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Recalls & Warnings
ConsumerLab.com is keeping you informed with current product recalls and warnings.
Posted June 30, 2013
Warning Over Excessive Iodine Intake From Supplements, Including Kelp
While adequate iodine intake is required for normal thyroid function (150 mcg daily for adults and 220-250 mcg daily for pregnant women), the ATA notes that these amounts are usually provided by the typical U.S. diet, and warns that exceeding Upper Limits (UL) for iodine (1, 100 mcg daily for adults) may cause thyroid dysfunction.
(See ConsumerLab.com's Recommended Daily Intakes and Upper Limits For Iodine for children, adults, pregnant and lactating women for more information.)
Infants, the elderly, pregnant and lactating women, and individuals with preexisting thyroid disease are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of too much iodine. Because most people take in enough iodine through their diet alone, taking over 500 mcg of an iodine or kelp supplement may result in an intake that exceeds ULs.
The ATA recommends that pregnant and lactating women meet their increased need for iodine by taking a multivitamin containing 150 mcg iodine daily in the form of potassium iodide (KI) (3) during preconception, pregnancy and lactation.
Under certain medical and environmental conditions - such as severe hyperthyroidism or exposure to radiation from a nuclear power plant accident —taking more than 500 mcg of a daily iodine supplement may be indicated.
See ConsumerLab.com's Reviews of Potassium Iodide (KI) and Potassium Iodate (KIO3): Radioprotective Agents, Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements, and Kelp Supplements Review for tests of related products.
To read the American Thyroid Association's statement, use the link below.
Report a Problem
If you have experienced an unexpected and adverse reaction to a dietary supplement, nutritional product, or generic drug, we would like to hear about it, as we may investigate the problem. Please select from one of these options:
Dietary Supplement or Nutritional Product Problem Report
If you believe that a dietary supplement (e.g., vitamin, mineral, or herbal supplement) or other nutritional product has caused an unexpected, adverse reaction, we would like to know about it. We are collecting and organizing this information and may publish it. We might test the product in the future. You may also want to report the problem to the U.S. FDA through their Safety Reporting Portal at https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov.
Please complete the form below as accurately as possible. You may need to check the label on the product.
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Generic Drug Problem Report
If you believe that a generic drug has not acted like the original drug, we would like to know about it. We are collecting and organizing this information and may publish it. We might test the product in the future. You may also want to report the problem to the U.S. FDA through their MedWatch program at the FDA MedWatch website.
Please complete the form below as accurately as possible. You may need to check the label on the drug.
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