Lugols Solution is iodine and iodide in solution

Other names for Lugol’s Solution:  Potassium triiodide solution, IKI (Iodine Potassium- Iodide); Aqueous Iodine Solution BP.

First introduced as a bactericide and fungicide in 1829 by French physician, Jean Lugol.   Original Lugol’s solution is a transparent brown liquid consisting of 10 % potassium iodide to 5% iodine to 85% distilled water, called a 5% solution (contains total iodine content of 130 mg/mL as iodide ions (I- ) and triiodide ions (I3- ) ). During the early 1900’s, this iodine / triiodide solution was used extensively, effectively and safely in medical practice, for both low activity and above normal activity of the thyroid gland. It has now been discovered that it has many more benefits including dealing with reproductive organ cancers, cysts

How to use Lugol’s solution

Lugol’s As a dietary supplement

Administration of iodine / iodide in liquid solution is not very accurate and it does have a bit of a taste. On an empty stomach, about 20 minutes before eating, take desired number of drops in an 8 oz. glass of water (preferably with one tsp. of raw apple cider vinegar added for slight acidification). Number of drops will depend on how many milligrams of iodine / iodide you want to take and the particular concentration of the Lugol’s solution.   To make it more confusing, drops come in different sizes too. Read the label for guidance and see guidelines below.

One drop 5% Lugol’s solution contains a total of ~6.3 mg  iodine + iodide   (i.e. 2.5 mg molecular iodine +  3.8 mg iodide)

One drop 2% Lugol’s solution contains a total of  ~2.5 mg iodine + iodide (i.e. 1 mg molecular iodine + 1.5 mg  iodide)

Absorb into bloodstream by ‘Painting’ the skin  with Lugol’s solution before retiring for the night.

This allows the body to absorb what it needs from the skin (e.g. soles of the feet, insides of arms / legs, stomach, over thyroid). As treatment progresses, the need for the solution diminishes because the body rebuilds its stores and thus absorbs less and less over each 24 hour period.

• Only 1 – 4% of the total iodine applied to the skin is absorbed into the blood stream within the first few hours.  The rest of the iodine  within the skin (8- 11% that does not evaporate) is slowly released from the skin into the blood stream.
• Contrary to popular opinion, the rate at which the iodine disappears from the skin is UNRELATED to the body’s iodine content.   Meticulous research by Nyiri and Jannitti in 1932 clearly showed that when iodine is applied to the skin in almost any form, 50% evaporates into the air within 2 hours and between 75- 80% evaporates into the air within 24 hours. A total 88% evaporates within 3 days and it is at this point that the evaporation stops.

 Lugols used topically for dermatological / external issues

Lugol’s solution can be applied topically for:

• Scar prevention.  Use as soon as possible after wound has scabbed over, since iodine stings royally when applied to an open wound
• Baldness 
• Dermatitis
• Fibrotic conditions / keloids 
• Fistulas
• Hemorrhoids
• Infected hangnails
• Precancerous skin lesions / Bowen’s disease
• Sebaceous cysts
• Ringworm
• Skin tags /Moles
• Vaginal infection (as a douche)

Other considerations

Be aware of some side-effects of iodine supplementation

Side effects of iodine supplementation

Antidotes for iodine overdose

• Chocolate or cocoa.   High in bromine which displaces iodine;
• Vitamin C.    Take ¼ tsp. (~2.5g) in juice or water

Iodine dosage guidelines for Lugol’s Solution or IODORAL® (tablet form of Lugol’s)

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to iodine supplementation, since everyone’s needs are different.

The first goal is to attain whole-body iodine sufficiency (an estimated body total of 1.5g)

Whole-body iodine sufficiency takes about a year to achieve with a daily intake of 12.5 mg iodine/iodide.    i.e. 1 tablet Iodoral® or 2 drops Lugol’s solution. In 8 normal subjects who achieved whole body iodine sufficiency, the fasting serum inorganic iodide levels ranged from 0.85 to 1.34 mg/L 24 hrs after the last intake of iodine.

However, use caution with sever hyperthyroidism or diabetic neuropathy.   Almost all adults can start at the 12.5 mg dose with no health problems, but for those with severe hypothyroidism and/or diabetic neuropathy, an initial dose of even 1 mg may be too much – as the iodine restores metabolic function to nerves, the dying peripheral nerves start being revived, which can send increasing amounts of abnormal signals to the brain, often experienced as intense itching and/or phantom pains. As they recover, the nerves eventually start acting more normally, and the pains and itching gradually go away. Unfortunately, the more damage, the longer and more painful is the recovery. To make the recovery bearable, the iodine dose must be low to allow a gradual rebuilding of the nerves over months, or even years.

Start with 12.5 mg iodine/iodide (1 tablet Iodoral® or 2 drops 5% Lugol’s solution) and build up slowly.   Maintain dose for a few days, until you reach a maximum 50mg iodine / iodide per day (spaced out) according to your body’s comfort level.

Serious issues may need a stepped-up dose – some taking about 3 months at 50 mg iodine / iodide per day (4 tablets Iodoral®, 8 drops Lugol’s, best split into 2 morning and afternoon doses).  This is the amount shown to have positive impact on serious illnesses such as breast cancer, thyroid cancer or autoimmune thyroid disorders.

Trust your own instinct / judgement and adjust the dose downward if you have any of the following symptoms indicating excessive iodine intake:

* An unpleasant brassy taste, runny nose, and acne-like skin lesions are caused by the bromide that iodine extracts from the tissues.

^#  Typically:

• Iodine increases thyroid function ▲ if you are iodine-deficient
• Iodine decreases thyroid function ▼ if you are iodine-sufficient

After reaching whole body sufficiency.  Cut back slowly on the daily dose until you are at maintenance level (see below).

Maintenance level

After whole-body sufficiency is attained,  a sufficient dose for optimal function of the body’s glands and organ is generally ~3 mg iodine/ iodide (¼ Iodoral tablet or 1 small drop Lugol’s) / day.    This dose is equivalent to the average daily intake of a person in Japan.  However, a daily 3mg maintenance dose is just a guideline and will need to be adjusted for personal factors affecting your personal need for iodine:

Factors affecting personal iodine maintenance dose

• Being female.  Women tend to need more iodine / iodide than men.    The female breasts concentrate elemental iodine from available iodide.
• The requirement for iodine depends on the individual’s goitrogenic load.    A goitrogen interferes with the uptake and utilization of iodine by target cells. The greater the goitrogenic load, the greater the need for iodine. Examples of goitrogens are bromine, chlorine, fluorine, and soy – all commonly found in today’s diet and environment.

Goitrogens vs. iodine

• Restoring iodine concentrations too quickly may overload body with toxins.   Since iodine mobilizes toxic metals and goitrogenic halides from their storage sites, it may not be wise to achieve whole body sufficiency for iodine too rapidly since mobilization of these toxic substances may increase their peripheral levels high enough to cause symptoms. A complete nutritional program combined with increased fluid intake will help the body eliminate these toxic elements more safely.  For those experiencing detox side effects  E.g. constipation, acne or rash, often as a result of detoxing bromide into the bloodstream causing bromism symptoms (other bromism symptoms include lethargy, depression, “dark” thoughts, brain fog, leg and hip pain).  Side-effects are usually reversible in 24-48 hours.  By discontinuing the iodine and allowing a short period of washout before restarting at a lower dose;
  • Use 1/2 tsp. Celtic or Himalayan sea salt dissolved in a large glass of water.   This speeds up the bromide detox through the kidneys;
  • Drink additional water
• Consider your status for vitamins or minerals required for normal thyroid synthesis.    E.g. vitamin A, vitamin B₆, selenium and magnesium. Deficiencies of any of these will have had a negative impact on how your previous iodine intake was utilized. These deficiencies should be addressed.

Nutrient support for TH production / iodine supplementation

• Omega-3 /  good animal fat Intake / Omega-6 fats suppress thyroid function.   These fats are consumed to excess (some estimate 20% of caloric intake) in the typical Western diet in the form of commercial vegetable oils; studies have shown that omega-6 rich corn oil suppresses liver response to T4, compared to lard, safflower oil similarly suppresses T3 response compared to beef tallow, and omega-6 linoleic acid suppresses both liver and brown fat response to T3. (the liver responds to TH for body temperature control). In the 70’s, linoleic acid was even considered as a treatment for hyperthyroidism. Those consuming a balance of omega-6 /omega-3 and eating good animal//fish fats, e.g.  grass-fed butter and wild oily fish, may need a lower iodine intake. Omega-6 Linoleic Acid Suppresses Thyroid Signaling, 2008

We need more Omega-3

Fats and Oils

Where to buy Lugol’s solution?

2007 DEA regulations (apparently it can be used to make methamphetamine) only allow Lugol’s solution with a concencentration >2.2%  to be sold by registered companies.   A 5% solution has 50,000 ppm of iodine, in comparison, a 2% solution (2% iodine, 4% potassium iodide and 94% Distilled Water) has 20,000 ppm of iodine. Here’s some randomly-found places where you can buy the original 5% Lugol’s solution (you have to sign in) or 12.5mg iodoral tablets:   Lugolsnaturals.com    Holistic health.   By way of a tip – you may find a better deal at an aquarium store, where it is sold for treating water in fish tanks.

Shelf-Life.  Lugol’s solution should last indefinitely stored in a cool, dark place.

Lugol’s Chemistry.    An aqueous solution of potassium iodide (KI) is prepared by dissolving KI in water, say 10g KI in 85g water. Then, once dissolved, 5g iodine crystals (diatomic, elemental iodine) are added to the iodide ions in the KI solution to form a stable, yellowish brown potassium triiodide solution.When diluted or consumed, it disproportionates back to and provides its consumer with iodide ions and elemental iodine. The elemental iodine can react with water to form hydriodic acid and hypoiodous acid, and with potassium present there will be a complex mixture.