Iodine Drops Review – How Much To Take for Thyroid Health & More

Liquid iodine drops are purported to boost metabolism and support general well-being in people who have low dietary intake of this mineral.

Iodine is an essential trace chemical element, required by the body to make adequate amounts of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones. If you have an underactive thyroid, the body’s metabolic rate can slow, resulting in a range of potential health problems.

Some of the possible benefits of taking iodine drops include supporting thyroid health, improving detoxification and promoting cognitive function.

Iodine also acts as an antioxidant, can reduce systemic inflammation and is required to prevent the uptake of toxic halogens like astatine, fluorine, chlorine and bromine into the thyroid gland.

Based on user reviews, people take this supplement to improve energy levels, enhance mental sharpness, boost weight loss, promote hair and skin health, support wound healing, promote normal menstrual cycles, and to bolster immune function.

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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Types of Iodine Drops

Oral iodine drop supplements are available in several forms to ensure adequate intake of this essential micronutrient.

The most common forms of liquid products include nascent iodine, iosol, SSKI (saturated solution of potassium iodide), sodium iodide, Lugol’s solution and USP iodine tincture (topical use only).

Some forms are organically derived from natural sources such as seaweed – particularly kelp, bladderwrack extracts and blue-green algae. Other forms are made from mining sea salts, such as potassium iodide.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Dach, you should choose an iodine supplement that contains both molecular iodine and iodide. He says that is important because the body needs both types to function optimally but cannot convert between one another.

Dosages and recommendations for use vary depending on the product used. Below are some of the serving sizes suggested for popular products sold on Amazon:

• J.CROW’S Lugol’s Solution of Iodine 5% – 12.50 mg (5.0 mg iodine and 7.50 mg iodide)
• Detoxadine Premium Organic Nano-Colloidal Nascent Iodine Supplement – 1,950 mcg (1300% DV)
• Infowars Survival Shield X-2 Nascent Iodine (1 oz.) – 650 mcg (433% DV)
• Go Nutrients Nascent Iodine Supplement High Potency Liquid Drops – 2,694 mcg (1,796% DV)

Why Do People Use Iodine Drops?

Iodine is a natural trace element that is important for proper thyroid function. By supporting the production of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), iodine plays a key role in metabolic processes that influence every cell in the human body.

Thyroid hormones control the rate of cellular activity and can influence mitochondrial function, temperature regulation, blood glucose levels as well as the breakdown of stored fats to use as fuel.

Normal thyroid hormone levels can contribute to brain health, energy and mood balance, healthy weight regulation, improved skin, nail and hair quality, as well as the health of reproductive organs and more.

Independent of its effects on thyroid function, tesearch shows that this mineral also demonstrates antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, prodifferentiating, and proapoptotic effects.

NMCD states that iodine is used for endemic goiter (enlarged thyroid), thyroid dysfunction, thyroid storm and exposure to radioactive iodides. It is also used commonly for weight loss, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and preventing thyroid cancer.

Iodine is also used to improve various dermatological conditions. NMCD states that topical use of liquid solutions containing this mineral may improve eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, wound healing and diabetic ulcers.

Liquid iodine drops are also used to purify water due to their anti-microbial effects.

Iodine is especially important for developing fetuses and infants because it is required for normal brain myelination. Pregnant and nursing mothers after often recommended to supplement their diet with this mineral to promote normal brain development in their children.

How to Take Iodine Drops

Different products contain different concentrations of elemental iodine per serving. Furthermore, some forms of iodine are better absorbed and retained by the body than others.

It is best to seek medical advice about the optimal iodine dosage for you. Consider your dietary intake of this mineral as well when determining how much to use as an oral supplement.

According to the FDA, “average iodine intakes in the United States range from 138 to 353 mcg/day across all age and gender groups.” [1]

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iodine is 150 micrograms in healthy adults. This is the estimated amount of nutrient intake per day recommended to maintain good health in 97% of the general population, according to the US Food and Nutrition Board.

Some health professionals contend that the average person needs significantly more than the RDA to promote optimal health. Dietary supplements often provide between 100 – 2000% of the Daily Value for this mineral.

Iodine deficiency is believed to be a significant problem in certain parts of the world, but not in the United States. Fortification of table salt and other foods with iodine is believed to have effectively reduced rates of goiter and thyroid dysfunction which were previously prevalent in Michigan and other parts of the country.

While many sources claim iodine deficiency is rare in the US, some health professionals disagree. According to Dr. David Brownstein, “My research has shown over 96% of the nearly 5,000 patients I have tested deficient (and most severely deficient) in iodine.” [4]

In the US and Canada, the UL (upper tolerable daily amount) for iodine is 1,100 micrograms (1.1 mg). NMCD says that in countries like Japan, average consumption is much higher without causing negative health effects.

The median dietary intake of iodine in Japan ranges from 5280 mcg to 13,800 mcg. This is attributed to greater consumption of edible seaweeds which have high mineral content. [2]

Dr. David Brownstein, recommend taking between 6 to 50 mg per day to restore health and correct a deficiency. Some treatment protocols for cancer and other conditions have used dosages as high as 480 – 570 mg of oral iodine. Doses this high should only be taken under close medical supervision.

Dr. Brownstein says that there is no standard dosage recommendation that applies to all people. He says that individual requirements depends on several factors including:

• Exposure to toxins like mercury, chlorine, fluorine, bromine and astatine;
• The presence of severe health conditions like kidney disease, HIV/AIDS and cancer;
• The body’s ability to assimilate and utilize nutrients;

Dr. Joseph Mercola recommends begining iodine supplementation at very low doses and only increasing slowly while self-monitoring for adverse effects.

You should ask your healthcare provider about the best iodine dosage for your current health state.

Safety & Health Risks

According to NMCD, iodine is rated Likely Safe when used orally in dosages that do not exceed the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL). They note that higher dosages can be used safely with appropriate medical monitoring in therapeutic contexts.

However, getting too much iodine in the diet for prolonged periods of time can cause serious adverse reactions and lead to thyroid dysfunction.

Some possible symptoms of chronic iodine toxicity include goiter, atrial fibrillation, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis and thyroid papillary cancer. [3]

In rare cases, acute iodine poisoning can cause mouth sores, burning in the throat and/or stomach, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and/or diarrhea. In very rare cases, weak pulse and coma have resulted.

Acute iodine poisoning is extremely rare and only occurs when takings supplemental dosages many times greater than the recommended intake.

Most people do not experience negative effects from using iodine drops or pills. This product is generally well tolerated, but could cause stomach irritation, burning of the mouth or throat, fever, nausea, vomiting and cardiovascular problems.

Best Iodine Drop Supplements

When selecting an iodine supplement, it is recommended to chose products that contain both iodine and iodide in adequate amounts.

Lugol’s solution is one of the most popular forms of oral iodine drops. It is commonly available in 2% and 5% concentrations.

Dr. Dcah says that 5% Lugol’s provides 2.5 milligrams of iodide and 3.75 milligrams of iodine in each drop. 2% Lugol’s provides 1.5 mg of iodide and 2.5 mg of iodine per drop.

This natural health product can interact with certain health conditions and medications. Be especially careful if using iodine with antithyroid drugs, potassium-sparing diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. [3]

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