For over 25 years, iodine was a quiet but powerful part of my daily supplement routine. It wasn’t something I thought about much, just one of those tiny bottles that always sat on my kitchen shelf. 

But eight months ago, I decided to stop taking it. I didn’t expect much to change. After all, I’d been healthy, active, and symptom-free for years. What followed, however, was an unexpected and eye-opening journey that made me realize just how vital this trace mineral is, especially for women over 50.

If you’re postmenopausal and dealing with stubborn symptoms like breast tenderness, hair thinning, or unexplained fatigue, what I discovered may surprise you. 

Iodine could be the missing piece you didn’t even know your body needed.

Why Did I Start Taking Iodine in the First Place?

My iodine journey started more than two decades ago, after giving birth to my third child. A few years postpartum, I lost hair quickly. Pile it. Perhaps hormones, stress, or age were to blame. I sensed something was wrong.

When I started reading about natural ways to support hair regrowth, iodine kept coming up. Back then, it wasn’t a popular supplement, but every source I looked at linked it to brain health, hair growth, and thyroid health. As it turns out, the thyroid makes hormones that control almost every part of the body, including the hair growth cycle.

So, I decided to try it. The results weren’t instant, but they were real. Over several months, my hair stopped falling out in handfuls. It started to grow past my shoulders again, which was a big milestone I hadn’t seen in years.

My energy got better. My skin looked clearer. I took iodine every year, even when I was going through perimenopause and into my 50s. It became a part of me until I got too curious.

Why Did I Stop Taking Iodine After 25 Years?

I chose to try something new eight months ago, which was creatine. A lot of people take it because it helps their muscles and brains. I wanted to isolate its effects, so I stopped everything else, including iodine.

At first, nothing seemed different. But within weeks, something unexpected started happening. I developed constant breast tenderness. It felt like the soreness that used to come before my period, except this time, I was postmenopausal. There was no cycle coming. No explanation.

At first, I brushed it off. Maybe it was just another mysterious “menopause thing”. But the sharp, sore pain came back every day and wouldn’t go away. That’s when I knew there was more going on.

What’s the Connection Between Iodine and Breast Tenderness?

One night, while scrolling online for answers, I stumbled upon a video by a doctor who mentioned that breast tenderness can be linked to iodine deficiency, especially in women with fibrocystic breast tissue. That small clue sent me down a rabbit hole of research.

It turns out that iodine is essential for maintaining healthy breast tissue. It is stored and used by the breast, thyroid, and ovaries. When the body doesn’t get enough, breast cells can become sensitive to changes in hormones, which can make them sore, swell, or form cysts.

According to a study, women with fibrocystic breast disease who supplemented with iodine experienced significant symptom improvement within months. Another review in the Journal of Breast Health confirmed that iodine helps normalize estrogen activity in breast tissue, reducing sensitivity and discomfort.

I came to a deep realisation: the iodine I had been taking every day had probably been protecting me the whole time. My body quickly reminded me how much it needed it after I took it off.

What Happened When I Started Taking Iodine Again

I added iodine back into my routine because I was curious and needed it badly. I didn’t think it would work right away, but I hoped it would help. To my surprise, the breast pain went away completely within 48 hours.

It felt as though a switch had been flipped. The relief was instant and absolute. I chose to do an experiment to be sure it wasn’t a coincidence. For a week, I stopped taking iodine again. The tenderness came back with the same level of intensity and pain. When I started doing it again, the pain went away again in two days.

That was the moment I knew for sure: iodine wasn’t a choice for me. It was very important.

How I Take Iodine Every Day

The iodine I use is molecular iodine, a form that has been studied for both thyroid and breast health. It’s available in concentrated liquid drops, which makes it easy to measure and adjust. Every morning, I add one drop to a glass of water and drink it with breakfast.

One bottle lasts for several months, and I keep a smaller travel bottle with me whenever I’m away from home. It’s one of the simplest, most cost-effective wellness habits I’ve maintained.

According to research published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, molecular iodine is more gentle on the stomach and thyroid than some other forms like potassium iodide, making it suitable for long-term use.

I use and recommend iodine from Activation Products. In my experience, it’s one of the cleanest and most reliable iodine supplements available.

My Iodine Recommendation

Why Iodine Matters So Much for Women Over 50

As women move into midlife, our bodies change in profound ways. Hormones that once supported regular cycles and energy levels begin to fluctuate or drop entirely. But here’s what many women don’t realize: iodine requirements can shift, too.

Iodine supports several critical systems that often get out of balance after 50:

• Thyroid Health: Iodine is a key component of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which regulate metabolism, energy, and temperature control. Deficiency can lead to fatigue, weight gain, and sluggishness.
• Breast Health: Iodine helps regulate estrogen receptors in breast tissue, preventing tenderness and fibrocystic changes.
• Cognitive Function: Studies suggest iodine may support brain clarity and memory by maintaining optimal thyroid activity.
• Hormonal Balance: By supporting the thyroid and detoxification pathways, iodine helps keep estrogen and progesterone in balance, especially important after menopause.

A 2022 study found that iodine deficiency is becoming more common, even in developed countries, due to changes in diet and reduced use of iodized salt. Women over 50 are particularly at risk because they often reduce salt intake for heart health and may unknowingly lower their iodine levels in the process.

The Subtle Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency

The body doesn’t always send clear warning signs when iodine is low. Instead, symptoms can look like normal aging or stress. Here are some that may indicate deficiency:

• Persistent fatigue
• Hair thinning or shedding
• Dry skin or brittle nails
• Cold hands and feet
• Brain fog or forgetfulness
• Breast tenderness or lumps

If these sound familiar, it’s worth checking your iodine status with your healthcare provider. Simple urine or blood tests can reveal whether your levels are within a healthy range.

The Science Behind Iodine and Hormones

Iodine is more than just a thyroid nutrient, it’s a hormone regulator. It influences how the body uses estrogen and progesterone and helps prevent the overgrowth of estrogen-sensitive tissues, such as those in the breasts and uterus.

According to the research, iodine acts as an antioxidant in breast tissue, protecting cells from oxidative stress and supporting healthy cellular repair. This explains why so many women, including myself, notice improvements in breast tenderness, mood, and energy after restoring iodine intake.

Another study in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment found that iodine supplementation reduced abnormal cell growth in breast tissue, suggesting a protective role that goes beyond symptom relief.

Common Myths About Iodine

Myth 1: Iodine is only for the thyroid.

Truth: While the thyroid uses the most iodine, breast tissue, skin, and even the brain all require it for proper function.

Myth 2: You can get enough iodine from iodized salt.

Truth: Most table salt is processed and often doesn’t contain sufficient iodine. Plus, many people have reduced salt intake due to blood pressure concerns, which limits iodine exposure even further.

Myth 3: Iodine causes thyroid problems.

Truth: When taken in safe amounts and in the right form, iodine supports thyroid health. Issues typically arise only from extreme overdosing or combining iodine with unbalanced thyroid medications without supervision.

How to Choose a Safe Iodine Supplement

If you’re thinking of trying iodine, it’s important to do it wisely:

1. Start Low: Begin with a small daily dose (150–300 mcg) and increase gradually if needed.
2. Choose the Right Form: Molecular iodine or a balanced iodine/iodide blend tends to be well tolerated.
3. Monitor Your Body: If you notice changes in mood, energy, or breast comfort, note them down. Your body often tells you what it needs.
4. Talk to Your Doctor: Especially if you’re on thyroid medication or have existing thyroid issues.

What I Learned From This Experience

After all these years, giving up iodine was one of the best experiments I’ve ever done. Not only did it feel good, but it also made me realise the true interconnectedness of our bodies.

I realised that many of the symptoms we think are “just getting older” could actually be our body’s quiet way of telling us it needs nutrients we haven’t been giving it.

Iodine provided the missing pieces for me. Not only is it noticeable, but it makes a huge difference right away, and it changes your life.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a woman over 50 struggling with breast tenderness, thinning hair, or unexplained fatigue, it might not just be menopause. Iodine could be a part of the picture. My experience doesn’t replace medical advice, but it underscores one truth: our bodies remember what helps them heal.

I stopped taking iodine once and found out the hard way that I can’t go back to it. After a few days of taking it again, my symptoms went away. It’s not a coincidence. That is science.

Iodine is very important for my health in general, but stopping it really showed me how important it is for my thyroid. For women over 50, it’s not about trying to look younger; it’s about taking care of their bodies so they can naturally thrive. Sometimes, all you need to do is remember what used to work and give your body what it’s been missing.

Talk to your doctor about iodine if you’ve tried everything else and still feel like something is missing. Small nutrients can make a big difference sometimes.

Frequently Asked Questions

This article is for educational purposes and reflects my personal experience and research. If you have a diagnosed thyroid condition, consult your healthcare professional before supplementing.