Can You Take Sea Moss Supplements With Levothyroxine?
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses the safety of combining levothyroxine and sea moss supplements.
I take levothyroxine 50mcg daily. I've heard about the benefits of sea moss supplements, but I've also learned that they can potentially interfere with thyroid hormones due to their iodine content. Should I avoid taking sea moss?
Jul 10, 2023- Sea moss contains a relatively small amount of iodine (4-7 mcg per gram) that is unlikely to cause significant changes to thyroid function in healthy individuals. People taking levothyroxine or those with pre-existing thyroid disorders may be at higher risk for adverse effects from iodine supplements and should consult their doctor before using sea moss. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider before starting sea moss or any other iodine-rich supplement to ensure appropriate monitoring.
Quick Answer
Sea moss dietary supplements generally contain around 4-7mcg of iodine per gram. This is a relatively small amount and is unlikely to cause any clinically significant changes to how your thyroid functions. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that individual factors can influence how sea moss or any iodine-rich supplement affects you, so it is important to consult with your doctor before incorporating sea moss or any iodine-rich supplement into your diet.
Detailed Answer
Sea moss, also known as Irish moss or Chondrus crispus, is a type of red seaweed. It has a variety of uses and is utilized as a dietary supplement due to its iodine and other vitamin/mineral content.
Sea moss supplements are often marketed to support thyroid function because iodine serves as an essential component of thyroid hormones. These hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), play a very important role in regulating a number of different biochemical reactions in the body.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set the following intake levels for iodine:
- Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDAs): 150 micrograms (mcg) per day (adults)
- Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), which is the maximum daily dose unlikely to cause adverse side effects in the general population: 1,100 mcg per day (adults)
Most clinical studies evaluating sea moss have reported that it contains approximately 4-7 mcg of iodine per gram.
Considering that the tolerable upper intake level for iodine is set at 1,100 mcg per day, and sea moss typically provides a relatively low amount of iodine per gram, incorporating sea moss into your diet in reasonable amounts generally will not cause significant disruptions in thyroid function.
Nevertheless, individuals with pre-existing thyroid disorders, or those taking a thyroid-hormone drug such as levothyroxine, may be more at risk of adverse effects from iodine supplements.
Excessive intake of iodine can lead to similar symptoms as iodine deficiency, such as goiter, elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and hypothyroidism. Very high doses can also result in iodine-induced hyperthyroidism. The risk of these types of side effects could be increased if you have a pre-existing thyroid condition.
Overall though, as mentioned, in healthy individuals, taking sea moss supplements at recommended dosages is unlikely to cause problems. As always though, if you have a thyroid condition or are taking thyroid hormones like levothyroxine, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before starting sea moss or any other iodine-rich supplements to ensure appropriate monitoring.
For more information, see our 'herbal interaction page' detailing the interaction between sea moss and levothyroxine.
Final Words
Thanks so much for reaching out! Please feel free to do so again anytime.
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Iodine
- A chemical element essential for making thyroid hormones that control metabolism and growth.
- Thyroid function
- How well your thyroid gland produces and releases hormones that regulate body processes.
- Thyroxine (T4)
- A thyroid hormone that helps control how fast your body uses energy and produces heat.
- Triiodothyronine (T3)
- A thyroid hormone similar to T4 that regulates metabolism and energy use in your body.
- Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
- The amount of a nutrient the government suggests healthy people should consume each day.
- Goiter
- An abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck, often caused by iodine problems.
- Hypothyroidism
- A condition where your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, slowing down your metabolism.
- Hyperthyroidism
- A condition where your thyroid produces too many hormones, speeding up your metabolism.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
More answers from Brian →