Is Iodine Safe for Women with Underactive Thyroid or Hashimoto’s?

Is iodine your thyroid’s best friend, or your worst enemy?

If you’ve ever felt confused about whether to take iodine for your thyroid, this is for you. In this episode of The Energised Thyroid Podcast, Toki Birch breaks down what the research actually says, and why more iodine isn’t always better for women with underactive thyroid or Hashimoto’s.

You’ll learn how iodine affects your thyroid hormones, your gut health, and your immune system, and why some women feel worse when they add iodine supplements (even when it’s well-intentioned). This episode will help you make informed, confident decisions about where iodine fits into your thyroid health.

 

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How much iodine is actually safe

• The biggest hidden sources of iodine in your diet and supplements

• Why excess iodine can worsen inflammation and thyroid flares

• How high iodine intake disrupts gut microbiome balance

• When iodine supplementation may be helpful, and when it may be harmful

• The role of selenium in reducing the impact of excess iodine

• Why testing iodine levels is key to personalised thyroid care

• What to focus on instead if you’re still tired, gaining weight, or feeling low

Resources mentioned: Grab your free guide: Wake Up Energised →https://tokibirch.com/wake-up-energised-a-simple-thyroid-guide-to-beat-exhaustion

Takeaways:

• Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production (T1, T2, T3, T4)

• True iodine deficiency is rare in developed countries

• Excess iodine can trigger more inflammation and worsen Hashimoto’s

• Supporting gut health is crucial for immune and thyroid balance

• Selenium and iron status directly impact thyroid resilience

• More iodine won’t fix thyroid symptoms if deficiency isn’t present

• Personalised approaches to iodine supplementation are essential

Let’s stay connected: Instagram: instagram.com/tokibirch Website: tokibirch.com Subscribe and follow to catch future episodes!

Keywords: iodine thyroid Hashimoto’s, underactive thyroid, iodine and hypothyroidism, thyroid health, gut-thyroid connection, iodine supplements Hashimoto’s, functional medicine thyroid, thyroid flare triggers, iodine deficiency, selenium, iron, thyroid hormones, Toki Birch, The Energised Thyroid Podcast