Question: There are so many forms of iodine. Which one is best?

Dr. Brownstein's Answer:

It can be daunting when you walk into a health food store and see all the different brands of supplements. Different tissues in the body respond to different forms of iodine. For example, the breasts seem to prefer iodine while the thyroid prefers iodide.

After using iodine supplementation for over 10 years, I can assure you that the best forms of iodine to use to benefit the whole body are ones that contain both iodine and iodide.

I can also state that kelp supplements do not have the same efficacy as iodine/iodide products. Lugol’s solution, Iodoral, and Iodozyme HP are supplements that contain both iodine and iodide. I have used all three of these products successfully.

For patients who are sensitive to higher doses of iodine/iodide, Atomidine may be a good choice. There are other good products that contain lower dosed iodine.

It is best to work with a healthcare provider knowledgeable about iodine. He or she can test your levels and recommend proper dosing.