Written by Dr Craig Rose, PhD, founder of Doctor Seaweed.
Quick answer: Seaweed is the richest plant-based source of iodine, an essential nutrient for healthy thyroid function. Iodine deficiency and menopause share many symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, dry skin and low mood, so getting enough iodine helps support your thyroid through the transition. Seaweed supplements offer a convenient plant-based source for those who do not eat much fish or dairy. Always speak to your GP before starting supplements, especially with a thyroid condition.
Whether you're experiencing exhaustion and hot flushes or mood swings and brain fog, every menopause journey is unique. While no two women's experience of menopause will be the same, for many this is a challenging transition.
Fortunately, there are some ways menopausal symptoms can be managed naturally. Seaweed is a nutrient-rich macroalgae that provides a wealth of nutrients important at any life stage, but particularly during menopause. Dr Craig Rose PhD, aka Doctor Seaweed, explains why introducing seaweed supplements to your diet can offer essential nutrition and natural support during menopause.
What is iodine?
Iodine is an essential nutrient needed for thyroid function. As our body doesn't make iodine, it's important to get enough from diet or supplementation. A lack of it can lead to an underactive thyroid, which has a host of symptoms such as low energy, weight gain, low mood, sensitivity to cold and dry skin. Doctor Seaweed's Weed & Wonderful supplements offer a natural, plant-based source of essential iodine, making it easy to meet your recommended daily intake. It is thought that around 1.9 billion people globally are deficient, with up to 80% of women in the UK lacking this critical nutrient.
Iodine deficiency and the perimenopause and menopause share many overlapping symptoms, such as tiredness and fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, low libido and even low mood, and this overlap can lead to misdiagnosis. So it's important to make sure you're getting enough iodine during menopause to support healthy thyroid function. Not sure whether you might be deficient? Doctor Seaweed's Weed & Wonderful have created a 20-second nutritionist-led iodine quiz to help you find out based on your diet.
How do I supplement iodine?
Food sources of iodine include seafood, white fish and dairy; however, with the rise of plant-based diets, it can be hard to get enough each day. The only rich plant-based source of iodine is seaweed, which, admittedly, isn't the most appealing food outside of sushi. To make it easy and convenient, Doctor Seaweed has created a range of natural supplements centred on the nutritional wonder of seaweed. Each product contains organic Scottish seaweed with additional plant-based nutrients to help target specific wellness goals.
To help support women's health during menopause, Doctor Seaweed's award-winning Menopause+ supplement blends organic seaweed with additional vitamins and minerals to help combat menopausal symptoms naturally, from vitamin B6 for hormonal activity and vitamin B5 for brain support to vitamin D for bone and muscle maintenance.
Click here to find out more about Doctor Seaweed and the range, and use code DS15 for 15% off your first order, applicable to both one-off and subscription orders at checkout.
Frequently asked questions
How does iodine help during menopause?
Iodine supports healthy thyroid function. Because an underactive thyroid shares many symptoms with menopause, such as fatigue, weight gain, dry skin and low mood, getting enough iodine helps keep your thyroid working well during this transition.
Why is seaweed a good source of iodine?
Seaweed is the only rich plant-based source of iodine, making it especially useful for those on plant-based diets who may not get enough from fish or dairy.
How do I know if I'm iodine deficient?
Many UK women may not get enough iodine. Doctor Seaweed's short nutritionist-led iodine quiz can give you an indication based on your diet, but speak to your GP for testing if you're concerned.
Can supplements replace medical advice for menopause?
No. Supplements can support general wellbeing, but always speak to your GP or a menopause specialist about your symptoms and before starting any new supplement, especially if you have a thyroid condition.
Last updated: June 2026.
