The Thymus, IODINE and Immunity

The thymus, as well as many immune cells, have the ability to capture and metabolize iodine to support the innate immune system in fighting viral and bacterial infections.

Iodine alters the transcriptional immune signature of human peripheral blood immune cells, which can induce stronger cytokine and chemokine responses.

Iodine can also work with myeloperoxidase from white cells to inactivate bacteria. For example, iodine has been reported to inhibit vacuolation toxin activity of Helicobacter pylori.

Studies reveal the novel network between human immune cells and thyroid-related molecules and highlight the importance of iodine in regulating the function of human immune cells.

Thyroid hormones directly affect multiple branches of the immune system by enhancing dendritic cell antitumor immunity, B cell differentiation, phagocytosis, natural killer cytotoxicity, inducing higher expression of cytokines, and increasing the frequency of T cell memory cells. The effects of thyroid hormones on immune cells are due in-part through activation of protein kinase C signaling. Furthermore, immune cells are able to produce TSH and utilize TSH to increase T3 levels

Iodine was and is sometimes used therapeutically in various pathologies, where the immune mechanism is known to play a dominant role.

Take salt with iodine

Please watch 0:00 - 1:30 below

Cofactors in picture below. Selenium is the most important cofactor.