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March 5, 2019

Why Iodine is Essential for Thyroid Health

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There is a lot of confusion about iodine, especially when it comes to thyroid disease. Many people have heard that all iodine is dangerous, or that it can cause thyroid disease symptoms to worsen. But what’s the real story? Let’s take a closer look at the facts. 

Why Iodine is Essential for Thyroid Health

The Benefits of Iodine

Iodine is present in every organ and tissue in the body. It’s not only necessary for proper thyroid hormone production, but it’s also needed for fetal development, the health of the salivary glands, proper immune system function, hormone balance, healthy breast tissue, and the prostate, ovaries and skin. 

Iodine contains antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antiviral, and anticancer properties. It can be helpful to treat breast diseases, fatigue, goiter, fibrocystic breasts, thyroid disorders, and hypertension, just to name a few. 

It’s also an essential component of the thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, and is necessary for normal thyroid function.  

A meta-analysis of studies on iodine in China concluded that the level of iodine nutrition plays a crucial role in the intellectual development of children. 

A study published in the Lancet concluded that iodine deficiency during pregnancy adversely affects children’s mental development. 

This study showed that iodine can be useful to treat fibrocystic breast tissue. 

Iodine deficiency is recognized as the most common cause of preventable brain damage in the world.

This is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why the body needs iodine. But, as you can see, it’s incredibly important!

Now, let’s take a look at how iodine is necessary and helpful for the thyroid.

Iodine and Hypothyroidism 

If you don’t have enough iodine in the body, you cannot make enough thyroid hormones, in particular T4, which can lead to hypothyroidism.

Additionally, iodine plays a significant role in the liver’s ability to convert FT4 to the active thyroid hormone FT3. When the body under-converts FT4 to FT3, this can also lead to hypothroidism.

Why Iodine is Essential for Thyroid Health

Iodine and Hashimoto’s Disease

With Hashimoto’s, the immune system knows there’s something abnormal going on in the thyroid tissues and attacks the tissue. 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, etc.

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

However, 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 FT4, 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 make them feel very sick, because their body is being pushed harder than it can handle.

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

  1. Use a castor oil pack over the liver for 3-4 weeks. Then, try adding a bit of kelp powder or sea vegetable powder 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.
  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 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.

Why Iodine is Essential for Thyroid Health

Iodine and Hyperthyroidism

If you have elevated fT4 or fT3, then you should talk to your nutritionist about the right amount of iodine that your body needs. As I mentioned above, we need iodine for more than just thyroid hormone production, but if you are make too much thyroid hormone, then eating too much iodine can possibly create further hyperthyroid issues.

In general, it’s usually ok to eat foods that contain iodine such as pastured eggs, raw cheese, butter, and some wild seafood, but you’d want to avoid eating large amounts of seaweed or other foods that contain a very high amount of iodine in them. I have a reference chart below so you can see the various amounts of iodine in different foods.

In our practice, we’ve found that if we steps to help the client move out of the hyper state and balance fT4 and fT3, then if they had been having issues with iodine-rich foods in the past, we are able to add them back and then add supplementation if necessary.

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.

Iodine and Goiter

Thyroid enlargement, or goiter, is one of the earliest and most visible signs of iodine deficiency. 

When iodine intake is insufficient, the thyroid tries to “trap” more iodine and so will enlarge to do this. A common solution to goiter is iodine supplementation. It’s always best to consult with a practitioner who’s extensively trained in nutrition to figure out the proper dosage. 

On a side note, castor oil packs over the thyroid combined with iodine supplementation can be very helpful for those with goiter.

Iodine and Thyroid Cysts or Thyroid Nodules

Iodine deficiency can cause thyroid nodules, so increasing your intake of iodine-rich foods or taking an iodine supplement can be helpful to reduce them.  

While thyroid cysts aren’t often caused by iodine deficiency, we’ve seen in our practice that clients with thyroid cysts often see positive results when they include an iodine supplement along with the protocol their doctor has prescribed. 

Last year, one of my clients had a thyroid cyst, so she took an iodine supplement and diligently used castor oil packs over her thyroid for several months. She was elated when her doctor did an ultrasound and told her the cysts had shrunk significantly. 

How Much Iodine Do I Need Each Day?

While the RDA is 200mcg, most thyroid experts believe this is too low. Many medical doctors who specialize in thyroid health such as Guy Abraham, M.D., and David Brownstein, M.D. recommend amounts anywhere between 12.5 – 37.5 mg daily.

In our practice, we’ve found that doses closer to 600mcg – 6mg daily are well tolerated, but it’s important to remember that we are all biochemically individual, so what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another. 

If you feel you need supplementation, I always recommend consulting with a practitioner who is well-versed in nutrition to help you figure out the best dosage for your body. 

How Does Someone Become Deficient in Iodine?

If there isn’t enough iodine in the diet, then deficiency can follow. Swimming, bathing or drinking chlorinated and/or fluoridated water or a high consumption of bakery products (breads, pastas, etc. ) that contain bromide can cause iodine deficiency. And, vegan and vegetarian diets can sometimes result in iodine deficiency.

Why Iodine is Essential for Thyroid Health
Best Food Sources of Iodine 

The body does not make iodine, so it’s essential to include it as part of your diet. Here’s a list of iodine-rich foods:

  • Sea vegetables, such as kelp, dulse, nori and wakame
  • Wild seafood
  • Unprocessed, organic dairy, such as raw milk, raw cream, cultured yogurt, etc. 
  • Pastured/organic eggs

Is Iodized Salt a Good Source of Iodine?

“Not only is iodized salt a poor source of iodine, but we have been conditioned to avoid salt by the media and by mainstream medicine. Presently, less than half of U.S. households use salt. As a result, iodine levels have fallen by more than 50% over the last 40 years as reported by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from the Centers for Disease Control. This is a recipe for making a whole population of U.S. citizens iodine-deficient. That is exactly what has happened in the United States and many other western countries.” Dr. Brownstein

Iodized salt is a processed food that has been bleached, stripped of its many natural minerals, and had anti-caking agents added (commonly dextrose) that come from GMO corn.

I recommend using Celtic Sea salt daily as it contains over 80 different minerals including naturally-occurring iodine.

Iodine Sufficiency Testing

If you’d like to get tested to see if you’re deficient in iodine, there are two options: 

  1. A simple iodine patch test is a simple and easy way to test. 
  2. Many labs offer a 24-hour collection test. I recommend asking your practitioner if that’s a good fit for 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.

Filed Under: Thyroid Disease, Thyroid Disease | 28 Comments

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28 Comments

  1. Leanne Crawley

    March 6, 2019 at 8:18 pm

    Carrie, I really appreciate all the wonderful info you share here, and the delicious recipes on you blog! I have a question. I've been a follower of Dr. Brownstein's for years. At his recommendation, I began taking Iodoral 12.5 mg, twice a day. As a vegetarian, my iodine intake had been minimal. 3 years later, I developed hypothyroidism. Is it possible I caused my problem? I have been reading conflicting reports about safe levels. My weight was stable for years, and now I struggle with an extra 20 pounds since my diagnosis. I have to admit I've been grieving a bit, thinking I've made my self ill, in an effort to stay healthy! Your input is greatly appreciated.
    to Leanne Crawley" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Leanne Crawley'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      March 11, 2019 at 5:50 pm

      I'm so glad you're looking at all sides of the coin to figure things out! It's hard to say without knowing your full health history exactly what caused your hypothyroidism. It is difficult to get all of the necessary nutrients as a vegetarian that the body needs, especially to keep the endocrine system in balance, but then again, maybe you've gotten the right nutrients and there's been another root cause for you. Anyone dealing with hypothyroidism, always has some sort of root adrenal imbalance, so that's where I'd first get started. https://deliciouslyorganic.net/20-steps-heal-adrenal-fatigue/
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
    • Nadine

      May 2, 2020 at 9:20 pm

      Hi just came across your blog I’m 25 years of age and I was the first youngest in my doctors to get this tyroid disease I was16.. I was very depressed for many years for no reason until I came across this tyroid condition.. my doctor told me I be on medication for life and everything be ok.. untill I start to educate myself on it I’m still trying to fight it how I feel everyday my mood and first is up and down I lost a baby last year over not been on the right medication due to my doctor telling me he didn’t have to mentoring my tyroid were is he should of.. is this true if you ever want a baby you have to plan it ?? And do you have to be on a good diet to feel good? Thanks so much for your page I’m learning a lot 🙏😘
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  2. Kim

    March 6, 2019 at 11:03 pm

    I am wanting to do castor oil packs but I have 83 titanium staples over my complete abdomen after a major hernia repair. Is it safe to do castor oil packs over titanium. I cant find any info regarding that. Look forward to your reply.
    to Kim" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Kim'>Reply to this comment
  3. Elaine

    March 7, 2019 at 12:52 pm

    I tested my iodine and its 58mcg/L, what is the range it should be at if one is hypothyroid? I did not see a range on the article. Thanks, Elaine
    to Elaine" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Elaine'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      March 11, 2019 at 5:46 pm

      It's hard to say without looking at what kind of test, the range, etc. I would talk to your practitioner about your results.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
      • Joey

        March 17, 2019 at 6:17 pm

        Hi, I’m so glad to stumble across your blog and all your great information and recipes! I see so much conflicting information. I was seeing a naturalpathic doctor who’s taken my bloodwork for a about 2 years to keep me in balance and optimal aging. She put me on a triple bio identical hormone cream. At that time I also went vegetarian and my t3 was off. 6 mo later I go back for another test to see if my hormones we doing well on the cream and she told me my tests indicated I was hyperthyroid, high cortisol and my liver was off too. So I went to an endocrinologist and she re rested me and said I have Graves. I’ve been feeling the side effects for about a month. The doctor put me on Methimazole but I haven’t taken it. I bought a load of supplements and no gluten, dairy or sugar. Do you think I can reverse this without taking the Meds? And should I be eating or taking iodine? I was told to stay away from it since I my thyroid was overactive. Thank you so much!
        to Joey" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Joey'>Reply to this comment
        • Deliciously Organic

          March 25, 2019 at 2:02 pm

          Legally, I can't tell you what to do with your medications, so you'll need to talk to your doctor about that. This in-depth article about Graves should help! https://deliciouslyorganic.net/graves-disease-the-cause-symptoms-labs-and-first-steps-to-take/
          to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
          • Rita

            September 1, 2021 at 2:15 pm

            Lots of great information! Thank you!
            to Rita" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Rita'>Reply to this comment
    • Angela

      June 24, 2020 at 11:44 pm

      So a goiter could mean iodine deficiency - but with hyperthyroidism, you have a goiter and taking iodine would make it worse, right? It wouldn’t help decrease the goiter - it would enlarge it even more, right?
      to Angela" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Angela'>Reply to this comment
      • Deliciously Organic

        June 25, 2020 at 11:25 am

        I would read the section in the article above where I talk about iodine and hyperthyroidism.
        to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
        • Salam

          October 16, 2021 at 7:28 pm

          My daughter is 23 had hypothyroidism what food to avoid and which one to eat more of and why, thanks
          to Salam" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Salam'>Reply to this comment
          • Deliciously Organic

            October 18, 2021 at 10:47 am

            Here you go: https://deliciouslyorganic.net/thyroid-diet-hypothyroidism-hashimoto-hyperthyroidism-graves/
            to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  4. D

    April 5, 2019 at 11:28 am

    I clicked on the celtic sea salt link and the package indicates that it does not contain iodine.
    to D" aria-label='Reply to this comment to D'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      April 9, 2019 at 12:15 pm

      It says it doesn't contain "iodide", but it does contain naturally-occurring iodine.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
      • Liezel

        October 10, 2020 at 6:09 am

        Hi Carrie, I took Spirulina for 3 weeks and tested shortly afterwards, with a then doubled TSH count and amplified ant i-TPO's! Is the Wolf Chaikoff effect transient and if so for how long? Also I took a serum mercury test (neg), in light of unprotected filling removal, but now realised that I should have chelated beforehand and ask for a urine mercury test rather, right? Thanks, keep your insights and recipes coming!
        to Liezel" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Liezel'>Reply to this comment
        • Deliciously Organic

          October 12, 2020 at 11:07 am

          I'm not familiar with the Wolf Chaikoff effect, so I can't comment on that. These articles might help: https://deliciouslyorganic.net/how-to-reduce-tsh-naturally-hypothyroid/ https://deliciouslyorganic.net/hashimotos-disease-cause-symptoms-labs/
          to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  5. Elizabeth

    April 6, 2019 at 3:23 pm

    Could you tell me if the Iodine Patch Test is available in Australia. I have suffered with Hypothyroidism for a number of years with weight gain and extreme fatigue.
    to Elizabeth" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Elizabeth'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      April 9, 2019 at 12:14 pm

      Yes, you simply purchase iodine and then do the test yourself at home.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  6. Carol L

    April 8, 2019 at 7:32 pm

    Just wondering why you "pooh pooh" Himalayan Pink salt and prefer Celtic salt. I use both, and believe they are very comparable. Are you aware of something I'm not regarding Himalayan Pink salt?
    to Carol L" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Carol L'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      April 9, 2019 at 12:13 pm

      I'm not again Himalayan Salt, but I prefer it because it contains more iodine and magnesium.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
    • Angela

      December 5, 2020 at 8:19 am

      Hi Carrie , Please could you tell me if Jamie Oliver Mediterranean Sea salt is ok to take as I use that. I have had a thyroid nodule for a year now though thankfully it has not grown. I always stay away from supplements that contain Iodine as I find they make me more tired and flu symptoms. I have hypothyroidism. I recently started Igennue B complex which has helped. Can you order iodine test in the Uk I am from Northern Ireland. I am killed with migraines doc just supply’s more painkillers which I think is probably not good for my liver. I have never tried castor oil packs as I’m scared of them making me unwell as I suffer from vertigo too, it has improved a good bit. I have constant ear infections but doc says it’s stress. Please can you offer any advice I would really appreciate it? Many thanks Angela
      to Angela" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Angela'>Reply to this comment
      • Deliciously Organic

        December 7, 2020 at 9:54 am

        Legally, I can't give personal health advice, so I recommend asking your practitioner about the best forms of iodine for you.
        to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  7. Angela Waterford

    May 31, 2019 at 7:01 am

    It's good to know that iodine can be found every organ and tissue of the body but I know that I need more than what I eat right now to get the proper daily amount that I need. I think I will buy some 12.5mg vegan tablet supplements of it since I want to benefit from its anti-cancer properties. Since it's useful to treat fibrocystic breast tissue as well, I'll look for stores online that sell them so that I can have a healthy body.
    to Angela Waterford" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Angela Waterford'>Reply to this comment
  8. Brittany

    January 28, 2021 at 10:15 am

    Hi. What is the recommended serving size for the sea vegetable powder you suggested?
    to Brittany" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Brittany'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      January 28, 2021 at 10:49 am

      A small pinch
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      January 28, 2021 at 10:50 am

      A pinch is a serving
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  9. Diana

    July 7, 2021 at 9:30 am

    What about those like me who developed goiters, not nodules, and they manifested over the years due to a PCP not listening to his patient therefore causing the goiters, not nodules, to become so large I literally couldn't swallow? I had my thyroid removed in 1999 due to this physician not listening to me and having the necessary tests performed. One of my goiters was the size of a small lemon and one was a solid mass after almost 14 years of my PCP not listening to me. I, was, diagnosed with Hematomochrosis in 2018 as well and I have to be extremely careful not to over consume foods containing iron. I carry only one of the genes, thankfully not both. What would your recommendation be for someone like me. I am not in a position to spend a lot of money on supplements other than the multivitamin I have to take along with my Vitamin D3.
    to Diana" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Diana'>Reply to this comment

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Hi, I’m Carrie Vitt, 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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