SYS ONLINE
Supplements/Mineral

Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note)

See individual selenium and iodine entries; balance is critical for thyroid health.

Buy

Overview

Iodine is the substrate for T4/T3; selenium activates these via deiodinases. Imbalance worsens Hashimoto's.

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

Mechanism of action

Iodine = thyroid hormone substrate; selenium = activator and GPx cofactor in thyroid.

Pathways
  • · Thyroid hormone synthesis and activation

Effects on the body

Supports
Combined adequacy supports thyroid function

Organ system effects

Endocrine

Both required; deficiency or excess of either is harmful.

Evidence-based benefits

Combined adequacy supports thyroid function

Strong evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) is generally well-tolerated at evidence-based doses
  • · Mild GI discomfort (nausea, loose stools, or bloating) possible at higher intakes
  • · Headache or transient fatigue reported by a small fraction of users
Rare
  • · Allergic or hypersensitivity reaction (rash, itching, swelling)
  • · Sleep disturbance if taken late in the day
Serious
  • · Discontinue and seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, persistent, or include difficulty breathing

Drug interactions

Prescription medications (general)
Always disclose Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) 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
150 mcg iodine + 100–200 mcg selenium
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
Systematic reviewDermatol Ther · 2013

Povidone-iodine antiseptic activity

Lachapelle JM, et al.

Review of PVP-I antimicrobial efficacy.

Key findings

Broad spectrum; reduces SSI when used preoperatively.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) — Combined adequacy supports thyroid function

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) Combined adequacy supports thyroid function" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) and "Combined adequacy supports thyroid function". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) — randomized controlled trial

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) — meta-analysis

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) — pharmacokinetics

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) — safety adverse events

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) — dose response

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

Google Scholar: Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) — clinical evidence

Live Scholar search

Cross-database citation index for Selenium-Iodine Synergy (note) 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.

Community discussion

(0 threads)

Share your experience or read what others have tried. Anecdotes are not medical advice.

Sign in or create a free account to post or reply.
Loading discussion…