Are Vegans at Risk for Iodine Deficiency?

Most plant-based milks are not fortified with iodine. Are vegans more likely to develop an iodine deficiency?

This is the first in a four-video series on thyroid function. The next three are:

For more on iodine, see:

Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

[jasontaylor]

Thank you so much Dr. Gregor, you have helped to improve my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[OswaldDigestiveClinic]

We really appreciate that you share the names of studies so that people can go and look up the studies themselves! Keep up the great work!

[ima]

Wow, i think the Koreans are up to something when they got the tradition of eating seaweed soup for nursing women everyday for a month and once a week for pregnant women.

[ginac]

When my doctor (MD) advised me to go vegan in 1997, she, nor any other doc I have seen since, ever recommended iodine. Even as my TSH went from 1 to 2 to 4 to 8... nothing. 4 years ago my naturopathic doctor put me on a regimen of Selenium, zinc, iodine and Vit C which did bring the TSH down to 2, but it did not last over time. Starting taking Cytomel. Now my FNP wants to see if I can get off of it, so weaned the meds over a month and will get labs done 6 weeks later. I asked her if I should be taking iodine now and she said no. I take it anyway! I never had one symptom of hypothroidism, I suspect Thyroid labs were affected by insufficient iodine in my diet. The taste of seaweed gags me, but I will try again! Sorry for

[davidsgardell]

I developed a goiter back in the early 90's, long before going vegan. No symptoms, just saw it in the mirror one morning. My older sister and her son also have hypothyroidism.

[VeganismUnspun]

Who else felt the need to eat seaweed whilst watching? Only me? Okay then.

[fede_ponz]

As a vegan, I've always eaten seaweed and watched your videos about it but my TSH has always been a little bit higher than normal. I have no clue how it was before

[euowxnf]

Thanks for this video! Unrelated question: can the NutritionFacts team tackle the science on diet and tinnitus? I'm trying to do the research myself, but some papers seem to contradict each other or even themselves. I'd be very grateful if people with a science and medical background could synthesize the research available. Thanks again :)

[VictorDuvi]

Please more about Iodine! It's somewhat worrysome! What can we do prevent deficiency? What if we don't consume algae sources? Is supplementation needed?

[veganne]

Very important topic, thanks Dr Gregor! Vegetables are also an important source of iodine, but only if they are grown in an area where the soil has a sufficient iodine content. I live in Europe, where soil iodine levels are low. Some very healthy foods typically on a WFPB diet contain goitrogens, which can block the synthesis of thyroid hormone. These include soy products and cruciferous veggies. Iodine has many functions in the body other than thyroid health, so even if your blood results show healthy thyroid function, you may find you feel better taking an iodine supplement.

[fruitascension]

Thank you Dr Greger. I'm looking forward to the next video on iodine.

[renancabrera]

Dr. Greger, I benefited so much with your guidance. My most sincere thanks.

[Snekcneh]

My dietary iodine deficiency became apparent when I started logging my days worth of eating in an app for a couple of weeks. Been on kelp supplements since.

[lukeharwood]

If you live in the UK then Asda own brand soya milk has added iodine 👍

[weirdunclebob]

This has been a grievance of mine for a long time. I found out two years after becoming vegan that I had a mild iodine deficiency so I looked up vegan sources. I discovered that the USDA don't even include it in their nutrition information so it rarely appears on any nutrition information on products even here in Australia. I upped my spud intake, started eating dried cranberries on my oats and munching a couple of nori snacks every day so I'm hoping that's enough! I'll get my blood tested again soon so crossing my fingers. Mylk is a good source of calcium (and where I get half of mine) so why don't they include iodine, too?!

[Simple-Vegan-Lifestyle]

Does a goitre reverse completely if you start supplementing? If not is there anyway to reverse the goitre? Mine has reduced in size since supplementing but still enlarged. Any help appreciated!

[jasonhsu]

I'm not vegan, but I make sure to take a daily kelp supplement for the iodine. Unlike fiber and potassium, iodine is hard to obtain from food.

[pauloabramoff]

How about those who suffer from Hashimoto Thyroid ....

[ashlynsule]

Very important topic. Thank you Dr Greger

[michaelspano]

i think we are just beginning to understand the importance of how are food is grown and how it effects the nutrient density of foods. i almost always eat organic but even this is not a guarantee of high nutrient density, that comes from the soil. for an insight into regenerative growing to optimize our foods nutrition check out some of nigel palmers videos. i think it may tie in nicely with some of the concerns i read in the comments of deficiencies, fortified products and supplements and how to avoid them, as well how we direct our purchasing dollars. if nothing else it is very fascinating and i think it is a big part of what those on a wfpbd are concerned with.