Last Updated on May 6, 2026 by Carrie Korem, FNTP
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.
Iodine and the Thyroid
The thyroid needs iodine and tyrosine to make thyroid hormones. Without iodine, you cannot make thyroid hormones.
Iodine deficiency can cause or contribute to hypothyroidism, goiter, cysts and nodules. Studies have also shown that iodine deficiency can contribute to hyperthyroidism, when the hyperthyroidism is caused by toxic nodules or goiter.
Iodine and Hashimoto’s Disease
Hashimoto’s is an immune system issue that can affect the thyroid. There are many different root causes for this such as a viral infection, a bacterial infection, an overabundance of stress, heavy metals in the body, liver congestion, toxins, nutrient deficiencies, etc.
Even when one has Hashimoto’s, they still need iodine to make thyroid hormones, and they also need it for other tissues of the body, as discussed above.
However, there are some who say they don’t feel well when eating iodine-rich foods. In this case, usually this person has high levels of fT4, which indicates they are in a hyperthyroid state, or they have indications of a congested liver.
In either of these situations, when you add iodine to the mix, the metabolic rate speeds up and/or the thyroid gland tries to push out various toxins. This can create die-off reactions and make them feel very sick, because their body is being pushed harder than it can handle.
In this case, it’s best to keep iodine-rich foods at a minimum while you work on the root causes of the elevated thyroid hormones or liver congestion. After the thyroid has moved out of the hyperthyroid state and/or the liver has been properly supported, clients can often re-introduce iodine-rich foods or even iodine supplementation and see positive benefits.
If hyperthyroidism has been ruled out for you, then here are some things to try alongside a nutrient-dense diet:
- Use a castor oil pack over the liver for 3-4 weeks. Then, try adding a bit of kelp powder or yogurt to your 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.
- Along with the castor oil packs, we like to use specific Gemmotherapy remedies such as Rosmarinus or Juniperus that gently drain the liver. Rosa Canina 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 are usually able to then add iodine-rich foods back into the diet and 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 the amount of iodine in various foods for reference (according to the NIH):
Seaweed, nori, dried, 10g or 2 tablespoons        232 mcg
Cod, 3 ounces                               158 mcg
Plain yogurt, 1 cup                            116 mcg
Oysters, 3 ounces                            93 mcg
Milk                                       ~85 mcg (this various according to the season)
Egg                                        26 mcg
Cheese, 1 ounce                             14 mcg
Liver                                       14 mcg
Shrimp, 3 ounces                             13 mcg
Tuna, 3 ounces                               7 mcg
As as you can see in this study, the amount of iodine in milk, fish, and eggs varies upon the geographical location. So, the numbers above are approximate.
I always recommend talking to your practitioner before taking any kind of supplementation.
Should You Eat Iodine-Rich Foods if You Have Hashimoto’s
If you’ve been nervous to eat iodine-rich foods because you’ve heard they aren’t healthy, and you don’t have elevated thyroid hormones, then I recommend giving something like eggs or yogurt 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.
Note: The purpose of this post is to give an overview of iodine and thyroid health from a holistic perspective. This information is not intended to take the place of your doctor’s advice.
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