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March 14, 2018

Is Iodine Safe for Hashimoto’s Disease?

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Is it safe to take iodine if one has Hashimoto’s Disease? This is one of the top questions I receive, so today I want to break down this controversial topic.
Is it safe to take iodine when I have Hashimoto's Disease? This is one of the top questions I receive, so today I want to break down this controversial topic.

Iodine is very important for the production of thyroid hormones. Without iodine and L-tyrosine we don’t have the raw materials to make thyroid hormones. Iodine also helps manage the metabolic rate in the body.

With Hashimoto’s, the immune system knows there’s something going on in the thyroid tissues that’s not normal and so the body is attacking the thyroid tissue. There are many different root causes for this such as: a viral infection, a bacterial infection, overabundance of stress, heavy metals in the body, etc.

In our practice, we’ve found that when a client has Hashimoto’s and is in a hypothyroid state, by slowly adding a small amount of an iodine supplement to the diet, such as Iodomere from Standard Process or sea vegetables, the client often feels better.

But, there are some who say they don’t feel well when taking iodine or eating iodine-rich foods. When we look at their labs we often see either high levels of T4, which indicates they are in a hyperthyroid state, or they have indications of a congested liver. In this situation, when you add iodine to the mix, the metabolic rate speeds up and the thyroid gland tries to push out various toxins. This can create die-off reactions and they will feel very sick because their body is being pushed harder than they can handle.

If hyperthyroidism has been ruled out, then here are some things to try alongside a nutrient-dense diet:

  1. Do a castor oil pack over the liver for 3-4 weeks. Then, try adding a bit of kelp powder or sea vegetable powder to the diet and see how you feel. I also recommend keeping a close eye on your labs to see if things are headed in the right direction.
  2. Along with the castor oil packs, we like to use specific Gemmotherapy remedies such as Rosmarinus or Juniperus that gently drain the liver. Prunus amagdylus will often be used to specifically support the thyroid gland.

When the castor oil packs and drainage remedies are used together, our clients feel better and they are usually able to then add iodine-rich foods back into the diet and are ready to take an iodine supplement if needed.

It’s good to keep in mind that we are all biochemically individual, so iodine won’t work for every single person but, in general, adverse effects from iodine are rare when it’s used appropriately.

Here’s a list of foods that are good sources of iodine:

  • Sea vegetables such as kelp, dulse, and wakame
  • Wild sea food such as shrimp, scallops, cod, salmon, sardines and tuna
  • Unprocessed, organic dairy such as raw milk, raw cream, cultured yogurt, etc.
  • Pastured/organic eggs
  • Celtic sea salt (not iodized salt because it is not a naturally occurring salt and is processed)

If you’ve been nervous to eat iodine-rich foods because you’ve heard they aren’t healthy, then I recommend giving something like sea vegetables a try and see how you do. If you’ve experienced negative symptoms in the past from iodine, then I recommend following the steps above and also talk to your holistic practitioner about this so they can help safely guide you through the process. If you’re looking for a practitioner to work with, give our office a call and we will be happy to help you.

Posts may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Filed Under: Thyroid Disease, Thyroid Disease | 27 Comments

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27 Comments

  1. Patti

    March 14, 2018 at 12:38 pm

    How does one tell if they have Hashimotos? I am hypothyroid and have RA but I’m medicated for the thyroid with T3 at 20mcg twice a day & NDT at 15mg twice a day and a tiny amount of T4 .050 in the morning. I am also on 37.5mg of hydrocortisone for adrenal insufficiency. I don’t know how to determine if I have Hashimoto or I’m just hypothyroid. Can I take 1 drop of lugols iodine a day to support my immune system or is that a no no? Thanks for any help and the wonderful articles.
    to Patti" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Patti">Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      March 14, 2018 at 2:11 pm

      You usually start with the two labs, TPO AND Taa to check for antibodies. 80% of those with hypothyroidism have hashimoto’s so it’s worth asking your doctor to get tested. If your practitioner recommended the iodine and you’re not having any negative reactions from it, then it’s most likely supporting your system.
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      • Bethany

        February 13, 2023 at 7:25 pm

        I have had hair loss and fatigue for many years (over 10). A urine test showed I was iodine deficient. I took Iodoral 12 mg for 4 years with not much improvement until right at the end but then I had TSH 0 and high heart rate so dr stopped it because he said it caused hyperthyroid. Now Im back to hair loss and fatigue and now weight gain. Do I need the iodine or will it make me hyperthyroid again?
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        • Deliciously Organic

          February 15, 2023 at 10:43 am

          Without knowing your full health history, it's hard to say. I recommend talking to your practitioner to see what they recommend.
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  2. Kelly

    March 16, 2018 at 10:11 am

    When you do castor oil packs, do you need to launder the cloth each time or is it ok to keep reusing it for a week or so, drizzling some new oil on each time. Just wondering.
    to Kelly" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Kelly">Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      March 26, 2018 at 6:15 am

      No, you continue to reuse the cotton flannel. I usually only change out the flannel every 6 months or so.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic">Reply to this comment
      • Jennifer Taylor

        June 11, 2020 at 4:05 am

        can you take Lugols pottasium Iodide with Levothyroxine ? not at the same time but some hours apart? many Thanks
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        • Deliciously Organic

          June 11, 2020 at 5:20 pm

          I'm not sure. That's a great question to ask your practitioner.
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  3. Lily

    March 21, 2018 at 2:36 pm

    Hi Carrie, Thank you so much for this informative article. I find this topic very confusing. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s in 2012 when my thyroglobulin antibodies were as high as the lab would measure (over 7,000). Since then, I changed my diet radically (eliminated gluten and recently diary, eggs and at some point also nightshades), and managed to bring my antibodies to less than 200. A couple of months ago, I started taking 4,5mg LDN, and I’m yet to see if there are any changes. I have a sizable goiter, and I’m confused if I should be taking iodine or not. Additionally, I’m taking Vit D3, Selenium, Zinc, complex Vit B (have both genes for MHTFR), fulvic acid, Folic Acid 800mcg, B6 and B12 shots. However, I’m consistently dealing with digestive issues and can’t seem to heal my leaky gut (I’m taking digestive enzymes and Betain but not consistently). Stool test didn’t uncover anything significant, and I’m yet to take a SIBO test. I’m very confused if I have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, and what can I do to improve my health? My TSH is 0.14; T4 FREE 1.7; T3 FREE 3.6; T3 REVERSE 18. Thank you for your feedback, Lily
    to Lily" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Lily">Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      March 26, 2018 at 6:13 am

      Iodine is very helpful for goiter, so I would talk to your practitioner about how much to consume or supplement with. Legally, I can't give personal nutritional advice, but if you give our office a call and book a consultation, I can definitely help you out. Here's the number: Biodynamic Wellness - 858.259.6000
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic">Reply to this comment
    • Lori

      October 4, 2018 at 11:43 pm

      If you have MTHFR shouldn't you be taking Methylfolate, not Folic Acid? You body can't convert man made Folic Acid well and if can build up in your organs. Also you should take the active bioavailable form of B-12 with is call Methylcobalamin. I see a Functional Medicine Practitioner. Do you see one? I have MTHFR also and I was prescribed the above protocol. I was also prescribed B-6 and Cal-Mag for bioavailable Calcium and and Magnesium. Also Zinc/Copper. I hope you find this helpful. Feel free to contact me if you'd like to chat more. Blessings! Thank you for the recipes
      to Lori" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Lori">Reply to this comment
      • Deliciously Organic

        October 5, 2018 at 9:39 am

        This article isn't about Methylfolate, folic acid or MTHFR, so I'm not sure what you're referring to.
        to Deliciously Organic" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic">Reply to this comment
        • Maria

          July 23, 2019 at 11:13 pm

          She's responding to Lily's earlier comment.
          to Maria" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Maria">Reply to this comment
  4. Yesendi

    June 14, 2019 at 10:59 am

    Hi Carrie, is it safe to take iodine when I don't have a thyroid? I was removed 6months ago.
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    • Deliciously Organic

      June 14, 2019 at 11:01 am

      Yes, but it's always best to talk to your practitioner about this before deciding to self-dose.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic">Reply to this comment
  5. Mark

    August 4, 2019 at 7:34 am

    Hi, I've had hypothyroid symptoms all my life except dry skin. My labs come back normal yet I feel pretty good on NDT and symptoms (such as cold sensitivity and head to toe dermatits) are greatly eased. Here's my question what would happen if someone has Hashimoto's and suddenly took significant amounts (around 5mg) of iodine? I tried that 1 1/2 year ago and my throat swelled up. I could still breathe but it felt like something was stuck in my throat. So to rephrase the question: If someone has hypothyroid symptoms and throat swells upon administration of iodine, is that a clear indication of Hashimoto's?
    to Mark" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Mark">Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      August 13, 2019 at 10:21 am

      No, that's not an indication of Hashimoto's. You'd need to get tested to see if you have the antibodies. It could have been that it was too much iodine for your system. Not everyone needs to supplement with iodine.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic">Reply to this comment
  6. Elaine

    August 5, 2019 at 7:09 pm

    Do you think it’s safe to get a small amount of iodine from food if you’ve previously taken too much in the past? I was supplementing with iodine but was taking way too much (800mcg daily) and it lead to a goiter. The goiter then lead to a Hashimotos diagnosis. Now I’m scared of iodine from any source :/
    to Elaine" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Elaine">Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      August 6, 2019 at 11:46 am

      Goiter is caused by too little iodine. I would talk to your practitioner about what dose is best for you.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic">Reply to this comment
  7. Warren West

    September 24, 2019 at 8:50 am

    I caught, for lack of a better term , chlorine bromide poisoning from swimming to much, had neurological symptoms of falling down, lower paralysis,brain fog. chlorine boils, which was mis dianosed and given to much saline which gave me center pontine meylonosis, well im alive but dont know what to do next I try physical rehab which seemed to help. are there supplements to help? should i try steam detox?
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  8. Laura

    June 25, 2020 at 8:14 pm

    Hi Carrie! Thanks for presenting such great info in bite size doses I can understand:) I’ve started taking iodine but it seems to be causing constipation. I’ve heard this is not uncommon. Would you agree, and if so, any thoughts on relief? I’ve tried magnesium, it helps some but not enough. Maybe I need a larger dose.
    to Laura" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Laura">Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      June 30, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Legally, I can't give personal health advice, so I recommend talking to your practitioner who prescribed the iodine so they can tell you which direction is the best to take.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic">Reply to this comment
  9. Laura

    February 27, 2022 at 5:57 pm

    I'm confused, the Celtic Sea Salt says it is not a sufficient source of iodide. You're saying that it does though?
    to Laura" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Laura">Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      February 28, 2022 at 9:41 am

      Naturally-occuring iodine is different than iodide added to processed salt.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic">Reply to this comment
  10. rhianne NewLahnd

    December 17, 2024 at 10:13 am

    there is so much confusion about this topic. now another popular doctor is saying we have to much iodine and those of us (me) with hashimotos should cut out all foods containing idodine, eggs, dairy, fish, sea vegetables,sea salt, it is crazy making to know what the right path is...
    to rhianne NewLahnd" aria-label="Reply to this comment to rhianne NewLahnd">Reply to this comment
    • Carrie Korem, FNTP

      January 6, 2025 at 9:30 am

      I understand. I see my clients thrive when using iodine, and we cannot make thyroid hormones without iodine, so I personally don't see the validity in avoiding it as much as possible.
      to Carrie Korem, FNTP" aria-label="Reply to this comment to Carrie Korem, FNTP">Reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. How Swimming Pools, Tap Water, Fluoride and Bromide Affect the Thyroid says:
    November 15, 2023 at 11:39 am
    […] with iodine in the past or have thyroid issues and have been told iodine isn’t healthy, then click here to read an article I wrote on the topic. I think it will clear up the confusion for […]
    to How Swimming Pools, Tap Water, Fluoride and Bromide Affect the Thyroid" aria-label="Reply to this comment to How Swimming Pools, Tap Water, Fluoride and Bromide Affect the Thyroid">Reply to this comment

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Hi, I’m Carrie Korem, FNTP
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Through unprocessed, organic food and detox I’ve reversed Hashimoto’s disease, chronic migraines, IBS and eczema.

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