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It’s
well accepted iodine supplements are effective for preventing and treating an
iodine deficiency. They are generally considered safe when taken as
recommended.
Iodine
Is Essential For Proper Thyroid Function
Nutrient
deficiencies are a common issue for those with hypothyroidism. Iodine is one
nutrient you don’t want to get low in as the thyroid uses iodine to make your
thyroid hormones. This makes iodine important for ongoing thyroid health.
Iodine
deficiency can lead to iodine induced hypothyroidism, enlargement of the
thyroid, and a reduced ability of the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones.
Are
Iodine Supplements For Thyroid Safe?
It
turns out there is a vast amount of research in this area including how much
iodine is safe to take.
There
is one guiding rule that I would like everyone to know.
It’s
about balanced intake. Not too much, not too little!
Iodine
is normally only required in very small amounts. In fact iodine supplements normally
supply trace, or microgram quantities.
When
you research iodine supplements online, or thyroid health formulas with iodine,
it’s important to know that 1 milligram equals 1,000 micrograms. You may see a
microgram measurement abbreviated as ‘mcg’ or ‘µg’ on a label.
Iodine
Supplements in Australia Are Strictly Regulated
In
Australia all nutritional products are closely regulated by the Therapeutic
Goods Administration (TGA), a division of the Department of Health and Ageing.
Nutritional
supplements must be approved before being released for sale. Approved products
state their individual AUST L or AUST R number on the front of the label.
The
active ingredients contained in a product and the recommendations on the label
are also closely controlled. The
recommended daily intake of iodine from an iodine supplement must not exceed
300 micrograms per day. For example, when a nutritional
supplement contains 130 micrograms of iodine it’s recommended that an adult
does not take more than two capsules per day.
If
an iodine supplement was to contain milligram amounts it would not be approved
for sale here in Australia. Even if one tablet, or capsule was recommended per
day the recommended intake would be set too high.
In
addition to dosing guidelines the TGA provides
strict guidelines on the type of iodine that can be used.
Iodine is an approved ingredient for use in a nutritional supplement when it is
a component of a specific herbal preparation or is in the form of potassium
iodide.
For
example an iodine supplement can contain Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus), a type of
seaweed which is known to naturally contain iodine and is traditionally used to
help maintain healthy thyroid function.
Another
popular form of iodine featured in thyroid health products is potassium iodide.
No other single form of iodine is approved for use in an iodine supplement in
Australia.
It’s
Vital to Know the Safe Upper Level of Intake
You
should avoid taking high doses of iodine for prolonged periods unless you are
doing this in consultation with a trusted healthcare practitioner.
Taking
iodine in mega doses can pose problems. Taking multiple milligram amounts can
saturate your thyroid which can irritate and inflame the gland.
The
documented side effects of taking too much iodine include; a metallic taste,
sore gums, a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, increased saliva,
digestive upset, mood changes and skin problems.
Population
studies have also shown excessive iodine intake may trigger autoimmune thyroid
disorders.
The
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the US
National Institutes of Health have both set the recommended safe upper level of
intake at 1,100 micrograms per day.
Are
USA Iodine Supplements Safe To Buy Online?
When
you do a quick search of iodine supplements online you will soon discover there
is certainly conflicting opinions and information about how much iodine is safe
to take.
For
Australian consumers it’s important to know that iodine products available on
USA websites are not regulated by the TGA. This government organisation only
has jurisdiction within Australia.
It
is possible iodine supplements available on USA websites can contain excessive
amounts of iodine.
The
TGA advises consumers to refrain from ordering nutritional products over the
internet unless they know exactly what is in the product, have checked that the
ingredients are suitable for them, and the products they are purchasing meet
the legal requirements for importation and use in Australia.
Read
the following related articles:
Author Bio:
Louise O’ Connor,
the author of The Natural Thyroid Diet –The 4-Week Plan to Living Well, Living Vibrantly, who
is a specialist in Thyroid Health. She is a highly regarded Australian
Naturopath and founder of Wellnesswork.
The Natural Thyroid
Diet goes beyond diet advice and offers practical and effective ways to achieve
healthy thyroid levels within just a short period of time. For more details,
Click on
The-Natural-Thyroid-Diet.com
