Posted on 06/16/2020 12:22:45 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Abstract
Iodine is a trace element that is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones in the thyroid gland. Evidence suggests that excess iodine intake exerts a triggering effect on the development of autoimmune thyroiditis (AT), with many studies reporting a rising incidence in iodine sufficient countries. Processing excess iodine in thyroid follicular cells, during thyroid hormone synthesis, may result in increased amounts of reactive oxygen species, leading to thyroid cell damage and the triggering of thyroid autoimmunity. Another trace element, selenium found in high amounts in the thyroid, is very important for thyroid physiology. Selenium is incorporated into selenoproteins that are involved in the protection of thyroid cells from oxidative damage, incurred by exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O) originating during thyroid hormone synthesis. Population studies suggest an increased prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity in areas following iodine fortification, and a possible protective effect with selenium adequacy. In animal models, selenium has been shown to reverse the induction of autoimmune thyroiditis caused by excess iodine intake. It appears therefore, that an optimal balance between iodine and selenium is important for maintaining normal thyroid function, and that the loss of such balance in favor of iodine, may play a role for the rising trend of autoimmune thyroidits, currently seen in iodine sufficient countries.
Conclusions and future perspectives
Evidence from clinical research suggests that excess iodine intake can act as an environmental risk factor for the development of autoimmune thyroid disease in populations of iodine sufficient countries. Similarly, in animal studies high iodine intake may exacerbate a pre-existing autoimmune thyroiditis. It is believed that redundant H2O2 are generated during oxidation and organification of excessive iodine in thyroid cells, leading to elevated oxidative stress and resulting in oxidative cell damage. However, this may occur only if selenium is deficient. Optimal selenium intake exerts a protective effect against iodine- induced oxidative cell damage by enhancing glutathione peroxidase activity and providing antioxidant protection to the thyroid cell. It appears, that selenium status may play an important role in preventing iodine- induced AT, and that an optimal balance between iodine and selenium is important for maintaining normal thyroid function. It can, therefore, be concluded that an iodine to selenium imbalance, in favor of iodine, may be responsible for the rising trend of AT in iodine sufficient countries. At a clinical level, studies have shown that selenium administration may improve autoimmune laboratory parameters in patients with established AT.24 Further studies are awaited to demonstrate the impact of such intervention in modifying the natural course of thyroid autoimmunity. It is tempting to speculate that, the real impact of selenium would be in preventing the manifestation of AT in those individuals at high risk of developing the condition, after exposure to high iodine intake. Thus, in implementing future iodine prophylaxis programs, balancing the effect of iodine with concurrent selenium administration, is expected to have a favorable outcome on the risk of AT.
My question is, what form does the iodine supplementation take? That is extremely relevant to the discussion.
This is a good brand. Dr. Mercola
https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Mercola-Iodine-Supplements-capsules/dp/B00SCCM5PQ
I assume there are iodine pills, maybe tincture. What else is there?
From what I’ve read, potassium iodide is best, but Lugol’s Solution and Iodoral mix two versions.
It appears we need iodine, but in the US, the Upper Tolerable Limit is 1,100 MICROgrams or 1.1 MILLIgrams a day, according to resources I’ve seen.
Zinc, iron, and a few other nutritional elements are wise with iodine.
About Thyroid Vitamins:
https://www.healthline.com/health/thyroid-vitamins#nutrition
lack of selenium causes hashimoto’s, not excess iodine. I take 25-50 mg per day of iodine and 200 mcg of selenium. No antibodies here.
you must take a ratio of iodine to iodide and the 2 best options are Lugol’s (liquid) and Iodoral (pill form). The 12.5mg of pill form is 7.5mg iodide to 5mg iodine. I may have that backwards as I’m not looking at the label.
There’s a conversion chart for the drops, the most prevalent being 2% which converts to Xmg per drop
those are both actually iodide AND iodine, which is crucial to get the benefit.
that’s not true. I take upwards of 50mg per day. 1100 mcg’s is only 1.1mg. That’s a VERY tiny amount. Essentially ineffective.
I’ve been reading a bit since we last chatted.
Thank you for the iodine insights!
you’re so welcome. ask away; I’ve studied this in great detail
What I said is true for the official Upper Tolerable Limit for Iodine in the US:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222323/
One may choose to go beyond that limit, but that is the official limit.
Well, I think one of the most common is iodized table salt, which really isn’t necessary to supplement people’s diets anymore in the developed world, but many people don’t know that and still use it.
Cut it out, you don’t need it. Use kosher salt for cooking and get sea salt in a grinder for seasoning, and you’ll never miss that metallic aftertaste that iodized salt leaves behind.
I discard any government website that thinks they know what they’re talking about. You should too.
They have no clue what they’re talking about.
we need more iodine now more than ever. We should not use table salt simply for the fact that it’s been stripped of minerals and then had bleach and anti caking chemicals added to it. The miniscule amount of iodine added was at the behest of our government probably close to 100 years ago as there was a rampant rise in goiters across our nation. The goiters shrunk back down once the iodine was added but we need it for so much more.
There are now 3 very prominent toxins in our environment that mimic iodine by attaching to our iodine receptors and blocking our ability to absorb the very little we get in our diet. Those are chlorine, flouride and bromine. We need higher doses of iodine to offset the toxins but it is also crucial for reproductive health.
Bkmrk
Sea food and kelp.
And if you use iodized salt that can also be a way.
Autoimmune disease runs in my family: Hashimoto’s Grave’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Type 1 Diabetes, and Lupus. I and my mother and sisters all have Hashimoto’s. I started on 200mcg of selenium per day about 4 years ago. It reduced my anti-thyroid antibodies from 1300 to around 400-600 within 6 months. I had suffered from almost debilitating inflammation and it reduced it to the point I can get around again.
you need to take iodine too. they go together.
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