Iodine

Iodine — dosage, safety & deals FAQ

How much Iodine do you need per day?

The RDA is 150 mcg/day for males and females 19+ years, 220 mcg during pregnancy, and 290 mcg during lactation. Teens 14-18 also need 150 mcg. Children: 90 mcg (1-8 years), 120 mcg (9-13). Infants have an Adequate Intake of 110 mcg (birth-6 months) and 130 mcg (7-12 months). — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

Can you take too much Iodine?

Yes. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level for adults 19+ (including pregnancy and lactation) is 1,100 mcg/day. High intakes can cause goiter, elevated TSH, hypothyroidism, iodine-induced hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, and thyroid papillary cancer. Acute iodine poisoning is rare, usually from doses of many grams, causing burning of the mouth, throat, and stomach, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weak pulse, and coma. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

What are the signs of Iodine deficiency?

Goiter (thyroid enlargement) is usually the earliest clinical sign. Deficiency causes hypothyroidism and is the most common cause of preventable intellectual disability worldwide. In pregnancy it can cause neurodevelopmental deficits, growth retardation, miscarriage, and stillbirth; severe in-utero deficiency causes cretinism. In children, deficiency can lower IQ; in adults, goiter and impaired mental function and work productivity. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

Who is most likely to need more Iodine?

Groups at risk of inadequacy include people who do not use iodized salt; pregnant women (RDA rises to 220 mcg); vegans and people who eat few or no dairy products, seafood, and eggs; people living in regions with iodine-deficient soils (e.g., Himalayas, Alps, Andes); and people with marginal iodine status who eat foods containing goitrogens such as soy, cassava, and cruciferous vegetables. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.