How Seaweed and Kelp Affect Your Thyroid

In cases of reversible hypothyroidism, restricting dietary intake of seaweed resulted in normalization of thyroid function. Q. When my internist noted a low-normal thyroid value, he suggested a thyroid supplement. Two 100 mg tablets a day brought the thyroid value up to normal and warmed my cold toes. Sea kelp is the name given to the collection of brown seaweed species Laminariales​6​. Owing to their iodine content, kelp formulations synthroid goitrogens are promoted as a way to manage thyroid deficiency and promote weight loss​7​. Herbal supplements are often considered safe by the public as they are thought to be ‘natural’, but they can interact with other medicines​8​.

Treatment of Hypothyroidism due to Iodine Deficiency Using Daily Powdered Kelp in Patients

In most countries, this requirement is met through iodization of table salt, universal salt iodization. This is particularly important in at risk groups such as pregnant women, their neonates, females of childbearing age, or those such as vegans whose dietary preferences do not include iodine-containing foods. Although iodine supplied via seaweed consumption can rectify an iodine deficiency state, the species consumed needs to be monitored to avoid too much brown seaweeds (kelps) producing disorders of thyroid function. In addition, increased iodine deposition in rainfall and intake from seaweed-derived atmospheric gaseous iodine may help offset global iodine deficits.

Patient concerns:

For these reasons, taking kelp supplements specifically for their iodine content is considered unnecessary. “Avoid iodine as a supplement whether you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism,” cautions the Cleveland Clinic. “The effect of iodine supplements can vary by person, causing the thyroid to produce either too much or too little hormone.” Paloma’s home test kit makes it easy to monitor your thyroid levels from the convenience of home. Paloma’s thyroid practitioners, including doctors and nutritionists, can help you manage your thyroid condition for optimal health and wellness. Consider becoming a Paloma member to take advantage of the full range of benefits of a hypothyroidism-focused medical practice.‍Vedrana Högqvist Tabor, Ph.D., contributed to this article.

Kelp Supplement Could Make Thyroid Problem Worse:

The patient has been making a concerted effort to lose weight but is, in fact, gaining weight. The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets ” to see what reference was utilized. We’re empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.

Excessive salt intake

If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. UIC was a good indicator of their iodine status.Powdered kelp was effective for recovery and safe treatment for HID. Before the investigation, informed consent for thyroid function test and UIC measurement was obtained from allfamily members of the seven patients, according to Helsinki declaration.

• However, you should use caution when taking kelp supplements, because the iodine they contain can cause adverse health and safety effects, including iodine overdose.
• These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects.
• Getting too much iodine can make thyroid problems worse, and high doses around 2,000 mcg can be toxic.
• If iodine intake surpasses their tolerance, it may trigger or exacerbate hypothyroid symptoms.
• Sources of dietary iodine, its assessment, recommended dietary intake, and consequences of iodine excess are outlined.
• Avoidance of iodine-containing products such as kelp when taking thyroid therapy is recommended.

Dried seaweed or seaweed extracts are often found in foodstuffs, and recommendations for safe levels of iodine vary from 20 mg/kg in Germany to 500 mg/kg in the USA and a maximum tolerable level of 100 mg/kg dried weight in Australia 35. In the case of pregnant women and children, the recommendation is to limit brown seaweed to 1 serving per week. However, iodine content can be extremely variable depending on seaweed species, bioavailability, and losses in cooking 31, 32, 36. Consuming seaweed alone or as a dietary supplement is unlikely to be harmful if taken occasionally (once or twice a week).

This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It’s important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health. This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences.

The average Laminaria-based supplement contains up to 1,000 micrograms of iodine​10​. Ingestion of iodine at daily levels exceeding 150 micrograms has the potential to cause thyroid disorders​7​. Even a minor iodine deficiency can result in adverse thyroidal health consequences while excess iodine intake can also result in thyroid function disorders.

Failure to achieve a satisfactory weight loss may induce the hypothyroid participants to persist or even increase the consumption of the iodine-rich diet with the following worsening of the negative metabolic effects. Thyroid disorders arising from excess iodine intake including seaweed consumption can take the form of goitre, thyroid autoimmunity, hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism 8, 9, 40, 41, 42. Patients with autonomously functioning nodules perhaps arising from a previous iodine deficiency state can develop a form of hyperthyroidism termed Jod-Basedow arising from excess iodine intake 8. Some authors have suggested that excessive seaweed consumption may itself result in chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis 43.

• Other reports describe hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis secondary to iodine ingestion, in which defective autoregulation of hormone biosynthesis may have contributed .
• ICCIDD recommended that iodizedsalt should contain 20–40 mg/kg (20–40 µg/g) of iodine in order to provide 150 µg/day of iodine, the recommendeddaily intake for an adult.
• The kelp-containing tablets were discontinued, and we were initiated antithyroid therapy with Methimazole 15 mg/day for 1 month.
• The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition.

Ingestion of kelp may alter thyroid treatment in patients with thyroid disorders. UIC is good marker of very recent dietary iodineintake because more than 90% of ingested iodine is excreted in the urine (10, 13). WHO have defined the epidemiological criterion foriodine deficiency as a UIC of less than 100 µg/l (Table4).