Do iodine supplements really help with hypothyroidism?

No: Not really, here in the US, our food chain is adequately enriched with iodine. There is a potential risk if over exposure to iodine as epidemiological studies link high iodine intake to papillary thyroid cancer, the commonest type of thyroid cancer.

Yes: As many people have started using sea salt, we have created a relative deficiency in iodine in many people. Random urinary iodine levels can be checked to determine levels, and I have found several patients to be deficient. Without enough iodine, your thyroid (and many other organs) cannot work effectively. Get checked. If you are low, start supplementing. Selenium is another important mineral.

Depends: I usually start by testing random (not 24 hr) urine iodine. If less than 100, then i advise iodine supplementation.