Iodine plays an important role in supporting the proper function of your thyroid gland. While too much iodine can cause hyperthyroidism, an iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism. Excessive sweating is a common symptom of an overactive thyroid rather than an iodine deficiency. Talk to your doctor before taking iodine to treat a medical condition, including a thyroid gland disorder.
Iodine
Your body must obtain iodine from outside sources, since it cannot manufacture it on its own. A balanced diet usually provides adequate amounts of iodine for most people. An iodine deficiency, although rare for people living in the United States, can cause hypothyroidism, or the production of insufficient amounts of thyroid hormones. Consuming excessive amounts of iodine, either through your diet or supplements, is one of the main risk factors in the development of hyperthyroidism, a disease that occurs when your thyroid gland releases an excessive amount of hormones.
Hyperthyroidism
An overactive thyroid causes various symptoms, including an increase in sweating. Other common symptoms you include frequent bowel movements, difficulty concentrating, weight loss, an intolerance to heat, nervousness, fatigue and an increase in appetite. The increased sweating may make your skin feel clammy. You may also feel itchy all over and experience skin flushing or blushing.
Excessive Sweating
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive and unpredictable sweating. This type of sweating may occur while you are resting and during cool temperatures. Although primary hyperhidrosis may occur for no apparent reason or because of hereditary factors, secondary hyperhidrosis can occur as the result of hyperthyroidism, the condition that results from too much iodine rather than an iodine deficiency. Your doctor may use a starch-iodine test or a paper test to measure the extent of sweating and help determine the underlying cause of hyperhidrosis.
Considerations
Avoid taking iodine supplements or eating foods high in iodine, such as kelp, to increase the production of thyroid hormones, especially if you already sweat too much or experience other symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Although too much iodine can lead to excessive sweating, other conditions may also cause this disorder. Low blood sugar levels and disorders of your nervous system may lead to an increase in sweat production. Depending on the underlying cause of hyperhidrosis, your doctor may prescribe beta-blockers or recommend treatments that help reduce sweating, such as methenamine or aluminum chloride solutions.
