Can You Be Allergic To Iodine? (Nope! And Here's Why)

Can you be allergic to iodine or is it possible to have an iodine allergy? Not exactly and here's why...

I realize that this is going to cause some contention, especially among people who believe that they have an iodine allergy but it's something that should be discussed.

Right now, there is a LOT of confusion regarding iodine, whether or not it's safe, how it impacts your thyroid, and whether or not you can be allergic to it.

So let's start with the basics:

Can you be allergic to iodine? No, not in the way that you are thinking. Having said that, there are people who believe that they are allergic to iodine because they've had a bad reaction while taking it. These two things are NOT the same and can be explained.

Why am I so confident that iodine allergy doesn't exist?

For several reasons:

#1. Iodine is not complex enough to trigger antigenicity by the immune system. Iodine is just an element and as such does not have sufficient complexity to trigger an immune response. This response is saved for complex proteins and other things that your immune system can attach to.

#2. Iodine is required for LIFE. Without iodine, you will not survive. How can the human body create an allergy to something that it needs to sustain life? If you truly were allergic to iodine then you wouldn't be able to survive to watch this because iodine is inside your body as we speak. If it weren't then you wouldn't be here.

#3. Iodine is in ALL sorts of foods including foods like bananas, strawberries, deli meat, turkey, all sorts of fish, and so on. If iodine truly caused anaphylaxis then we'd hear about people dying while eating bananas. We just don't see that.

Having said all of this, people can react negatively to iodine which I will explain below. What you have to understand, though, is that these reactions are NOT allergic reactions.

Taking excess iodine can cause some serious issues including hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This is rare but it does happen, especially as you take high doses of iodine.

Most people who take iodine and experience symptoms such as a rash or headaches or other symptoms like that are experiencing a detoxification of halides from their system.

Fluoride, bromide, and chloride all look sufficiently close enough to iodine that they can compete for binding on thyroid hormone. When you take iodine you displace these halides and they are eliminated from the body.

Their elimination can cause acne, headaches, rashes, and so on. But this is NOT an allergy, it's just your body eliminating something that shouldn't be there, to begin with.

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Disclaimer:

This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider. Restart Medical LLC and Dr. Westin Childs are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this website or video.
#thyroid #hypothyroidism #hashimoto's

[sleepsoundly]

Hello Dr. Childs. I have had an allergy to shelled fish since childhood. At some point, a physician told me that I was allergic to iodine. As an adult I, developed Hyperthyroidism, then took radio-iodine treatment and ended up with Hypothyroidism. I'm wondering if I'm truly allergic to iodine. No adverse reactions have been noticed when taking it. Thanks.

[LeonNikkidude]

I am Hyperthyroid so how much and what kind of iodine sources are good for me?

[spontanously_me]

Each time I have come in contact with iodine from a hospital I have had large lumps, small lumps, burning skin inside and out. 3RD degree burns with skin peeling. So why? If it's not iodine? What does iodine contain?

[spontanously_me]

So iodine was used when having my 2nd child. 2 days later, golf ball sized lumps appeared all over my body. My face was unrecognisable. 2nd contact of iodine, having an epidural iodine used last, This time really tiny bumps went all over my body, itchy, hot, stinging. 3rd time - collapsed lung required operation, all staff told not to use iodine, they ignored all info as in notes, wrist bands etc. While coming around from procedure I was becoming emotional, hot on my neck, stinging and burning inside and out all around my chest. A few days later, my skin on my chest and back was peeling like a snake shedding it's skin. My skin was burnt and peeling off.
4th and last time of contact with iodine, they used it in an injection while having a ct scan - within 20 mins my neck and top part of chest was hot, itchy and a red rash appeared.

So what is it if not an allergic reaction. Everytime can't be ignored.

[tedzambrano]

He is amazing. I started using iodine using Redman real salt. I kinda knew It was doing a detox it was over whelming. But this Dr. Westin Childs answered my question. Thank you