is available through my office.
We also offer iodine patch testing in our clinic. It requires a 2” square patch of iodine to be painted on the arm or thigh. The length of time it takes for the patch to fade is assessed. The faster the body absorbs the iodine, the greater the need for iodine.
2% iodine tincture is the type used for the skin patch test and is readily available at any pharmacy costing just a few dollars.
While not perfect, this easy, inexpensive, and noninvasive test can quickly assess a patient’s relative status and whether there might be a need for further testing.
Iodine Supplementation: How Much is Enough?
Experts such as Guy Abraham, M.D., David Brownstein, M.D., and many others recommend 100-400 times the USRDA of iodine.
Vetted supplemental sources that I recommend include:
According to Dr. Guy Abraham, a researcher and an authority on the safe use of iodine, the daily dose of iodine should be 12.5 mg. to 37.5 mg. daily. The Japanese live longer and have lower rates of breast and thyroid cancer than any other population. And as we all know, they generally have very high levels of intelligence. Could it be the iodine?
The information in this post is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of any disease or disorder. Always consult with your health care practitioner. Iodine dosing is best done under the guidance of a knowledgeable health care practitioner.
More Information
I’ve heard if you have Hashimoto’s thyroid you should be careful with iodine. Is this true? Is there evidence showing it is not dangerous? I know I have iodine issues but with the Hashimoto’s I’m very hesitant to aggressively supplement.
Tara, I’ve heard about that idea too and had concerns about it, but I believe Dr. Brownstein addresses it and says it’s an old idea from ‘conventional’ medicine. He says it’s what he was taught in medical school. Though it can be hard to know how much to take without guidance from an informed medical professional.
Here are some videos of a very informative lecture on iodine by Dr. Brownstein and I believe he addresses the issue in one of the videos (great to watch all of them): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj-dwWsm8D0&list=PLJ0ZAcCFpXTGfZvCgwrWUKbmY9nZckFwJ
Your concerns are addressed in Dr. K’s article. Definitely worth investigating both sides of iodine.
http://thyroidbook.com/blog/why-i-dont-give-iodine-to-my-hashimotos-patients/
http://thyroidbook.com/blog/some-studies-on-iodine-and-autoimmune-thyroid-disease/
The key it to take a high enough amount to activate the anti oxidant dependent on iodine: the iodolipid. In adults this has been shown to be 50mg. Also the companion nutrients (selenium, mag, vit C) of the high iodine protocol are essential.
The iodine researchers show that iodine deficiency is what leads to Hashimoto’s. Compared to Dr. K’s very facile dismissal, this article is very compelling imho.
Facts about Iodine and Autoimmune Thyroiditis
by Guy E. Abraham, MD
Tara:
I have Hashi’s and unfortunately heeded the cautions about Iodine and Hashi’s for years. Last year in October after reading Brownstein’s book, I tracked down a lab that did iodine loading tests and tested so I could be sure. 90% or higher is the normal range. Mine was 30%. I began by taking 1/2 a 12.5 mg pill AFTER I spend two weeks taking: 2 g vitamin C, 200mcg Selenium, Vit D3, Vit E and ATP co-factors. I gradually worked my way up to 50 mg a day. It was lifechanging!
My sleep patterns normalized, my energy levels improved, my CF pain completely went away and my thyroid numbers are decent for the first time in years. That said, I did have very uncomfortable engorgement of my thyroid (which I solved by doing salt flushes). Do you research and take the test to be sure – the skin patch test should not be done if you have Hashi’s! You need the iodine loading test.
Tara, I’m glad I read your post! I’m in the middle of a book that does not recommend iodine for Hashi’s patients (there’s so much controversy!) and was having second thoughts. I will still investigate thoroughly before I add iodine to my regime, but your post has definitely motivated me to get tested. I’m so glad that you feel better! It gives me hope.
If you do research on selenium and Hashi’s you will find that the concern about iodine and Hashi’s is due to a selenium deficiency. Supplementing with iodine alone can “increase” a selenium deficiency since iodine and selenium work together (like calcium and magnesium). Selenium significantly decreases thyroid antibodies so as long as you are taking both together you should benefit from iodine supplementation!
I had no energy, cystic lumpy breasts that hurt all the time, multiple health problems developing as well as weight gain. Iodine supp. Changed my life. Since 2008 I started taking 50 mg a day of iodoral. Suddenly- mental clarity, weight loss and ENERGY!! A huge difference. Even gained the clarity to get a divorce and rid myself of a toxic relationship! the advice of my rolfer and wellness practitioner I also included saline flushes for my kidneys and extra selenium supplementation. Along with my zinc piccolinate I’ve been a fan of for years now and I got my health back! Recently, I decided to take a break from the iodine after so many years. I dislike the feeling of being dependant upon something- BIG mistake my same symptoms slowly came back. I now have gotten back on but a lower dose. 12.5 mg iodoral daily. If you have a substantial deficiency or problems though I highly recommend the 50mg dosage for at least a year to replenish. If you’re just feeling down and not right I HIGHLY recommend you give some iodine therapeutic doses a try!
Breast Cancer Choices has details on the salt loading protocol that may have replaced your saline flushes and the reasoning behind them (detoxing bromide and preventing symptoms).
http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/iodineindex.html
Selenium should always be mentioned when speaking about iodine. Maybe I missed it skimming through. Without selenium iodine can be harmful, but with it, it is crucial to optimal health. I am a huge advocate of iodine. At 25 or so I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and through a wapf diet rich in probiotics and taking the iodine protocol I haven’t had symptoms of FMS in over 6 or 7 years! I think it’s safe to say I’m cured 😉 I have tried to be very clear about how important the whole protocol is when sharing iodine info with friends, and someone always seems to ignore the rest of the protocol and end up worse off because they just start taking iodine. sigh. It’s such invaluable information and has gotten a bum rap due to the missing pieces of the puzzle. I appologize if I’m just restating something the author already mentioned.
Here’s a good article by Chris Kresser:
http://chriskresser.com/iodine-for-hypothyroidism-like-gasoline-on-a-fire
Dear Liz J and also Kim,
Who knows if it’s okay for a person to take the iodoral or the Lugol’s with a meal ? Is it okay to mix the iodine with food ( not an empty stomach ?)
Also, can a person take the selenium and the iodoral at the same time – or do they require an empty stomach and separately.
Just heard that iodine could mix ? with starch ( bread ) and not be absorbed.
Thanks for your help.
Jozella
It’s fine to take with food and selenium as far as I know, however vitamin C can convert all of the iodine to iodide or vice versa-I can’t remember which. So I wouldn’t take a vitamin C supplement at the same time. I’ve never heard that starches would interfere with absorption but most flour is brominated and bromides are also halogens as is fluoride and chlorine. These all compete for the same receptors so important to avoid. This is some of the motivation for why I only give homemade sourdough gluten free bread to my family, (grinding fresh flower from whole grains) have a shower filter and fill the tub for my kids with it-hanging down so it doesn’t cool the water too much. I also avoid fluoride by making homemade toothpaste and avoid fluoridated water. I’d like to hear more about starches influence if there is any. Anyone???
Chris Kresser is not an iodine researcher. He did not adequately evaluate all the research done by Drs. Abraham, Brownstein and Flechas – including the necessary companion nutrients and high doses to prevent the issues that he claims are a problem.
See the comments below Kresser’s article made by Stephanie Buist ND, head of the great source of information, the Iodine Yahoo group. Dr. Brownstein is her mentor.
See Optimox.com, Research section for more information.
Jane, it’s true he could be missing a few pieces of the puzzle. Or perhaps he has done the research and doesn’t agree with all of it. But what I got from his post that I think we can all agree with was that success is dependant on selenium in particular. I have been a member of Stephanie’s group since she started it, and I have had dinner with Dr. Flechas to brief him on our FMS support group before he spoke to us. I’m very familliar with their work and they always emphasise the importance of the whole protocol. Stephanie has said that selenium is critical because it protects the thyroid from the oxidative stress of the iodoral. Chris was stressing the importance of selenium as well. But yes, it is wise to take his opinions with a grain of salt and compare them against Drs. Abraham, Flechas and Brownstein. My point is that anyone who posts about iodine supplementation should mention the whole protocol so as not to create more problems for our cause!
Exactly.. see article I wrote here 🙂
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/2013/12/29/companion-nutrients-the-key-to-iodine-protocol/
Hi there. Thank you so much for this article. I am newly pregnant with our second child. Although we are excited, it’s kind of an “oops” pregnancy. 🙂 We have a 15 month old, and I was hoping to start slowly supplementing with iodine sometime BEFORE we got pregnant again. I am worried that I am deficient in iodine, and want to make sure that I am getting enough for the baby’s sake, but I have read about the detoxification that starts when you begin supplementation. I would hate to jeopardize the health of my baby by detoxing heavy metals into its developing system. I’d really appreciate any thoughts you may have on this topic. Thanks again!
Erin- maybe just go slow with the iodine? I have adrenal symptoms and my doc wanted me to use iodine to support my adrenals. I used 1 drop of Lugols in water and it still was too much for me and many of my adrenal symptoms came back. So he had me do a drop on my wrist (or sometimes I paint it over my throat/thyroid. It disappears quickly. Once I adapted to 1 drop, I bumped up to two. Even at two drops, I am only at 12.5 mg, which is no where near the 50 mg so many folks recommend. But I’m working towards it! Maybe this would work for you to avoid a detox? I use the Lugol’s 5% solution and by using only 2 drops a day, it lasts forever!
Erin,
Be very careful about iodine during pregnancy. I have supplemented with very high levels of iodine in the past because I’m hypothyroid. I worked with a naturopath. I tolerate iodine very well and did very well with it but it is easy to overdose a tiny baby so it’s best to just stick with the amount of iodine in your prenatal vitamin and eat some seaweed. I’m pregnant too, and I don’t use my Lugol’s during pregnancy. Both my naturopath and my holistic doctor have advised me to quit taking high levels of iodine during pregnancy. Wait until after Baby is born to start the iodine.
Make sure you’re using unrefined salt too, not the usual refined salt that’s devoid of minerals. Dr. Brownstein says that refined salt will help deplete you of minerals and lower your pH while unrefined salt does the opposite. There are a few other things that you may need to supplement too. Read Brownstein’s books. They’re very easy to follow and not too expensive when you buy direct from his website, especially if you buy a bundle. In my case it looks like B2 and B3 supplementation and switching to unrefined salt is very important. I have obvious signs of fluoride poisoning (white spots on teeth) and after a several year Mountain Dew habit more than a little bromine poisoning. Bromine is another reason to stop eating bread, most use it as a dough conditioner instead of iodine like they did until the 1970s. Bromine, fluoride and chlorine displace iodine.
I have found a few videos online about iodine from Dr. David Brownstein to be very helpful (he has books too, plus I’m lucky to live less than an hour from his office if I ever want to try to see him). I have been adding in some pinches of kelp powder here and there in food preparation (can’t really taste it, just a little salty addition). Not all the time, just when I think of it. I know this isn’t precise, but right now it’s something I’m doing to add some additional iodine in my diet. (Frontier brand kelp powder is from kelp harvested in northwest Iceland – far from Japan and it’s nuclear reactor contaminated water and seaweed). I also sometimes take a multi-vitamin supplement from Life Extension that contains iodine (iodide). Is OTC iodine high enough quality, or would I need a prescription to get something more preferable? (I realize I shouldn’t just take supplemental iodine without knowing what my levels are – is that true?)
One more thing. I recently learned that black walnuts contain a good amount of natural iodine. My neighbor has two black walnut trees which drop a considerable amount of black walnuts in our yard (in the fall – right now). I have read about making a black walnut tincture, and I have done my own version by simply soaking the dried black walnuts and hulls in water – and then rubbing a little on my skin and also on my neck to try to allow some natural iodine to be absorbed through my skin. I have suspicion that I may have some hypothyroidism though I haven’t been tested for it.
I’ve only had hypothyroid symptoms to a minor degree. But I had 40, 60+ day cycles and iodine sorted it out into a normal 30 or 3_, and quickly, using OTC iodine skin patches. I’ve only had it in iodized salt and other food sources recently and am still having monthly cycles. I’ve only had a couple relapses as far as bad cycles and that’s after not using the direct skin patches for a while. As far as I know it’s only helped with a few menstrual related hormones, my adrenaline et al was acting up also before I started iodine and my anxiety got worse after sorting out my period with iodine. I cannot say for sure that this is connected, but I’ve fairly recently read something like “addressing one hormonal issue and not the other can cause the other to get worse”, so I wish I had not waited over half a year to work on what had since turned from a feeling or over stimulation to panic attacks.
didn’t know iodine could be purchased OTC! I’ve been getting a prescription (an expensive one at that) for Lugol’s 3%. If I buy the OTC 2%, how many drops per day should I be taking? I’m taking 8 drops/2X day of the 3%.
I had a large goiter that has almost disappeared after 1 week on iodine and Nature-throid. My blood work was always “normal” and no doctor ever suggested I try these. I was scheduled for a complete thyroidectomy, when I started doing more research and decided to try NT and iodine. Not sure which of these I needed the most, or what made the goiter go away, but clearly I needed something! Still taking, now a year later and feeling really good. I also have a history of breast cancer in my family, and hoping the iodine will help with that.
From what I have researched, the iodine patch test is not very reliable. An iodine loading test is much more accurate. I surely wouldn’t trust the patch test alone.
BC, I assume you mean not very accurate as far as assessing iodine status, but do you also mean as a way of supplementing transdermally / through the skin?
Kim, I’d appreciate your thoughts on patches as a way of administering iodine, the idea being that the body takes what it needs through the skin. I’d also like to know if you are aware of a unique form of iodine called Ener-G Iodine.
Thanks for shining light on this important topic.
There has been an ongoing debate regarding the accuracy of the iodine patch test, but I can say based on comparisons we have done in my office we have found the follow-up urine iodine tests to confirm what we generally see through the patch test. It serves as a good marker for those that do not want to spend the $110 for the lab testing. Unfortunately there have been no clinical trials that I am aware of to validate the exact accuracy of the iodine patch test. Of course, no one is going to fund a trial that has no profits to offer.
There is no question that the most accurate method at this time for assessing iodine sufficiency is the urine iodine loading test. The beauty of the iodine patch test (as well as painting iodine for therapeutic purposes) is that it is perfectly safe due to the low dosage and slow release into the blood stream. Most of the holistic practitioners I know have found it useful as a monitoring tool but now that we have the iodine loading urine tests, we can have exact levels if clients are willing to spend the money.
I hope this is helpful.
Cheers,
Kim
Yes the skin test is not accurate at all. The iodine researchers have studied it and most of the iodine evaporates or turns into clear iodide. Only 12% gets absorbed into the body.
http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/updates/UNIOD-02/UNIOD_02.htm
While other tests are likely better, the iodine patch is an inexpensive at home way to quickly assess if you have a problem. I can say that years ago when I first did the patch, it disappeared within an hour or two. Now, after years of eating grassfed butter and other iodine rich foods, it stays on all day long even after a shower. So, while it may not be precise like a lab test, it does work in my experience as a general assessment you can do easily at home.
Based on my many years of research, I would not rely on this at all. Body oils, vitamin C content of diet… there are many factors in how the skin deals with iodine. Did you read my link posted above to Optimox?
Correct, the patch test has been proven inaccurate. A much better test is the 24 hour iodine loading test from urine.
Sarah,
You are incorrect. You can’t truly measure iodine from a skin patch test. It’s about how your body converts the iodine. Because of displacement factors of iodine, minerals and heavy metals, the only truly accurate way to measure is by urine. While Iodine may be needed by most individuals not everyone needs the same amount. It is better to test first.
We’re not talking about measuring iodine from a skin patch test .. we are talking about improving iodine status. Here is some info from the article The Great Iodine Debate: http://www.westonaprice.org/metabolic-disorders/the-great-iodine-debate
Iodine on the Skin
The application of iodine to the skin as a way of iodine supplementation has been a common practice for over one hundred years. In 1932, researchers from the College of Pharmacy at Rutgers University carried out experiments on dogs and rabbits. They determined that, in fact, free iodine does penetrate through unbroken skin, although about 88 percent of the iodine applied evaporates from the surface within three days. Colloidal iodine (I2 in aqueous solution) was found to evaporate more quickly than tincture of iodine (I2 in alcoholic solution), and tincture of iodine evaporated more rapidly than Lugol’s solution (iodine plus potassium iodide). The authors concluded: “. . . iodine which penetrates through the skin is removed only slowly from within this area into the body, thus forming an iodine depot in the skin for several days. In this prolonged retention of iodine within the skin, we see a favorable condition for a possible local prophylactic and therapeutic action.” More recent studies, these involving humans, indicate that application of iodine to the skin is not effective in preventing the uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland; however, it is a slow but effective way to provide iodine supplementation, increasing serum levels at about 10-40 percent compared to oral ingestion (Abrahams, GE. The bioavailability of iodine applied to the skin. http://www.optimox.com).
Holistic practitioners have also applied iodine to the skin as a way to assess whole body iodine status–the so-called skin iodine patch test. The published data throws doubt on the effectiveness of the iodine patch test as a diagnostic aid. Many factors play a role in the disappearance of the yellow color of iodine from the surface of the skin including ambient temperatures and atmospheric pressure–the iodine will disappear faster in Denver than it will in Los Angeles. And in some people the iodine is reduced to iodide by the skin, which will result in the disappearance of the yellow color because iodide is white. Nevertheless, many have reported that the iodine applied to the skin remains longer after following the practice for several weeks, indicating a kind of saturation effect.
Unfortunately, we have no clinical trials on the use of iodine on the skin, but holistic practitioners have reported good results. For example, from Geoffrey Morell, ND: “A female patient with nodules on the thyroid gland and scheduled to have it removed applied tincture of iodine to the skin for over sixty days, at which point the stain remained for twenty-four hours. Upon reporting to the hospital for the operation, she was told that the nodules had disappeared and the operation was no longer necessary. In another case, a woman saw her visible goiter disappear after many weeks using tincture of iodine on the skin.”
The inefficient uptake of iodine from the skin and slow release can be seen as an advantage for those wishing to safely improve their iodine status without medical supervision. This treatment does not seem to provoke a detoxification reaction that often occurs with oral ingestion of Lugol’s.
Iodine applied to the skin is an excellent treatment for pre-malignant lesions, dark moles, keloid scars and other oddities of the skin. According to Dr. David Derry, “. . . iodine’s ability to trigger natural cell death (apoptosis) makes it effective against all pre-cancerous skin lesions and likely many cancerous lesions. The local site is replaced with normal skin.” He recommends topical iodine for insect bites as well (iodine4health.com/special/measurement/derry_measurement.htm).
After reading many points of view about the patch test, including that it simply evaporates, and would evaporate from most any surface, I tried painting some on laminate countertop samples and taking pictures at intervals. It disappeared, which for me, supports the contention that it isn’t a valid test at all. It simply evaporates and will evaporate even from nonporous surfaces, so surely even moreso from porous surfaces like skin.
Sarah, it doesn’t provide detox because enough iodine cannot get in to displace the bromide, fluoride and metals which can result in detox in some people.
I agree with the articles Sarah has cited. Naturally, individuals are going to have varied results but using iodine on the skin is a safe and gentle way to begin displacing bromide, fluoride and toxic metals. Often if iodine is given in large oral doses, detox reactions can be quite uncomfortable. The application of iodine on the skin can be very effective without the risks of overdosing.
The iodine loading tests offered by several labs today are excellent guides for need. The skin patch tests is a way to therapeutically administer iodine and does often give us an indication of when it would be appropriate to retest for sufficiency using the urine loading test. In clinical observations we do see those with low thyroid function absorb iodine transdermally much more rapidly than those with normal thyroid function.
After reading this article I wonder if all my hormone problems could have been avoided if I had simply been given an iodine supplement…..eight years and a full hysterectomy (due to endometriosis, ovarian cysts & uterine polyps), gall bladder removal, fattly liver, hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis later…..I am a mess! Granted, my diet definitely needed improvement, but perhaps iodine would have helped. I certainly would have liked to have tried it. More than once I have regretted my confidence in conventionally trained doctors. My journey has certainly taught me some very important lessons and the wisdom that I can impart is; eat right, keep moving, use health friendly cleaning and personal products and most importantly, question everything! You are your own best advocate, research the hell out of everything. Just because someone has a medical degree doesn’t mean they know squat. Most often, nature has a better solution. Thank you for this article!