Iodine and Hypothyroidism – Will This Supplement Raise Low Thyroid Hormone Levels?

Low iodine levels in the diet can lead to hypothyroidism and thyroid enlargement (goiter).

Use of iodine dietary supplements is sometimes recommended to people with thyroid conditions including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and low thyroid hormone levels.

Iodine (I) is a trace mineral required by the body to support normal thyroid activity and metabolism. It is required for the synthesis of hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).

Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland cannot produce adequate amounts of T3 and T4. Because the activity of all cells and systems in the body is regulated by these hormones, adequate availability of iodine is very important for overall health.

If you are deficient in iodine, endocrine hormones may become imbalanced and various health problems can result. [1]

Some signs of low iodine status include fatigue, weight gain, impaired mental function, poor immune function, sensitivity to cold temperatures and changes in mood.

Iodine

Essential Mineral

Brain Power

Thyroid Function

Weight Loss

How It Works:

• Important for thyroid hormones & metabolism
• Supports mental function & immunity
• Essential nutrient with multiple roles in the body

Dosage:

Between 50 - 250 mg per day

Safety:

Generally Well Tolerated

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Iodine and Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition marked by an underactive thyroid gland, which can result in a slowing of metabolic activity throughout the body.

Hypothyroidism can result from a number of different causes, but the most common is the inflammatory autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s disease wherein the body produces antibodies that attack thyroid tissue.

This condition can decrease the rate at which the thyroid gland is able to synthesize the hormones T3 and T4. Use of an iodine supplement may help to alleviate symptoms and increase production of thyroid hormones.

Inside the thyroid gland, the amino acid tyrosine and iodide are used to produce T3 and T4 thyroid hormones.

T3 is the active form of the hormone and T4 is a prohormone of T3. Together, T3 and T4 regulate metabolic functions including respiration, heart rate, digestion and energy metabolism.

T3 and T4 are also involved in regulating the production and functioning of various other hormones. [3] An imbalance in T3 and/or T4 can result in imbalances in other hormones including testosterone and estrogen.

More serious, long-term complications of hypothyroidism can result if left unaddressed. Some examples include:

• Systemic sclerosis, a disease that affects connective tissues;
• Hearing problems and complete loss of hearing;
• Long-lasting impact on learning capacity;
• Detrimental effects on personal relationships;
• Harmful changes in cardiovascular function;

Early Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Some of the early signs of hypothyroidism include weight gain, depression and elevations in serum cholesterol. Women may experience irregularities in their menstrual cycle, heavy periods and/or infertility.

Men with hypothyroidism often experience a lack of sexual desire, possibly due to decreased testosterone production. [2]

In aggravated cases, a goiter can develop. A goiter occurs when the thyroid gland (located at the base of the neck) becomes enlarged due to elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the body.

When the body is not able to make adequate amounts of thyroid hormones to meet physiological needs, the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete TSH.

TSH binds to receptors on the thyroid gland, causing it to increase in size so that it can take up more iodine from the blood.

If there is not sufficient iodine in the blood, TSH levels continue to rise promoting the growth of the thyroid gland. However, thyroid hormone levels remain unchanged because of a lack of iodine available to synthesize these hormones.

The result is a goiter, which is usually not painful but can interfere with swallowing and breathing.

Research shows that goiters can be reserved with the help of iodine supplementation.

Prevalence of Iodine Deficiency

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is a serious public health threat for 2 billion people worldwide.”

Maternal iodine deficiency is known to be the leading cause of mental retardation worldwide. WHO states that deficiency in this mineral also causes “less visible, yet pervasive, mental impairment that reduces intellectual capacity at home, in school and at work.”

One of the most common symptoms of iodine deficiency is hypothyroidism. According to Dr. Edward Group III, it is estimated that hypothyroidism affects more than 20 million people in the US alone.

He states that more than 50% of those with hypothyroidism are unaware of it.

According to Dr. Group, nutritional iodine deficiencies in the diet are the most common cause of low thyroid hormone levels. Low iodine levels in the body may also result from:

• Use of tobacco and/or alcohol products;
• Exposure to radioactive substances;
• Use of certain prescription medications;
• Pregnancy and lactation;
• Genetic predisposition;
• Impaired nutrient absorption due to gastrointestinal problems;
• Unmanaged stress;

The human body is incapable of producing iodine de novo (from scratch). We must derive it from the diet in order to meet our daily needs.

Prior to the 1920’s, iodine deficiency was a major health problem in certain parts of the United States. In the “goiter belt” region of the Great Lakes, Appalachians, and Northwestern US an estimated 26%–70% of school children had goiters.

In the US, Switzerland, Canada and many other countries, salt enriched with iodine was introduced into the food supply to prevent deficiency.

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, “most people in the United States consume sufficient iodine in their diets from iodized salt and food additives.”

However, some health professionals disagree with this finding and claim that deficiency remains a common problem in the North American Diet.

Iodine Therapy for Hypothyroidism

As a therapy for low thyroid hormone levels and goiter induced by iodine deficiency, supplements have been used at a dosage of 400mcg di-iodotyrosine or 500mcg of iodide per day. 50-200mcg dosages of iodide have also been used for gestational goiter.

In some cases of hypothyroidism, iodine supplementation is used in addition to synthetic thyroid hormone replacement treatments with levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid).

Dr. David Brownstein is the author of “Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It.” He claims that more than 95% of the 6,000 patients he has tested in his practice were deficient in iodine.

Dr. Brownstein says that successful treatment of any thyroid disorder, including autoimmune thyroid disease like Graves and Hashimoto’s, is not possible unless iodine levels are adequate.

He writes, “My experience has shown that iodine in doses ranging from 6-50mg/day is adequate to provide iodine for the vast majority of the population.”

According to Dr. Mark Sircus, the current US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iodine of 150 micrograms daily (mcg/day) is insufficient to maintain optimal health.

Dr. Sircus recommends 30 drops of nascent iodine daily for basic supplementation purposes in children. This is significantly more than the commonly suggested 1 to 3 drops taken 3 times a day.

Dr. Sircus states that hypothyroidism is only one possible adverse effect associated with iodine deficiency. He says that being deficient in this mineral slows all functioning in the body, leading to:

• Increased sensitivity to cold temperatures;
• Slow-growing, brittle nails and hair;
• Stiff tendon reflexes;
• Decreased heart rate;
• Sluggish digestion;

Dr. Sircus also states that a lack of iodine can dull the personality, cause irritability, deteriorate memory and cause extreme apathy.

If you are concerned about how low iodine and hypothyroidism may be affecting your health, talk to your primary healthcare provider.

If you think you may have low thyroid hormone levels, do not self-treat this condition by using an iodine supplement. It is important to have your thyroid function assessed by a medical professional to determine the appropriate strategy for your health needs.

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