Top Iodine Uses & Roles in the Body – Should You Use a Supplement?

What is iodine used for in the body and why do people take this mineral in the form of a dietary supplement?

Iodine is an essential trace element, required for normal thyroid function and metabolism. It plays several critical roles in the body and is necessary to produce thyroid hormones which control the overall rate of cellular activity.

As a component of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) iodine influences everything from body weight regulation, skin health, cognitive function, fertility, temperature regulation, cell division and growth, immune function and more.

Iodine is also taken up by the salivary glands, stomach lining, eyes and other organs and tissues in the body where it functions as an antioxidant.

This trace mineral is especially important for normal fetal brain development. An iodine deficiency in the mother can cause a severe form of irreversible mental retardation called cretinism in the fetus.

There is on-going debate about the prevalence of iodine deficiency and how much of this supplement you need for optimal health. Some sources claim that deficiency is a concern in developing countries but is rare in the developed world.

However, other sources claim that the current recommendations for adequate iodine intake are too low to support well-being. Some argue that as many as 19 out of 20 people have low iodine levels and could benefit from increasing their intake.

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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Should You Use an Iodine Supplement?

People use iodine supplements to promote energy levels, healthy skin and hair, weight loss, thyroid function, detoxification, bone and brain health.

According to the University of Maryland’s Medical Center, iodine supplements are also used to improve fibrocystic conditions, prevent and heal damage from exposure to radiation, heal wounds and support healthy thyroid hormone levels.

Iodine is an essential trace element that must be gained from dietary sources to avoid deficiency.

If you live in certain parts of the world, follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, or do not use iodized table salt, you may be at risk of a deficiency.

The US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iodine is 150 micrograms daily. Consuming this amount is believed to be sufficient to meet the health needs of 97% of the healthy adult population, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

However, some healthcare professionals believe that this is not enough to support optimal health and recommend consuming more. This can be accomplished by increasing intake of iodine-rich foods like seaweed and shellfish and/or taking a supplement

One of the purported reasons for increasing intake of this mineral is to counteract increased exposure to toxic substances like halides in the environment.

Exposure to halides like fluoride, bromide and chlorine can interfere with the ability of the thyroid to take up iodine circulating in the blood. These substances block iodine receptors and can cause thyroid dysfunction, as well as various other health problems.

Iodine used to be included in various foods, especially breads, breakfast cereals, milk and table salt. However, foods are not enriched with this mineral as frequently today. As a result, iodine status in the US has significantly decreased since the 1990s.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ” This sharp decline in urinary iodine levels caused some concern during the late 1990s that the iodine sufficiency of the U.S. population could be at risk if this trend continued.”

These are some of the reasons given for using an iodine supplement to increase dietary intake. More research is needed to determine what the optimal dosage of iodine supplementation is. Consult with a doctor to determine whether this health product is appropriate for you.

Iodine Deficiency Supplements

The primary reason for using an iodine dietary supplement is to correct a deficiency in the diet. Being deficient in this mineral can lead to a number of health problems.

A major role for iodine in the body is in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, critical cell signaling molecule that regulate a wide range of physiological processes.

The thyroid hormones Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) are molecules with 3 and 4 iodine atoms respectively. If there is not enough of this mineral in the diet, the thyroid gland is not able to make adequate amounts of T3 or T4, and signs of hypothyroidism can develop.

Between 70 and 80% of iodine in the body is taken up by the thyroid gland. The remainder is found in other parts of the body, particularly in the breasts of women and the prostates of men.

If there is not enough iodine to meet the body’s needs, levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH or thyrotropin) begin to increase. This hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland and regulates the normal production of thyroid hormones.

When levels of TSH are higher, the thyroid gland is able to take up more iodine from the blood and release more T3 and T4. If TSH levels remain elevated for long period of time, it can cause the thyroid gland to expand in an attempt to glean more iodine from circulating blood.

This enlargement of the thyroid is known as a goiter and it is a common sign of being deficient in iodine. Goiters are temporary and can be reversed with iodine supplementation. While goiters are normally painless, they can interfere with normal swallowing and breathing.

In addition to forming a goiter, some other signs of low thyroid functioning (hypothyroidism) include:

• Dry skin and/or other dermatological conditions;
• Hair loss and/or brittle hair;
• Sensitivity to changes in temperature;
• Mental impairment or difficulty concentrating;
• Fatigue/exhaustion;
• Weight gain;
• Irritable moods and lack of enjoyment;
• Muscle cramps or aches;
• Weakness or lethargy;
• Irregular menstrual cycles;
• Low libido;
• Constipation;

Iodine deficiencies occur more often in women than in men. They are most common in pregnant women and older female children.

Low iodine levels resulting in hypothyroidism in children and infants may cause mental and physical development problems.

In the most severe cases, a deficiency can cause mental retardation and/or physical deformities in developing fetuses. Maternal iodine deficiencies are the most common worldwide cause of mental retardation in infants.

Iodine Uses

Iodine supplements are used to promote healthy energy metabolism, cognitive function, skin and hair health, fertility, and general well-being.

Potassium iodine is one form of supplement used commonly to treat those exposed to radiation. Potassium iodine can lessen the amount of radioactive iodine that accumulates in the thyroid gland, possibly reducing thyroid damage and dysfunction.

While potassium iodine can reduce the risk of developing thyroid cancer from radiation exposure, it is not known if it protects from other adverse effects of radiation.

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, iodine is also used for thyroid storm, weight loss, preventing breast cancer, ocular disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. It has also been used for anthrax, syphilis and other bacterial infections.

Topically, iodine is used for skin eruptions called erythema multiforme, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and diabetic ulcers.

There is some clinical evidence that suggests iodine can reduce symptoms associated with oral mucositis.

It seems especially helpful when this inflammatory condition results from radiation or chemotherapy. These therapies break down the epithelial lining of the gastrointestinal system spanning from the mouth to the anus.

Iodine also seems to be helpful for several conditions which are marked by the development of cysts. Some of these conditions include fibrocystic breast disease, uterine fibroids and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).

One review of clinical studies reported that iodine supplementation improved mastalgia (breast tenderness) associated with fibrocystic breast tissue. Women who used the supplement for this purpose experienced very few side effects.

One of the most well-known uses for iodine is the prevention or reversal of goiters. Goiters is a condition affecting the thyroid gland, which causes it to become enlarged. In developed countries, goiters due to low iodine levels are now rare.

However, they were common in certain parts of the United States prior to the 1920’s when 26%–70% of school children were believed to have the condition.

The Great Lakes, Appalachians, and Northwestern states were nicknamed the “goiter belt” due to low iodine status in the diet. To correct this deficiency, the United States adopted iodine-fortified table salt which was found to eliminate the condition.

Medicinal Uses

Iodine is also used in medicine as an antibacterial and antiseptic agent. It demonstrates antiviral and antiparasitic properties.

Most people have used iodine wipes to clean and disinfect wounds. It is also applied to skin before and after surgery to disinfect the area and prevent bacterial contamination.

Lugol’s solution and Povidone-iodine (iodopovidone) are the two forms commonly used as a disinfectant.

Iodine is also used in tablets and liquids to purify water. A liquid 2% tincture has been used.

Lastly, iodine is used as a contrast agent for taking X-ray images. It is administered by mouth or intravenously to make it easier to visualize arteries, veins, the urinary tract brain and joints.

Dosage Recommendations

The US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iodine is 150 micrograms daily for people over 14 years of age. Pregnant women are recommended to take 220 micrograms daily and breastfeeding women are recommended to take 290 micrograms each day.

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.”

Some health professionals argue that the RDA is not adequate to meet optimal health needs, especially for those who have increased exposure to environmental, medical, food and vocational pollutants.

As a dietary supplement, this product is sold in serving sizes between 150 mcg to 12,500 mcg. Dosages vary depending on the form of this mineral used because different formulations are absorbed and retained by the body at different rates.

The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for this mineral is 1100 mcg daily. This is the amount established by the FDA as the highest level of nutrient intake that is likely to result in no adverse side effects for almost all people in the general population.

In Japan, dietary intake of iodine from food sources is estimated to provide 5280 mcg to 13,800 mcg per day without side effects.

However, taking too much iodine as a supplement or from food consumption can result in serious side effects and a condition known as Iodine Poisoning.

According to the National Institute of Medicine, taking more than 600 micrograms of iodine daily can be harmful, especially for those with kidney disease and/or tuberculosis.

Talk to your healthcare provider about the safety of iodine supplementation. Certain side effects and drug interactions with medications are possible. This supplement may not be appropriate for people with certain medical conditions.

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