Can You Take Sea Moss Supplements With Levothyroxine?

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.

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