Question: Will taking an iodine supplement help with hypothyroidism?
Dr. Hibberd’s answer:
Iodine supplementation will not help hypothyroidism. Our bodies are voracious hoarders of iodine, and we usually have more than enough for healthy thyroid function.
Iodine deficiency can cause a goiter, seen more commonly in third world countries where many people have poor nutrition. But it is much less common in the more affluent countries of the world. This is because iodine is now added to iodized salt and most food products containing salt.
There is usually no need to supplement iodine beyond what most people get in iodized salt.
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