I understand that deciding to try iodine supplementation to improve thyroid function can be daunting. If you (and your healthcare provider) still think this is the best route for your health, the next decision is equally as important: how and what form of iodine to take.

Iodine is the basic micronutrient in thyroid hormone so iodine supplementation can help treat symptoms of hypothyroidism. Not all iodine are the same.

Iodine has an inorganic and organic form. While these words may bring some horror stories from chemistry class, these words are important because only one form (i.e. organic) is useful in the body.

Ironically, the inorganic form of iodine (i.e. iodide) is widely emphasized as a useful source of iodine for the body. Table salt (aka iodized) salt has been credited to minimize the incidence of iodine deficiency in the developed world. But the body cannot use the form of iodine.

So when it comes to supplementing with iodine, pay attention to the ratio of iodine and iodide in the solution. I do what works: Lugol’s solution, whose work in the 1800s still holds a lot of utility today.

Mr. Lugol found that dissolve large amounts of iodine in water along with some iodide salt resulted in increased delivery and bioavailability of iodine in the body.

I would not rely solely on table salt for iodine. I would also consider the following food items that are naturally rich in iodine: yoghurt, seaweed (e.g. kelp, nori, kombu, wakame), eggs.