I bumped into a post somewhere on the internet about using Iodine as a possible help in fighting hair loss. While I found a few other similar posts, a couple mentioned something called Atomic Iodine and some others mention Iodine Tincture, I wasn't sure to what extent are these claims true and if the use of Iodine in any form helps at all. Has anyone tried any of these Iodine forms? What have been the benefits? Can you share some experiences?

Thanks!

One of the big reasons both men and women lose their hair is thyroid hormone imbalance. Thyroid hormones are made of a combination of iodine, selenium, and the amino acid tyrosine. Not too many people are deficient in selenium or tyrosine, but many health professionals argue that a lot of people are deficient in iodine. So if it is the case that you have low or low-normal thyroid hormones, or if you are experiencing other thyroid imbalance symptoms like dry skin, cold hands and feet, fatigue, weight gain, and/or depression, than it probably would help your hair growth to take some iodine.

Iodine tinctures are usually used externally as an antiseptic - not to provide iodine to protect against deficiency. I haven't heard of the Atomic Iodine brand. The kind I recommend is Iosol iodine, which is meant to be taken internally in drop form. You can safely take a drop per day in water or juice. You can move up to 2 or 3 drops if you still feel various thyroid symptoms. If three drops per day doesn't help, I would recommend contacting a doctor affiliated with ACAM (acam.org) to see what they recommend.

In my own case (I'm a 29 year old male), I take 3 drops of Iosol per day and yes, it has helped significantly with my hair growth. For several weeks I stopped taking it and my hair started falling out again, and it quickly stopped falling out as much when I resumed the iodine.

Hope this helps.

David

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David Rodgers, MS Nutrition
Nutritionist, Hair Loss Author

Thanks David for the response

I am surprised no one else has commented on this, doesn't look like something which is widely used..

I read a bit on Iosol Iodine and found some technical information on its properties, composition and how it helps with energy levels and metabolism. Now, I have a few more questions,

1. You mention your experience of losing hair when you had stopped taking the solution. That makes me wonder if using Iodine is a life long commitment similar to those with Minox/Rogaine
2. Are there any known side-effects of using Iosol Iodine or any Iodine solution?
3. What if someone with no Iodine deficiency used this product? Would too much of Iodine result in unwanted effects?

Thanks for your comments...

Most people get enough Iodine from iodized salt, seafood, etc., but it's very possible an underactive thyroid will cause hair loss.

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Finasteride 1.25 mg. daily
Avodart 0.5 mg. daily
Spironolactone 50 mg twice daily
5 mg. oral Minoxidil twice daily
Biotin 5000 mcg.
MSM 1500 mg. twice daily
Zinc 50 mg. daily

Damn, with all the stuff you put in your hair are you like a negative NW1?

1. Yes it would be a lifelong commitment because you do continually need to be sufficient in iodine - however in contrast to drugs, it is very inexpensive - 3 drops a day would cost around $12.00 for 200 days - 1 drop a day would last 600 days. Plus, correcting a deficiency is actually correcting an imbalance, whereas drugs allow imbalances to continue your whole life and artificially change body processes to "mask" your deficiencies.

2. Side effects are very rare, especially in the doses I was saying. Theoretically someone could become hyperthyroid (too much thyroid hormones) and become restless and stressed. I haven't ever heard of this happening and if it did, it would go away quickly by lowering the dose.

3. See my answer #2. You can have iodine sufficiency checked by a doctor (acam.org) if you want to be completely sure. However, I believe Iosol is safe enough that you can try using it and see how it works. Start with a drop and slowly move up to 3. If there are any negative effects, stop it for a bit and then start back at the lowest dose, and eventually stay at the dose that works without negative effects. However, like I said, I have never heard of anyone having negative effects at a dose of 1 to 3 drops.

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David Rodgers, MS Nutrition
Nutritionist, Hair Loss Author

I commented awhile back on the use of Iodine for hair loss. Its not that expensive and has many health benefits. Its particularly good at preventing cancers and a host of other problems as well. Regardless of hair loss people should be supplementing with Iodine if you live in the states. It can as said help with hair loss. Bottom line is Iodine is extremely important to the body. Iodine and Omega 3 are the main reasons why Japan is the healthiest country in the world.

I'm gonna have to disagree with west. The Iodine we take in the states from foods isn't sufficient or a good source. Most of the Populations on a diet like in the States are deficient in Iodine. Which is why its a good a idea to supplement.


The only real negative effects is Iodine can stir up mercury and bromide in your body and probably cause you to be sick or run a fever. That can usually be avoided by a salt loading protocol.