Most people don’t realise this, but fluoride was originally used to suppress thyroid function in people with overactive thyroid. So, if your thyroid is already underactive, using fluoride toothpastes or tap water might not be your best strategy -  you see the problem, right?

Fluoride competes with iodine and stops your thyroid from absorbing what it needs. The result? More thyroid dysfunction, more tiredness, and more unwanted symptoms.

So, where do most of us get fluoride from?

• Tap water
• Toothpaste

The Hidden Iodine Blocker: Bromine

Another sneaky iodine blocker is bromine. It’s one of those hidden toxins that most people don’t even know they’re exposed to.

Did you know bromine was originally used in pesticides and flame retardants before it started sneaking into our food supply? Crazy, right?

When your body is overloaded with bromine, it pushes iodine out, leaving your thyroid struggling to function. The result?

• More tiredness
• Brain fog
• Feeling cold all the time
• Stubborn weight gain

Where Is Bromine Hiding?

Bromine is found in:

• Some commercially baked goods (like breads and pastries made with brominated flour)
• Certain fizzy drinks and sports drinks (that contain brominated vegetable oil)
• Pesticides and flame retardants in furniture, mattresses, and even some clothing

What About the UK?

If you’re in the UK, there’s good news! Bromated flour was banned in 1990, brominated vegetable oil in 1970, and bromine flame retardants were banned in March 2019.

However, if you have older furniture or imported food, you might still be exposed.

How to Reduce Fluoride & Bromine Exposure for Better Thyroid Health

f you’re experiencing thyroid-related fatigue, brain fog, or weight gain, here are some simple ways to protect your thyroid:

• Use fluoride-free toothpaste – I’ve listed my top picks below!
• Filter your tap water to remove fluoride
• Support your thyroid naturally with iodine-rich foods (but in moderation!)
• Choose organic or homemade baked goods
• Buy UK-made baked goods (just double-check that they don’t contain potassium bromate)
• Avoid fizzy drinks with brominated vegetable oil (BVO)
• Look for non-toxic household items whenever possible

Best Fluoride-Free Toothpaste for Thyroid Health

Ready to ditch fluoride? Here are my top fluoride- and gluten-free toothpaste options I love:

• Auromere Toothpaste – Clay and minerals, no fluoride, no nasties
• RiseWell Toothpaste (my fave!) – Uses hydroxyapatite, which naturally strengthens teeth
• Dr. Bronner’s All-One Toothpaste – Clean ingredients, no fluoride, and great flavours
• Boka & Wellnesse Toothpaste – Both are fantastic hydroxyapatite-based alternatives

Final Thoughts on Fluoride and Thyroid Health

To support your thyroid naturally, start with these small but powerful swaps:

✅ Eat iodine-rich foods (but be mindful if you have Hashimoto’s)
✅ Filter out fluoride from your drinking water
✅ Avoid bromine where possible
✅ Switch to a fluoride-free toothpaste

These little tweaks can make a big difference in your energy, metabolism, and overall health.

Tell me in the comments, will you be switching to a fluoride-free toothpaste? Which one are you excited to try first?

References

1. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), 2024. Fluoride and thyroid health: Examining the connection. Available at: https://www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients/volume-8-issue-6/vol-8-issue-6-p-3  [Accessed 4 February 2025].
2. National Library of Medicine (NLM), 2023. Fluoride interference with iodine uptake in thyroid cells. Journal of Environmental Health, [online] Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11003687 [Accessed 4 February 2025].
3. National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2023. Bromine exposure and its effects on thyroid function. Journal of Endocrine Disorders, [online] Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15119938 [Accessed 4 February 2025].EatingWell, 2024. FDA bans brominated vegetable oil due to health concerns. EatingWell Magazine, [online] Available at: https://www.eatingwell.com/fda-bans-brominated-vegetable-oil-8675527 [Accessed 4 February 2025].
4. Schlagenhauf, U., Kunzelmann, K., Hannig, C., May, T.W., Hösl, H. and Probstmeier, R., 2021. Impact of a toothpaste with microcrystalline hydroxyapatite on the prevention of caries: a randomized clinical trial. Scientific Reports, 11(1), p. 23517. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81112-y [Accessed 4 February 2025].