In the late fall of 2014 I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Later on in early 2015, I would find out that I had an extremely low iodine level. What does this have to do with having an under-active thyroid? A lot.
Because of what I went through, I believe that it’s highly underestimated as to how much iodine we all really need to be healthy in this day and age. Iodine is a powerful mineral that boosts our immune systems and cleans our cells. With viruses mutating, increasing environmental toxins, and poor soil quality, it only seems right that we need more iodine than conventionally thought.
How Much Do We Need?
According to Dr. Robert Thompson M.D., “iodine you consume in foods and supplements is excreted from the body in 24-48 hours, which means daily consumption or supplementation of iodine is critical for health.” You can read his book, What Doctors Fail to Tell You About Iodine and Your Thyroid to find out more about which iodine supplement he takes and suggests, as well as much more on this topic.
Your level of iodine found through testing will help you determine how much you need to take. This is discussed in more detail below. The World Health Organization suggests that adults and adolescents need 150 mcg per day, and pregnant and lactating women need 250 mcg per day. Someone like Dr. Robert Thompson has concluded through his own research that the thyroid alone needs 5 mg of iodine per day. He explains that the breast cells, ovaries, uterus, prostate, and pancreas use it as well, so higher dosages are warranted for almost everyone. He personally takes 50 mg per day, while his colleague and well-known thyroid expert Dr. Brownstein takes 75 mg per day.
Iodine Deficiency: The Thyroid, Pregnancy, and Beyond
Iodine is a trace mineral and an essential building material for thyroid hormones t3 and t4. Inadequate intake leads to insufficient production of these hormones, which in-turn causes hypothyroidism. According to Dr. Robert Thompson, thyroid disease, cancers, infertility, fibrocystic diseases, obesity, mental retardation, allergies, asthma, and brain-related disorders are all tied to having inadequate stores of iodine.
Dr. Thompson goes on to tell us that The World Health Organization tells us that about 15% of the world’s population is iodine deficient. Dr. David Brownstein, the author of Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It, says that 90% of the 5,000 patients he has tested are iodine insufficient, meaning they have just enough to avoid goiter, but not enough for good health. Back in 1995, this man was writing that more than half of all pregnant women were iodine deficient. What do you think that number is today considering how much the toxic load in our environment has increased, and how much more disruption there has been in the soil and food supply?
Foods
Iodine should consistently be a part of our diets, or consumed in supplements. The challenge with getting it from our foods is that our soils have suffered greatly due to conventional agricultural practices. The dirt has been stripped of trace minerals and nutrients. Chemical fertilizer use and ignoring planting methods to maintain biodiversity have depleted soils of beneficial bacteria and nutrients. Buying organic and supporting farms who are growing food properly is critical to rebuilding our ecosystem and our bodies.
Here are some top foods that offer iodine. These foods have the highest amounts:
Sea Vegetables like kelp and other seaweeds – Making miso soup or adding wakame to water to make a stock to cook with are good options. I also like using dulse flakes as a salt substitute, or simply adding them to soups, salads, or pasta. Another option is to take a seaweed detox bath where you can literally immerse yourself in whole, organic bladderwrack seaweed. In addition to gaining the iodine and 65+ vitamins and minerals, you are getting the detoxifying benefits of seaweed.
Wild-Caught Cod– Be sure to buy wild caught, and look for certifications stating that it’s a sustainable fishery.
Organic, grass-fed (preferably raw) milk, yogurt, and cheese – There is a major difference between dairy that comes from grass-fed/pasture-raised cows and cows that are eating grain, corn, soy, and other mystery feeds from large farms. Go to eatwild.com to find a farm near you that’s humanely raising organic, grass-fed dairy that is preferably raw.
Organic, pasture-raised eggs – The same that is true with dairy is true with eggs or meat. Chickens are supposed to be foraging on grass, following natural patterns, and eating whatever they can overpower. Sometimes it’s plants, and sometimes it’s bugs or smaller animals. Visit eatwild.com to find pasture-raised poultry.
Testing Your Iodine Level and Supplementing
Please remember that I am not a doctor. Be sure to have your iodine level tested with a blood or urine test. Iodine is released from the body through urine, so urine tests are most frequently used. According to Dr. Brownstein, the most reliable measure is a loading test, where a patient is given 50 mg of iodine and urine levels are measured for 24 hours. You can click here for more information about this kind of test and where you or your doctor can order one.
Supplements
Here are a couple of options that I have personally tried, and have been effective for me.
Liquid Kelp:
Natural Factors Liquid Kelp is what I’ve been using most recently to aid my body in building back up to an adequate level of iodine. I’m pregnant with my third baby, and recently had my level tested. It was low, so this is helping me greatly.
Kelp Tablets:
Solgar North Atlantic Kelp was the first kelp supplement I took, and I stuck with these until I recently discovered the liquid. I did get lazy with taking my kelp tablets over the last few months, which is why I think my levels went down again. As an O positive blood type, I seem to go through iodine more quickly than normal.
The liquid is more potent, and I find it easier to take. These tablets are thick, so some people may prefer to just take the liquid. Either way, they will be effective.
An Important Note on Halogens
Iodine is a halogen, but it’s extremely beneficial to us. Chlorine, fluoride, and bromine are halogens as well, but they hurt us. They block our body’s ability to absorb and use iodine properly. Doing things like filtering municipal water that has chlorine, using fluoride-free toothpaste, and using non brominated flours like King Arthur will cut down your intake of harmful halogens. You can read more about this in both Dr. Robert Thompson’s book and Dr. Brownstein’s book.
Helping Others to Have Hope
There’s one reason I sit here and write these posts; I’m determined to help others. I will NEVER forget the feeling of loneliness, confusion, despair, and fear that engulfed me when I was sick and didn’t know what to do. Please don’t hesitate to comment or contact me with any questions. There are alternatives and resources, and most of all, there is hope.
From my heart,
Lindsay
Leave a Reply