Between the latest online fads and the crazy media headlines, it’s easier than ever to get confused about your health. If you want to make better decisions about your health today so you can feel better and live longer, you’ve come to the right place.

Is it possible to avoid iodine entirely? The concerns about iodine, especially for those with thyroid disease, are not limited to what we put in our mouths. Many people try to avoid iodine by eliminating it from their diet, but there are other sources of iodine that may be negatively affecting your thyroid levels. Beauty and skincare products with high iodine levels, especially those containing seaweed, sea salts, and kelp, may also contribute to dangerously high TSH levels. It can be hard to know what to avoid when limiting your iodine intake, and my goal here is to separate the facts from the myths.

Today I’m joined by my brilliant integrative health colleagues for a panel discussion about iodine. We start with a case study and then dive into the concerns of iodine from any source, including skincare products, cosmetics, neti pots, and medications. If you and your doctor have been unsuccessful in normalizing your TSH levels and you’re not sure what to try next, this panel discussion is one that you won’t want to miss.

 

Key Takeaways:

[1:07] Today’s topic is iodine, the various sources it comes from, and how it affects your thyroid.

[2:34] Dr. Raquel Espinol shares the case of a patient who was bathing in dead sea salts and had dangerously high TSH levels.

[3:38] Skin products that use iodine dense compounds, including polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), can increase the absorption rates of iodine up to 4.5%.

[5:47] The FDA has banned topical skin antiseptics from containing iodine because it is considered a safety hazard.

[7:09] Is there an iodine hazard in your mascara? What about night cream or hair conditioners? Dr. C breaks down the numbers to explain the true danger of various levels of exposure.

[9:24] Dr. Linda Khoshaba shares a case study of a patient whose thyroid has become less stable as she has increased her use of an anti-aging skin cream containing seaweed.

[13:12] Dr. C shares a list of ingredients to be wary of, including ammonium iodide, potassium iodide, sodium iodide, and iodoform.

[13:52] Dr. Guillermo Ruiz explains the dangers of using a neti pot with nebulized iodine to cure sinus infections.

[14:50] What is the difference between iodide and iodine? Dr. C explains and cautions against overuse of either to protect against thyroid toxicity.

[15:32] Dr. Roz Ranon warns of the dangerous iodine levels that can be found in anti-aging products that include seaweed, algae or kelp.

[17:09] Dr. Khashaba highlights the potential iodine levels in medications used to balance blood pressure or hyperthyroidism.

[18:22] A comparison of serum versus urinary iodine levels shows that there is not a linear relationship between the two, and one of these two is much more difficult for your body to eliminate.

[20:10] Dr. C wraps up the discussion on iodine and suggests a safe and effective kitchen product you might want to move into your bathroom today.

[21:00] Do you have a topic you’d like me to cover? Contact me on Facebook or Instagram using #medicalmyths.

 

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