Often referred to as a “Goldilocks” mineral, iodine must be kept in balance—too little can lead to fatigue, thyroid dysfunction, and hormonal imbalance, while too much can exacerbate autoimmunity and disrupt delicate nutrient interplay. In this episode, we take a comprehensive look at iodine’s role in thyroid health, fertility, immune function, breast tissue, and detoxification. We unpack symptoms of both deficiency and excess, explore the connection between iodine and environmental exposures like fluoride, chlorine, and brominated flour, and discuss important considerations for those with Hashimoto’s or other autoimmune conditions.

You'll also learn how to assess iodine status through testing, the validity of iodine painting, and the risks and benefits of different supplementation approaches. We highlight topical uses—from wound care and nasal rinses to support for fibrocystic breasts—as well as dietary sources like sea vegetables and seafood. The conversation includes a breakdown of iodized salt, the iodine-selenium relationship, and how to use iodine safely and effectively in your wellness routine.

Also in this episode:

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What is iodine, and why do we need it?
What are the signs and symptoms of too little—or too much—iodine?
How can we test iodine levels accurately in a functional medicine approach?
- Micronutrient Panel
What is iodine painting, and does it work?
Iodine in wound care and for oral use
Iodine for fibrocystic breasts
Fertility and hormone balance
If we’re using sea salt or Himalayan salt that isn’t iodized, should we be concerned about deficiency?
Concerns with iodine displacement from fluoride, chlorine and bromine
- Naturally Nourished Episode 370 Biological Dentistry with Dr. Joan Sefcik
- Is Chlorine Messing Up Your Gut? - YouTube
Thyroid health and Hashimoto's considerations
- The selenium-iodine relationship
Iodine nasal sprays or mists
Supplementation considerations
Top Iodine Rich Foods
- Seaweed
- Cod and white fish
- Eggs
- Shrimp, shellfish
- Three Seaweed Salad
- Roasted Almonds with Nori and Sesame
- Nori Salmon Roll Ups

Sponsors for this episode:

This episode is sponsored by Wild Foods, a company that puts quality, sustainability, and health first in all of their products. They have everything from coffee to turmeric to medicinal mushrooms, and every single product is painstakingly sourced from small farms around the globe. They take their mission seriously to fix the broken food system, and believe real food is medicine. They've partnered with us to give you guys an exclusive discount, so use the code ALIMILLERRD for 12% off your order at WildFoods.co!