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Supplements/Mineral

Potassium Iodide

Standard inorganic iodine — thyroid hormone precursor and radioprotectant.

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Overview

Standard inorganic iodine — thyroid hormone precursor and radioprotectant.

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

Iodide is concentrated by thyroid NIS pump and incorporated into thyroglobulin.

Pathways
  • · Thyroid hormone synthesis

Effects on the body

Decreases
iodine deficiency goiter

Organ system effects

Evidence-based benefits

Prevents iodine deficiency goiter

Strong evidence

Potential side effects

Common
    Rare
    • · Hashimoto flare at supraphysiologic dose
    Serious
    • · Iodine-induced hyperthyroidism

    Drug interactions

    Prescription medications (general)
    Always disclose Potassium Iodide 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 (RDA)
    Upper safe limit
    1100 mcg/d
    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?
    Optional

    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 reviewBest Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2013

    Potassium iodide for thyroid protection in radiation exposure

    Reiners C, Schneider R

    Review of KI prophylaxis post-Chernobyl/Fukushima.

    Key findings

    Effective in preventing radioactive-iodine thyroid uptake when timed correctly.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium Iodide — Prevents iodine deficiency goiter

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium Iodide Prevents iodine deficiency goiter" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Potassium Iodide and "Prevents iodine deficiency goiter". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium Iodide — randomized controlled trial

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium Iodide randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

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

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium Iodide — meta-analysis

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium Iodide meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Potassium Iodide and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium Iodide — pharmacokinetics

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium Iodide pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Potassium Iodide and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium Iodide — safety adverse events

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium Iodide safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

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

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium Iodide — dose response

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium Iodide dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

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

    Open study
    Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

    Google Scholar: Potassium Iodide — clinical evidence

    Live Scholar search

    Cross-database citation index for Potassium Iodide 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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