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Dietary supplement

Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Seeking Health

Capsule Category: Mineral
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg is a dietary supplement by Seeking Health with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for preventing iodine deficiency, supporting thyroid hormone production, general energy and metabolism support.Based on those ingredients, 7 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Iodine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg by Seeking Health

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • “Iodine” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (12.50 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains one active ingredient: potassium iodide, a form of iodine at 12.5 mg per capsule. The remaining ingredients — microcrystalline cellulose, a vegetarian capsule, coconut oil powder, and silicon dioxide — are inactive ingredients that make up the capsule structure and help deliver the iodine.

Does it work?

Strong evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Strong

Clinical evidence supports at least one of this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: essential trace element iodine support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Iodine deficiency, Infant development, Radiation exposure, Thyroid function, Metabolism, Cognitive support.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Iodine is rated "Likely Effective" for Radiation exposure (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Iodine is rated "Likely Effective" for Iodine deficiency.
  • Also on file: Iodine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Infant development.

The iodine in this product is rated likely effective for preventing radiation exposure and treating iodine deficiency. It's also rated possibly effective for oral mucositis (mouth sores) and periodontitis (gum disease), though the evidence is less established for these uses.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Iodine

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Iodine is well tolerated when taken in normal dietary amounts, but high doses can cause thyroid problems — that's the main caution. In pregnancy, adequate iodine is important for the baby's development, but you should use only the amount your doctor recommends and avoid high-dose products.

During breastfeeding, some iodine passes into breast milk, so follow your doctor's guidance on dosing. Common side effects at higher intakes include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal upset, metallic taste, headache, and goiter (thyroid enlargement).

Rare but serious hypersensitivity reactions — including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and rash — have been reported in some people.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Iodine

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Iodine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: lithium.
  • For scale: 7 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your pharmacist if you take lithium, antithyroid drugs (like methimazole or PTU), or amiodarone — all carry Moderate interactions with iodine. Thyroid function monitoring is recommended for all three.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with clinical evidence supporting its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This iodine supplement is useful if you're iodine deficient or need thyroid protection after radiation exposure. Be careful if you take lithium, antithyroid drugs, or amiodarone — all three need thyroid monitoring with iodine.

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before starting, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any thyroid condition.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 25, 2020.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Seeking Health
Barcode (UPC) 828054179592
Net contents 90 Vegetarian Capsules
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 25, 2020
DSLD ID 210954
Product type Mineral
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg by Seeking Health, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
90
UPC/BARCODE
828054179592
IngredientAmount% DV
Iodine12.5 mg8333%
Potassium Iodide7.5 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetarian Capsule, Coconut Oil powder, Silicon Dioxide

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 1 capsule daily with food or as directed by your health care professional.

Formula

Optimal Iodine provides bene? cial forms of iodine, an essential trace element. Each capsule supplies 12.5 mg total iodine (equivalent to 12,500 mcg).

Storage

Storage: Do not use if shrinkwrap is broken or missing. Store in a cool, dry place below 85 degrees F away from direct light. Do not freeze.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

Warning: This product is not intended for long-term daily use. Use only as directed under the supervision of a doctor.

Do not use this product if you are pregnant or nursing.

This product is not intended for children below the age of 18 years.

If you have a thyroid or other medical condition, or are taking prescription medications, consult your doctor before using this product. Thyroid function should be closely monitored by your doctor while using this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

General Statements

Produced under a strict quality management system in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and third-party quality certifications. Find other effective products at: www.seekinghealth.com Physician Formulated

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formulation

Does Not Contain: milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, wheat, gluten, soybeans, and yeast. Contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

See for yourself

Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg by Seeking Health label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg by Seeking Health

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

Iodine

Interacts with
7 drugs
12.5 mg per serving

Iodine is an essential mineral your body needs to make thyroid hormones, and most people get enough from iodized salt, dairy, and seafood. Supplements...

Iodine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetarian Capsule, Coconut Oil powder, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg by Seeking Health Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
7Drugs
7 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Iodine 7

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Iodine3 drug types · 7 drugs

Amiodarone (Cordarone)

Combining iodine with amiodarone might cause excessively high iodine levels.
Amiodarone contains 37.3% iodine and can increase iodine levels. Concomitant use with iodine might increase the risk of having excessive iodine levels and adversely affecting thyroid function. Monitor thyroid function.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Antithyroid Drugs

Iodine might alter the effects of antithyroid drugs.
Iodine in high doses has been reported to cause both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, depending on the individual's past medical history. Taking iodine while using antithyroid drugs could alter the effects of the antithyroid drugs.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Lithium

Combining iodine with lithium might have additive hypothyroid effects.
Lithium can inhibit thyroid function. Several case reports suggest that concomitant use of lithium and potassium iodide can reduce thyroid function in otherwise healthy adults. Monitor thyroid function.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg, from the product label.

Seeking Health

See all Seeking Health products
Name
Seeking Health, LLC
Street Address
3140 Mercer Ave
City
Bellingham
State
WA
ZipCode
98225
Phone Number
(800) 547-9812
Web Address
www.seekinghealth.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg by Seeking Health: Common Questions

Does Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg by Seeking Health interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg has a known interaction with 7 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is this safe to take if I'm pregnant?
Iodine is likely safe in pregnancy — adequate iodine is actually important for your baby — but you should only take the amount your doctor recommends and avoid high-dose products. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the right dose for you before starting.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
Some iodine passes into breast milk, so you need to follow your doctor's guidance on dosing. There isn't enough data on file to say what's safe on your own, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.
What's the difference between iodine deficiency and iodine allergy?
Iodine deficiency is when your body doesn't have enough iodine — this product helps treat that. An 'iodine allergy' is often actually an allergy to something else in iodine-containing foods or contrast dyes, not iodine itself, though some people can be genuinely hypersensitive to iodine when taken by mouth. If you've had allergic reactions to iodine-containing products before, talk to your pharmacist.
What side effects might I notice?
At normal doses, iodine is generally well tolerated. Some people report nausea, diarrhea, abdominal upset, metallic taste, headache, or a runny nose. High doses over time can cause thyroid problems or acnelike skin lesions (iododerma). Rare serious reactions like anaphylaxis or rash have been reported in hypersensitive people.
Does this prevent thyroid disease?
The data shows this iodine is likely effective for treating iodine deficiency and protecting the thyroid after radiation exposure. There's no data on file about preventing thyroid disease in general.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Optimal Iodine 12.5 mg's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 26 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Iodine 26 references
  1. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
  2. Goodman GA, Rall TW, Nies AS, Taylor P. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed.
  3. Ghent WR, Eskin BA, Low DA, Hill LP. Iodine replacement in fibrocystic disease of the breast. Can J Surg 1993;36:453-60.
  4. Potassium iodide for nuclear exposure. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter 2001;17(12):171214.
  5. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002.
  6. Cabezas C, Bustamante B, Holgado W, Begue RE. Treatment of cutaneous sporotrichosis with one daily dose of potassium iodide. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1996;15:352-4. PubMed
  7. Sterling JB, Heymann WR. Potassium iodide in dermatology: a 19th century drug for the 21st century-uses, pharmacology, adverse effects, and contraindications. J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;43:691-7. PubMed
  8. Yarrington CD, Pearce EN. Dietary iodine in pregnancy and postpartum. Clin Obstet Gynecol 2011;54:459-70. PubMed
  9. Goel, S., Mandhani, A., Srivastava, A., Kapoor, R., Gogoi, S., Kumar, A., and Bhandari, M. Is povidone iodine an alternative to silver nitrate for renal pelvic instillation sclerotherapy in chyluria? BJU.Int 2004;94(7):1082-1085. PubMed
  10. Teng, W., Shan, Z., Teng, X., Guan, H., Li, Y., Teng, D., Jin, Y., Yu, X., Fan, C., Chong, W., Yang, F., Dai, H., Yu, Y., Li, J., Chen, Y., Zhao, D., Shi, X., Hu, F., Mao, J., Gu, X., Yang, R., Tong, Y., Wang, W., Gao, T., and Li, C. Effect of iodine int
  11. Crawford, B. A., Cowell, C. T., Emder, P. J., Learoyd, D. L., Chua, E. L., Sinn, J., and Jack, M. M. Iodine toxicity from soy milk and seaweed ingestion is associated with serious thyroid dysfunction. Med J Aust. 10-4-2010;193(7):413-415. PubMed
  12. Ohkuma, M. Molluscum contagiosum treated with iodine solution and salicylic acid plaster. Int J Dermatol. 1990;29(6):443-445. PubMed
  13. Connelly KJ, Boston BA, Pearce EN, Sesser D, Snyder D, Braverman LE, Pino S, LaFranchi SH. Congenital hypothyroidism caused by excess prenatal maternal iodine ingestion. J Pediatr. 2012 Oct;161(4):760-2. PubMed
  14. Kasahara T, Narumi S, Okasora K, Takaya R, Tamai H, Hasegawa T. Delayed onset congenital hypothyroidism in a patient with DUOX2 mutations and maternal iodine excess. Am J Med Genet A. 2013 Jan;161A(1):214-7.
  15. Murcia M, Rebagliato M, Iñiguez C, Lopez-Espinosa MJ, Estarlich M, Plaza B, Barona-Vilar C, Espada M, Vioque J, Ballester F. Effect of iodine supplementation during pregnancy on infant neurodevelopment at 1 year of age. Am J Epidemiol. 2011 Apr 1;173(7):8 PubMed
  16. Sang Z, Wang PP, Yao Z, Shen J, Halfyard B, Tan L, Zhao N, Wu Y, Gao S, Tan J, Liu J, Chen Z, Zhang W. Exploration of the safe upper level of iodine intake in euthyroid Chinese adults: a randomized double-blind trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Feb;95(2):367-73 PubMed
  17. Speeckaert MM, Speeckaert R, Wierckx K, Delanghe JR, Kaufman JM. Value and pitfalls in iodine fortification and supplementation in the 21st century. Br J Nutr. 2011 Oct;106(7):964-73. PubMed
  18. Yun SE, Kang Y, Bae EJ, Hwang K, Jang HN, Cho HS, Chang SH, Park DJ. Iodine-induced thyrotoxic hypokalemic paralysis after ingestion of Salicornia herbace. Ren Fail. 2014 Apr;36(3):461-3.
  19. Iodine Hypersensitivity. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter 2011; 27(5):270504.
  20. Hammel JA, Selby JC. Pustular eruption in a patient with cancer treated with complementary and alternative medicine. JAMA Dermatology 2017 October; E1. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.3749. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed
  21. Gil GS, Smith BW, Guerra JR, Williams WT. Acute Delirium in a Hypothyroid Patient Precipitated by Iodine Supplements Use. Am J Ther. 2018;25(6):e717-e718. PubMed
  22. Hamby T, Kunnel N, Dallas JS, Wilson DP. Maternal iodine excess: an uncommon cause of acquired neonatal hypothyroidism. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2018;31(9):1061-1064. PubMed
  23. Censi S, Watutantrige-Fernando S, Groccia G, et al. The Effects of Iodine Supplementation in Pregnancy on Iodine Status, Thyroglobulin Levels and Thyroid Function Parameters: Results from a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial in a Mild-to-Moderate Iodine
  24. Rovner MS, Wolf BJ, Rubin M, et al. Instillation of 5% Povidone-Iodine Ophthalmic Drops Decreases the Respiratory Rate in Children Undergoing Strabismus Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2019;56(6):378-382. PubMed
  25. Guenezan J, Garcia M, Strasters D, et al. Povidone Iodine Mouthwash, Gargle, and Nasal Spray to Reduce Nasopharyngeal Viral Load in Patients With COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021;147(4):400-401. PubMed
  26. Li F, Wan S, Zhang L, et al. A Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Iodine Excess on the Intellectual Development of Children in Areas with High Iodine Levels in their Drinking Water. Biol Trace Elem Res 2022;200(4):1580-1590. PubMed

See these in context on the Iodine monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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