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Supplements/Mineral

Lugol's Iodine

Combined iodine/iodide solution used historically for thyroid support.

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Overview

Combined iodine/iodide solution used historically for thyroid support.

Natural sources
  • Whole foods (leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds, seafood, animal proteins)
  • Fortified foods such as cereals, breads, plant milks, and table salt
  • Mineral supplements as chelates, citrates, glycinates, or inorganic salts
Common forms
  • Chelated form (glycinate, bisglycinate, citrate, malate)
  • Inorganic salt (oxide, sulfate, chloride)
  • Liquid ionic solution
  • Topical or transdermal preparation

Forms & variants of Iodine

Different chemical forms of Iodine behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

Mechanism of action

Provides both molecular iodine and iodide; absorbed in stomach and small intestine.

Pathways
  • · Provides both molecular iodine
  • · absorbed in stomach
  • · small intestine

Effects on the body

Supports
Acutely blocks thyroid hormone release in Graves' storm

Organ system effects

Evidence-based benefits

Acutely blocks thyroid hormone release in Graves' storm

Strong evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · Metallic taste
Rare
  • · Iodism
Serious
  • · Avoid in autoimmune thyroid disease without supervision

Drug interactions

Prescription medications (general)
Always disclose Lugol's Iodine use to your prescriber — additive, antagonistic, or pharmacokinetic interactions are possible.
minor

Supplement interactions

Pairs well with
  • A high-quality multivitamin
    Covers micronutrient cofactors that support most supplement pathways.
  • Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
    Foundational anti-inflammatory support that complements most regimens.
Avoid combining with

No specific avoidances listed.

Dosing & bioavailability

Typical dose
1–2 drops 5% (≈6 mg I)
Best form
Most evidence is based on the chelated form (glycinate, bisglycinate, citrate, malate) form.
Timing
Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
With food?
Either with or without food.

Where to buy

Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

Scientific evidence8Show studies
CohortJAMA · 1923

Iodide for Graves' before surgery

Plummer HS.

Use of iodide preparation before thyroidectomy.

Key findings

Reduced thyroid vascularity and operative complications.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Lugol's Iodine — Acutely blocks thyroid hormone release in Graves' storm

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Lugol's Iodine Acutely blocks thyroid hormone release in Graves' storm" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Lugol's Iodine and "Acutely blocks thyroid hormone release in Graves' storm". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Lugol's Iodine — randomized controlled trial

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Lugol's Iodine randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Lugol's Iodine and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Lugol's Iodine — meta-analysis

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Lugol's Iodine meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Lugol's Iodine and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Lugol's Iodine — pharmacokinetics

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Lugol's Iodine pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Lugol's Iodine and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Lugol's Iodine — safety adverse events

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Lugol's Iodine safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Lugol's Iodine and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Lugol's Iodine — dose response

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Lugol's Iodine dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Lugol's Iodine and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

Google Scholar: Lugol's Iodine — clinical evidence

Live Scholar search

Cross-database citation index for Lugol's Iodine as it relates to "clinical evidence".

Key findings

Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

Open study
Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

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