Iodine

Seafood is natures most plentiful source of iodine but in the Western world, iodine mostly comes in a salt boxóspecifically iodized salt.

Iodine is necessary for normal thyroid function. A trace element, iodine combines with the amino acid, tyrosine, to create the thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone accelerates cellular reactions, increases oxygen consumption and basal metabolic rate, influences growth and development, energy metabolism, differentiation and protein synthesis. If iodine intake diminishes, hormone secretion remains constant until the mineral is depleted. Thyroid activity increases, causing an enlargement of the gland, or goiter.

Ocean water, like seafood, is high in iodine content. Goiter is more common in geographic areas that are inland and where iodine is not added to the soil through seepage of ocean water and ocean winds.

This mineral has also shown regulatory action on the effect of estrogen on breast tissue and has been used as a treatment in fibrocystic breast disease.¹ Iodine deficiency is especially problematic during pregnancy as it increases the risk of miscarriage and infant mortality. Children of iodine-deficient mothers are also at risk for goiter, cretinism, mental and growth retardation, and neonatal thyroid impairment.

• Cod
• Cod-liver oil
• Haddock
• Herring
• Lobster
• Oysters
• Salmon, canned
• Salt, table (iodized) and sea
• Seaweed
• Shrimp
• Sunflower seeds

Available as:

• Tablets: Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• Oral solution: Dilute in at least 1/2 glass water or other liquid. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• Enteric-coated tablets are NOT RECOMMENDED. They may cause obstruction, bleeding, perforation of small bowel.
• WARNING: DO NOT USE THE ANTISEPTIC IODINE PRODUCTS DESIGNED FOR CLEANING CUTS AND SCRAPES AS A LIQUID NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT!¹

PROVEN BENEFITS:

• Promotes normal function of thyroid gland.
• Promotes normal cell function.
• Tests thyroid function before and after administration of a radioactive form of iodine.
• Keeps skin, hair, nails healthy.
• Protects thyroid gland after accidental exposure to radiation.
• Protects against breast cancer.
• Prevents goiter.
• What this mineral does:
• Iodine is an integral part of the thyroid hormones tetraiodothyronine (thyroxin) and triiodothyronine.¹

SPECULATED UNPROVED BENEFITS:

• Cures anemia.
• Treats angina pectoris.
• Treats arteriosclerosis.
• Treats arthritis.
• Treats erythema nodosum.
• Restores vigor.
• Solves hair problems.
• Treats sporotrichosis infection of skin.¹

• Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake or increased nutritional requirements.
• Anyone who lives in a region where the soil is deficient in iodine. Deficiency is usually treated by using iodized table salt.
• People who eat large amounts of food that can cause thyroid goiter, such as spinach, lettuce, turnips, beets, rutabagas, kale.

Miscellaneous information:

• Iodated salt and use of iodophores as antiseptics by the dairy industry are the main source of iodine in most diets. It is safe to consume 100-300mcg/day.¹

• Childhood deficiencies:
• Depressed growth
• Delayed sexual development
• Mental retardation
• Deafness
• Adult deficiencies:
• Goiter
• Symptoms of low-thyroid-hormone level (children and adults):
• Listlessness
• Sluggish behavior¹

UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

• Baldness
• Tiredness
• Chest pain¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

• Tests may indicate lower-than-normal thyroid function, implying a deficiency of iodine in some cases¹

Optimal Levels

• 50-300 mcg

Minimum Dosage

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):

Estimate of adequate daily intake by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council, 1989.

Don't take if you:

• Have elevated serum potassium (determined by laboratory study).
• Have myotonia congenita.

Consult your doctor if you have:

• Hyperthyroidism.
• Kidney disease.
• Taken or are taking amiloride, antithyroid medications, lithium, spironolactone, triamterene.

Pregnancy:

• If too much iodine is consumed during pregnancy, the infant may have thyroid enlargement, hypothyroidism or cretinism (dwarfism and mental deficiency).

Breast feeding:

• Avoid supplements while nursing.
• Iodine in milk can cause skin rash and suppression of normal thyroid function in infant.
• Don't take megadoses.

Effect on lab tests:

• May cause false elevation in all thyroid function studies.
• Interferes with test for naturally occurring steroids in urine.

Storage:

• Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't freeze.
• Store safely out of reach of children.
• Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of mineral.¹

OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

Signs and symptoms:

• Irregular heartbeat, confusion, swollen neck or throat, bloody or black, tarry stools.

What to do:

• For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS.
• For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle): Call emergency services, the telephone operator or your nearest Poison Control Center.¹

ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES