Rankings / Essentials — Vitamins & Minerals
Iodine
Essentials · Mineral
Tier A-
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Iodine as A- (7.6/10) based on strong evidence, high benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.
Both deficiency and excess cause thyroid dysfunction — narrow therapeutic window.
Typical use: 150 mcg/day adults; 250 mcg during pregnancy/lactation; via iodized salt, seaweed, dairy, or supplement — OTC.
What this is
Both deficiency and excess cause thyroid dysfunction — narrow therapeutic window. Severe deficiency in pregnancy causes cretinism. Mild-moderate deficiency still common outside iodized-salt regions. Pharmacologic dosing: potassium iodide (KI) and potassium iodate (KIO3) tablets (65-130 mg) are stockpiled for thyroid blockade after radioactive iodine exposure (Chernobyl/Fukushima protocol); not a daily supplement.
Mechanism
Substrate for thyroid hormones T3/T4 — required for metabolism, neurodevelopment, and thyroid function
Dose & route
150 mcg/day adults; 250 mcg during pregnancy/lactation; via iodized salt, seaweed, dairy, or supplement
Citations
- https://www.who.int/data/nutrition/nlis/info/iodine-deficiency
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11999837/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38892672/
- https://www.fda.gov/drugs/bioterrorism-and-drug-preparedness/frequently-asked-questions-potassium-iodide-ki
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Common questions
- Does Iodine work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Iodine as Strong and the benefit magnitude as high, producing an overall grade of A- (7.6/10). Both deficiency and excess cause thyroid dysfunction — narrow therapeutic window.
- Is Iodine safe?
- Iodine has a low-med risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Iodine?
- 150 mcg/day adults; 250 mcg during pregnancy/lactation; via iodized salt, seaweed, dairy, or supplement
- How does Iodine work?
- Substrate for thyroid hormones T3/T4 — required for metabolism, neurodevelopment, and thyroid function
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.