Please consult this article periodically for latest updates and additions.
The number one question we get is:
"I think I need Iodine; where do I start?"
We propose two answers:
- A simple way
- Detailed step-by-step
Hi, my name is Joseph; we've been serving consumers and resellers since 2015.
We also distribute chemicals for a living since 2010.
Legal
I'm not a Doctor or certified specialist.
I believe in facts, liberty, science, and making health-related decisions with middle-of-the-road professionals.
Does Lugol's Iodine ship to the USA?
Lugol's Iodine 2% is permitted.
At the current time, higher concentrations of Iodine do not ship to the United States.
The DEA regulates iodine supplements that are 2.2% and above.
Core beliefs
Most health agencies, studies and specialists would probably agree:
Roughly 30% of the world's population is at risk for iodine deficiency.
Iodine Deficiency may lead to various medical conditions and diseases.
Eating clean, plenty of water, daily exercise, good sleep, and managing stress are important.
As a Facebook follower reminds us, adding Iodine to a "normal" Thyroid can lead to disorders.
Links
American Thyroid Association (ATA):
Iodine
The chemical Iodine (pure) is mined from the Earth.
Products and supplements containing Iodine are subject to Federal regulations in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and a few other countries.
Availability and pricing of Iodine is affected by talk of war, actual wars, and Nuclear accidents.
The result of the compound effect:
- Difficult to get credible answers
- We read conflicting information online
- We see different information on labels with no standard
- Books and Doctors suggesting Iodine in high doses is the right way
Iodine Deficiency
"Iodine Deficiency is a major public health problem worldwide..."
Roughly affecting 1/3 of the world's population.
Thyroid function
"The function of the thyroid gland is to take iodine, found in many foods, and convert it into thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid cells are the only cells in the body which can absorb iodine".
Hypothyroidism
"Hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid disease, is a common disorder. With hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone".
Hypothyroidism (underactive Thyroid)
Medications
Synthetic Thyroid hormone:
"It replaces or provides more thyroid hormone, which is normally produced by the thyroid gland."
Synthetic Thyroid Hormone details
Treatment
Hypothyroidism Treatment details
Most-Prescribed
How popular are these treatment options?
Treatment length
"Generally taken life-long when used to treat hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels) unless the cause is transient".
Iodine Supplementation
➪ The Simple Way
The endocrine system, thyroid gland and Iodine are complex. There is no one way to guarantee results. Please remember, I'm not a Doctor or certified specialist.
STEP 1️⃣
RDA's and Iodine
❓ How to find the Iodine RDA
Google search: "country+RDA+iodine"
The Iodine RDA is influenced by age, gender and other variables.
RDAs change from country to country.
❓ Finding an Iodine supplement.
A few things to look at: (more on this in a different article)
・Ask for the purity, grade and origin of chemicals.
・Can you see how much Iodine per drop?
・Does the company promote reading labels before buying?
・How is the customer service, and is the staff knowledgeable?
・Are the company policies on the website available?
STEP 2️⃣
Iodine for 90 days
The daily Iodine dose should equal your Iodine RDA in step #1.
I can't suggest Iodine quantities to ingest or how and when to take your Iodine dose.
But...
Credible sources seem to indicate that on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning is when our body is the most receptive.
I add a little (1/2 oz.) water 💧 (no coffee, tea or juice) for my routine.
Other times, I add the Iodine to my morning shake.
🤓 Advice
Start taking daily notes.
About taking notes
A booklet in the proximity of your Iodine bottle would serve as a reminder.
Enter in the booklet a short sentence a day about how you feel.
Why daily notes?
The future is unpredictable.
Knowing how you felt on "mg of Iodine" on a specific date could be helpful for you or a Doctor.
We also noticed that being organized with our routine increases the chance of success.
Why can't we provide exact quantities of Iodine to ingest?
Providing an amount of Iodine to consume on a case-by-case basis could be construed legally as practicing medicine without a licence.
STEP 3️⃣
After 90 days
Without bloodwork and healthcare professionals.
We have to rely on our feelings.
➪ You feel great
➪ You feel better
➪ You feel no change
➪ You feel great
🎯 You have achieved your goal.
Please don't change a thing; play it safe.
Stick with your country's Iodine RDA.
Your Iodine RDA is considered safe for a generally healthy body.
🤓 Advice
If you have taken notes in the booklet.
Review the notes to confirm your feelings.
➪ You feel better
It's great to feel better.
It could mean Iodine is helping.
Why "could mean" ?
Without bloodwork, we have to go on personal feelings only.
The margin for error is increased.
Taking more Iodine would be essentially guessing.
Remaining at the Iodine RDA would be a sensible conclusion.
🤓 Advice
Avoid changing quantities of Iodine for no particular reason.
This increases the chance of creating an irregular routine.
Feeling better by taking your Iodine RDA could be a positive sign.
Could indicate that you are moving in the right direction.
Why "could indicate" ?
RDAs, in general, are considered safe for a generally healthy body.
Without bloodwork and a professional, it makes things a little more complicated.
➪ You feel no change
Is Iodine supplementation for you?
Without bloodwork or a professional, it's harder to say.
🤓 Advice
Did you make your best effort?
You could review the links and sources above.
Share with a healthcare professional the reason(s) you originally started an Iodine routine.
Iodine Supplementation
➪ The Detailed Way
The endocrine system, thyroid gland and Iodine are complex. There is no one way to guarantee results. Please remember, I'm not a Doctor or certified specialist.
STEP 1️⃣
🩸 Plan for bloodwork
Yes bloodwork!
In the "Simple Way" above, we take decisions on how we feel.
Bloodwork and a professional allows to approach iodine deficiency with confidence.
The benefits could last a lifetime.
When selecting bloodwork options, suggest a detailed thyroid profile.
Bloodwork options is costly and possibly out of your control in some countries.
Make this easy for your healthcare provider while being congruent with the objectives.
Always make a plan with a professional.
❓ Finding and talking to healthcare professionals.
Healthcare professionals rarely see patients take charge of their health.
They're busy and often working long hours.
We suggest being organized and concise.
They will find it different, refreshing, and a well-measured approach.
🤓 Advice
Like any profession, healthcare professionals have core beliefs.
Finding the right healthcare professional is like talking politics over thanksgiving.
Say the wrong thing, and it may lead to a difficult conversation and leaving a family gathering. 😡
What kind of professionals have I seen the best success record with?
✅ A middle-of-the-road professional seems to be the right approach.
🛑 Anti-establishment or anti-science healthcare professionals inclined to the far left.
🛑 Healthcare professionals firmly institutionally inclined to the far right.
STEP 2️⃣
RDA's and Iodine
❓ How to find the Iodine RDAGoogle search: "country+RDA+iodine"
The Iodine RDA is influenced by age, gender and other variables.
RDAs change from country to country.
❓ Finding an Iodine supplement.
A few things you can look at: (more on this in a different article)
・Ask for the purity, grade and origin of chemicals.
・Easy access to the labels publicly.
・Can you see how much Iodine per drop?
・Does the company promote reading labels before buying?
・How is the customer service, and is the staff knowledgeable?
・Are the company policies on the website available?
STEP 3️⃣
Iodine for 90 days
Your daily dose should equal your Iodine RDA in step #2.
We can't post Iodine quantities to ingest or how and when to take your Iodine dose.
But...
As mentioned earlier, credible sources seem to indicate that on an empty stomach, 1st thing in the morning is when our body is the most receptive.
I add a little (1/2 oz.) water 💧 (no coffee, tea or juice) for my routine.
Other times, I add the Iodine to my morning shake.
🤓 Advice
Start taking daily notes.
About taking notes:
A booklet in the proximity of your Iodine bottle would serve as a reminder.
Enter in the booklet a short sentence a day about how you feel.
Why daily notes?
It's no secret that the future is unpredictable.
Knowing how you felt on "mg of Iodine" on a specific date could be helpful for you or a Doctor.
We also noticed that being organized with our routine increases the chance of success.
Why can't we provide exact quantities of Iodine to ingest?
Providing an amount of Iodine to consume on a case-by-case basis could be construed legally as practicing medicine without a licence.
STEP 4️⃣
After 90 days
You have bloodwork results.
You're in the best position to succeed.
Using the book and bloodwork results, try avoiding emotional decisions.
➪ Thyroid Numbers are now in the "normal range."
➪ Thyroid Numbers are moving in the right direction.
➪ If you don't see the desired results.
➪ Thyroid Numbers in range.
Consider yourself lucky.
🎯 You have achieved your goal.
In most cases, the new goal is to keep those numbers in range.
If at step 1️⃣, the mutual decision was to stop medications and supplements, you have to take these decisions a 2nd time.
The established trust between you and your Doctor will make this a simple decision.
The consensus between you and your Doctor will probably be to continue your Iodine routine.
🤓 Advice
Remember that eating clean, plenty of water, daily exercise, good sleep and managing stress sets the table for success.
Continue your new daily habit of writing one sentence in your diary.
➪ Thyroid Numbers are moving in the right direction.
Consider it a sign that possibly Iodine is what you need.
More work is required.
Your Doctor will probably say that having an improvement (thyroid numbers) is a positive sign.
They might also say there is no guarantee that Thyroid Numbers will be in the desired normal range if you continue taking Iodine.
The consensus between you and your Doctor will probably be to continue your Iodine routine.
Your provider might suggest increasing the dosage.
Have a conversation and come to a meeting of the minds.
If they don't suggest increasing the Iodine dosage, you could bring it up.
Ask their opinion if your thyroid numbers are moving in the right direction.
Results should normally dictate the best course of action.
🤓 Advice
Using the information in the book and blood work results helps avoid emotional decisions.
Why print a label?
A printed version of the Iodine product label will make it easier to calculate and have a fluid conversation.
We shouldn't expect healthcare professionals to know the ins and outs of Iodine products.
Most of us are unaware that: (professionals included)
- Lugol's Iodine is a recipe dating from the 1,800s.
- Hundreds, maybe a few thousand companies sell Lugol's Iodine.
- Every company sells their own version/formula based on its understanding of the original formula.
➪ If you don't see the desired results.
If the conclusion of your healthcare professional is that Iodine supplementation is not for you.
Iodine might not be for you.
🤓 Advice
Did you make your best effort?
You could review the links and sources above.
Continue investigating with your Doctor the reasons you initially started an Iodine routine.
Do you have a question or a topic to suggest?
We'd love to hear from you.
Thank you!
