The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Where to Buy
Posted by Katzie (Cancun, Mexico ) on 03/07/2024
After reading about how iodine can mess up biofilm, I finally bought myself a bottle. The stuff is great! But on the bottle's directions it says "For Talisman use only (and keep away from children)". What does "Talisman use" mean? Thanks in advance for any answers received! Bless you all and be well!!
Ganglion Cyst
Posted by Homer (Thessaloniki - Greece) on 11/11/2022
★☆☆☆☆
In the article it says "Skin Problems that Benefit from Topical Iodine Use" and includes ganglion cysts.
I've tried it for my ganglion cyst which is not skin problem! Nothing happened. I've tried Betadine 10%, every night for a month.
Lugol's Iodine Side Effects
Posted by Sukiesnow (Canada) on 11/28/2022
You might also want to have some almond butter later as it sounds like iodine alone is irritating the diverticulitis. Otherwise you could also apply the iodine to your skin.
Diluting Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Jim Janda (AZ) on 07/11/2023
Terry J posted a tip... taking a half tsp of natural salt, red Mill, Celtic, etc... with the larger doses of Lugols... the salt will bind to the released heavy metals and you just pee them out...
Thoughts?
Lugol's Iodine Side Effects
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 07/03/2020
Hi Sue!
Iodine is not expected to disrupt the menstrual cycle or cause hot flushes from what I have read, although it can change hormone levels.
Are you 40 to 50 years of age? You may be experiencing the beginning of menopause.
There are herbs which encourage menstruation, herbs which delay it, and herbs which balance the hormones. You might consider using vitex/chasteberry in addition to the iodine to balance the hormones while the iodine does its work.
If it is indeed menopause you may consider black cohosh, maca, and sage leaf to relieve the discomforts.
You may also consider taking kelp rather than Lugol's iodine, as kelp offers additional nutrients your body may be in need of, as well as iodine.
Transdermal Absorption
Posted by Jacqueline (Devon) on 11/27/2016
Put it on a different place every day.
Ear Infection
Posted by Paul (Cortlandt Manor, NY) on 01/07/2021
★★☆☆☆
I tried Jacquelin's method as well as a single drop neat, without any success at all. It appears that as I have stenoptic ear canals, any form of even slight inflammation, closes the ear completely.
The only treatment which seems to work for me, is diced/crushed Onion-juice into the canal & plugged with cotton-wool, overnight but sometimes, even that doesn't work!
Ear Infection
Posted by Rob (Kentucky ) on 10/27/2021
I agree Diana. I tried it and it burned BAD! Fortunately I had an ear irrigator loaded and ready if things went bad and they did. I'm sticking with povidone iodine 10%.
It's recommended by the Hesperian Guidelines for 3rd World Countries and is as follows:
Give antiseptic ear drops such as vinegar or povidone iodine (betadine). For all ages: 2 drops in the ear, 2 times a day for 2 weeks, then give 2 drops in the ear, 1 time a day (before going to sleep), for several weeks or months til ear issues clear up.
https://en.hesperian.org/hhg/Helping_Children_Who_Are_Deaf:Ear_infection
Broad Benefits
Posted by Melissa (Oklahoma, US) on 02/20/2015
How much Lugol's do you give a 3 # dog?????
Broad Benefits
Posted by Carly (Pnw, US) on 02/20/2015
Hi Melissa....
When our Chihauhua had Cushings and massive skin issues.....I used "betadine solution" 10% Providone-Iodine solution / topical solution iodine on his skin. From what I remember reading at the time, it was considered safe. This would be transdermal, and maybe a good way to go, depending on what your dogs health challenges are.
Ours was a couple of years ago, so you may want to research it on your own. The iodine was sold at a local store with a pharmacy For about ten dollars I believe. Good Luck!
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by B3l (Canada) on 09/08/2014
I got Lugol's by ordering through the Walmart Pharmacy here in Burlington, ON. Best to talk to the pharmacist in person.
Lugol's Iodine Side Effects
Posted by Sam (Utah) on 06/30/2014
I just bought lugol's 5% solution on Amazon. I used 2 drops in water. The next morning I had vaginal bleeding. I was so scared that I stopped using it. That was the only day I had the bleeding. Does anyone know why that would happen. I really wanted to take iodine because of the benefits people have experienced. I do not know if I should start using it again or not?
Where to Buy: Australia
Posted by Rodger (Canberra) on 10/03/2015
I buy Lugols regularly in Australia I have purchased it in Canberra and Adelaide. To succeed you must find a compounding chemist. Read the label carefully, mine is named Aqueous Iodine Solution APF. It contains Iodine 5%w/v and Potassium Iodide 10% w.v. In all cases I have purchased it the chemist has not made it, the brand is "David Craig Galenicals". When you actually get to talk to a pharmacist they will know what you are looking for. I have never found a helpful chemist who will direct you to another chemist who sells it. When asked why you want it the safest approach (which was true in my case) was to say that the doctor says my thyroid is a little low. When asked do you know how to take it it is 16 drops per day for 2 months and then 2 drops a day as a maintenance dose. Everyone is happy and then use it as you like. It must have both types of iodine to be Lugols solution and it is fantastic stuff.
Broad Benefits
Posted by David (Springfield, Mo) on 12/11/2017
Following up on the cold shower thing. Wim Hof has over 20 world records for cold weather achievements, like running a marathon distance below zero in shorts and shoes alone. He uses cold therapy as significant factor in health restoration and recommends cold showers as restorative. He has a program out now, but you can read a lot about it without paying.
Lugol's Iodine Contraindications
Posted by Beberobozo ( New York) on 10/21/2013
Iodine Painting:
Hello, I am 59 year old female and just ordered some Lugols iodine and then I used it for a day and then looked up on webMD and lifescript and even here on EC that you cannot use Iodine if you are on certain high blood pressure medications which I am for now.. Been using natural things as complimentary .. going to find the balance ... Is this true? Can't use iodine at all? Thank You.
Lugol's Iodine Side Effects
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 04/03/2013
Hi Jr... It is certainly possible to get excess iodine symptoms as a metallic taste in the mouth, although my own suspicions are that this problem, when supplementing iodine, may well be caused by the excess bromine in your body being displaced from cells into the blood by the iodine. Excess bromine from the tissues is difficult to remove from the body and this can also cause a metallic taste in the mouth.
See this article here on Bromism.I myself have taken 16 drops a day of 5% lugol's iodine iodine for an extended period and have never had any metallic taste or any other symptoms arise. But I come from a country where bromine is not added to the bread -- but in America, bromine is always added to bread during baking. And whenever you supplement lugol's iodine, you must always ensure that you take the full Iodine Protocol shown here to avoid problems caused by a poor diet (low anti-oxidant, low mineral processed food diet).
If the metallic taste arises from excess bromine in the blood (from supplementing lugols iodine) then you should simply use the simple Sea Salt Protocol as shown in this link to get rid of the excess bromine problem.
Theory of Bromide Dominance.
Lugol's and Irradiation
Posted by Jenn (Coborra, Australia) on 01/11/2015
Lugol's and irradiation..
If it was proper Lugols it would have come in dark glass...also iodine is one of the treatments for radiation...and quite frankly I'd worry more about the air I was breathing than worrying about radiation in the atmosphere..it's been here since day one and will be here long after we've gone...
Lugol's Iodine Side Effects
Posted by Cecilia (Northampton, Ma) on 01/16/2013
I just saw your question so maybe it is too late to respond, but I also had this problem a few months after I reached the full dosage of iodine (taking Iodorl and slowly increasing my dose to 50mg). Nevertheless, I continued and that symptom went away and my breast tissue has never been better, one year later.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Chey (Zachary, la.) on 03/28/2021
When you says drops, do you mean a dropper full or literal drops?
EC: 6 drops, not 6 dropperfuls!
Oral Vs Transdermal
Posted by Tricia (Ireland) on 09/24/2009 84 posts
I finally got a chemist to order me a bottle of lugols iodine ( I hate buying on the internet ). What I've received is Lugols Iodine but even though I specified colorless the only one he could get me is colored. The description on the bottle is " Lugols iodine B.P. - aqueous iodine oral solution - for nutritional supplementation of iodine only - each ml contains 126 mg of iodine derived from iodine and potassium iodide." It then goes on to state that it is for animals only and to paint or spray it on the animals skin and how to orally supplement the animals watering trough as well.
My question is is this the same iodine that people orally supplement with just with an ability to stain?
Oral Vs Transdermal
Posted by Bess (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 03/28/2014
Hi Juliana from Canada - I get my 5% Lugol's iodine from London Drugs or Shoppers Drug Mart (although you can try other pharmacies - including those in places like Safeway or Walmart, etc.). You need to ask the pharmacist to order it for you - for some reason, they don't keep it in stock. I believe it took about a week from the time I ordered it to the time I received it. I can't remember the price (the bottle lasts a very long time) but it was quite reasonable. Hope this helps! Best of health, Bess
Oral Vs Transdermal
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 03/28/2014
Hi Juliana...To obtain a lugol's iodine source in Canada just type "Lugol's Iodine Canada" in ebay.com search or type it into Google Search. The lists displayed will show some vendors from Canada.
An example, from ebay.com, is given here:
Lugols Iodine Source from Canada
Also, most vets and pet shops sell lugol's iodine(sometimes also called Aqueous Iodine) in Canada, another good source.
Oral Vs Transdermal
Posted by Jacqueline (Devon) on 11/27/2016
I've never heard of anyone talk of 'drinking' Lugol's Iodine. It is added to water (not tap), by the drop - a tiny amount. If it's Lugol's iodine, it will say it on the label; if it only says 'BP' then it's not Lugol's - Lugol's is a recognised process of making and mixing iodine and iodide, not a brand name.
Lugol's Formulation
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 07/01/2024
★★★★★
Compound Solution of Iodine — Lugol's Solution 1893 – Liquor Iodi Compositus
Book Formulas - Fenners Complete Formulary 1892, page 559.
The U. S. formula is:
Iodine: 5 parts or ½ ounce av.
Iodide of Potassium: 10 parts or 1 ounce av.
Distilled Water: 85 parts or 8 3/8 fl. ounces
Dissolve the Iodine and Iodide of Potassium in the Distilled Water, and keep the solution in well-stopped bottles.
The Br. P. under the heading Liquor Iodi or Solution of Iodine directs Iodine 10 parts, Iodide of Potassium 15 parts, Distilled Water 200 parts. The percentage of Iodine is the same as in the U. S. formula.
Uses – Lugol's Solution, as it is popularly known, is given internally in doses of 3 minims (4 drops) to 5 minims (6 drops) diluted with water as an alternative and absorbent.
How To Take Lugol's
Posted by John (Trang, Thailand) on 07/13/2009
Lugol's Aqueous Iodine 5%. I bought from the Trang Hospital with an expiry date, Oct 9th 2009.
1. Can it go off? What happens?
2. After taking it, what are likely side effects/ adverse reactions if any?
3. No distilled water here. Rain water OK?
4. Take the drops before eating or after?
5. How do I tell if cadmium, mercury, fluoride, chlorine etc. have left me?
How To Take Lugol's
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 11/10/2016 2048 posts
M: I add Iodine to a gallon of purified water in a plastic jug and last 2 or 3 days, so there's no bad taste problem. For additional Iodine one can take Kelp tablets or Potassium Iodine tablets.
How To Take Lugol's
Posted by Rosemary (Qld, Australia) on 02/27/2018
I put mine into my morning mix of brewers yeast and yogurt, taste is very minimal.
Acid Reflux
Posted by Sandr (Chicago, IL) on 04/15/2024
Did he take the 5% or the 2% Lugols?
Lugol's Iodine Side Effects
Posted by Dee (Atlanta, GA) on 11/02/2008
I was taking Lugol's iodine for about a week, then stopped for 2 weeks, then started up 2 days ago, 5 drops diluted in water (what women say to take daily for breast cancer prevention). Right after taking the drops yesterday, I had an immediately reaction: runny nose and slight pressure behind the eyes. Today (Monday) my nose is still runny, but the pressure behind my eyes is a bit less. I know the runny nose is from having too much iodine in my body. Should I be worried? How can I pull the excess iodine from my system? I am going to stop the iodine for at least a month now and if I take it in the future, no more than 1-2 drops at a time.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Betty (Cascade, MT) on 01/03/2008
★★★★★
I have been on Lugols iodine since June, 2007. It has helped my chronic sinus congestion, hypothyroid and hot flashes. However, my Holistic Nutritionist is unable to get it now that the FDA has gotten their way again!!! Where can I get it now? Betty
Broad Benefits
Posted by Tom (Regina, Sk) on 05/01/2010
There still seems to be some confusion or disinfo here about the legal availability of original 5% Lugol's Iodine solution in the USA from retailers since August 2007.
One internet retailer has the actual 2007 DEA notice up, which clearly states that it still is legal in USA, after August 1 2007, to buy up to 1 30-ml bottle of original 5% strength Lugol's per person per transaction or shipment (that is,the aqueous 5%/10% mixture of the 2 forms of iodine called Lugol's since the early 1800's):
http://jcrows.com/iodinealert.html
Additionally, the final rule exempts
transactions of up to one-fluid-ounce (30 ml) of Lugol's Solution.
.....................................
Comments Regarding Iodine Products Used for Nutritional Supplementation
Twelve comments expressed concerns that the proposed regulations would adversely impact the availability of products for use as a dietary source of iodine. These comments detailed the use of iodine products as part of a nutritional program to supplement iodine levels for various health purposes (e.g., the normalization of thyroid function, prevention of breast cancer recurrence, or supplementation during pregnancy as a program to prevent autism in offsprings.)
Eleven of these comments expressed concern that the regulation would adversely impact the availability of a specific formulation known as Lugol's Solution. Lugol's Solution is a 5 percent aqueous solution of iodine in combination with 10 percent potassium iodide.
........................................
The maximum strength of Lugol's allowable for purchase in solution amounts over 30 ml in USA is now 2.2%, since August 1 2007.
As of May 2010, I believe this DEA rule is still in effect, otherwise it would have been updated or removed on this retailer's website.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Laura (Illinois, US) on 02/26/2015
where do you purchase your Lugol's?
Lugol's Iodine Side Effects
Posted by Ter (NC) on 04/04/2022
I know I'm in need of iodine due to the skin patch test. However, every time I take Lugol's I get a Diverticulosis flair and constipation. This is very painful until it passes. Anyone got any ideas about this, why it happens, how to treat it? For now I'm doing the skin loading and take kelp.
Pink Eye, Sinuses
Posted by Jim (Tucson) on 07/11/2023
I have been using a home made eye drop solution of MSM, C and DMSO... I wonder if adding some Lugols would be beneficial, or be contraindicated...??
I use for dry eyes (not much help), floaters, ditto, and to avoid macular degeneration...
Pink Eye, Sinuses
Posted by Hollyhock (America ) on 07/11/2023
I would look into hexane free cold pressed castor oil for eye problems. Research it here on earth clinic. I wouldn't put iodine in my eyes.
Lugol's Iodine Side Effects
Posted by Sue (Malaysia ) on 07/02/2020
Started Lugol s iodine a month ago. Started slow with one drop for 1 week plus, right now I am on 3-4 drops daily (5%). I have adenomyosis and read about all the good of iodine. However, ever since started taking iodine, I don't seem to sleep so well, I have few / some hot flushes daily, and most of all I missed my period during month of May.
Would be pleased if anyone with experiences r able to advise.
Thanks.
Sue
Lugol's Vs. Nascent Iodine
Posted by Diane (Austin) on 06/16/2018
Stick with Nascent.
Transdermal Absorption
Posted by Lorraine (Uk) on 12/16/2015
Just read comments about iodine. Can you help me please!
I started using Lugol's iodine from Amazon, it states external use, so I started to apply it on the skin, starting with one drop a day. The patch went after few hours. I increased to two drops a day, then three drops a day over a period of about six weeks.The patch still disappears before twenty four hours! On average between sixteen to twenty hours.
However, where I was putting the iodine on my skin, inner leg, I have got a itch rash now, lumpy and also two or three dark spots and I have come out in a couple of facial spots which is unusual for me. I have had some metal taste in my mouth, but not sure whether that was anything to do with iodine as that happened a few days after I stopped taking it!
If it is true that your deficient if the skin patch goes before twenty four hours then it suggests I am deficient still with three drops a day, but now I have this itchy skin. What can I do? I did drop down to one drop and the skin patch went quicker, so I am not sure how I can get it into my body now I have had this skin reaction! I am reluctant to take in orally as its states external use, although some people on Amazon have reviewed the product and said they take it orally.
I have dodgy digestive system so I have to be careful, I have severe M.E my body is very fragile.
Why would I get this skin reaction after six weeks! Any ideas how to proceed please!
Transdermal Absorption
Posted by Liz (Michigan ) on 04/06/2024
This is a natural reaction, and is a good thing! Your body is detoxing bromide!
Where to Buy: Philippines
Posted by Serlinia (Capiz) on 10/01/2015
Bill where can I buy lugols iodine in the Philippines? Been looking for it some 3 years ago but to no avail. Please do tell me the place to buy buy it. I went to SM alternative shop but there was none.
Where to Buy: Philippines
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 10/01/2015
Hi Serlinia...For a full list of where you can buy Lugols Iodine, Borax, FG Hydrogen Peroxide, Colloidal Silver, Magnesium Chloride etc -- see this link:
Nutrient Sources in Manila
Where to Buy: Philippines
Posted by Serlinia (Capiz) on 10/02/2015
Thank you so much Bill for making things easier! Keep posting and answering quries as Ted is still recovering. The world is praying for him. Thank you so much for the two of you, so with Deirde not sure of the spelling though. May God continue to preserve @ bless you all with God health and long life so people all over the world will have the greatest benefit from so so brilliant minds.
Ear Infection
Posted by Jeroen Remy Hua Hun (Amsterdam) on 05/28/2024
Hi Jacqueline, I'm ready to try this solution of Lugol's diluted with water. I have a suppurative ear (infection) since a couple of months now. I'm a bit concerned though as last winter I had a perforated eardrum. How can I be sure this method is safe?
Hope this reaches you as your post is from a long time ago.
Thanks!! Remy
Where to Buy: Ghana
Posted by Renas (Ghana - West Africa) on 06/19/2015
Hello,
Please, I need lugols iodine solutio in Ghana West Africa. I want to know if its possible. I count on a favourable response. Thank you, Renas.
Other Supplements and Lugol's
Posted by John1974 (N. Ireland) on 03/08/2015 38 posts
I bought lugol's 15% iodine and I read up you have to take other vitamins with this. I'm taking vitamin b complex and garlic capsules which contain 1000mg a day.
Is there any other vitamin I need to buy or take with iodine?
Other Supplements and Lugol's
Posted by Jacqueline (Devon, Uk) on 09/25/2015
Look up the Iodine protocol. It will tell you all the other stuff you should be taking.
