Iodine

Iodine

• What Is It?

  • Iodine is a mineral found in some foods. It is critical for the formation of thyroid hormone [53].

• How Does It Work in the Body?

  • Iodine is not readily made in the human body and must be obtained through diet. Iodine in the blood is transported into the follicular cell along with sodium by a sodium-iodine symporter pump. Once in follicular cells, it binds with tyrosine and thyroglobulin and later iodized and coupled to form thyroid hormone.

• What Is It Used for?

  • Taking iodine supplements by mouth, including iodized salt, is effective for preventing and treating iodine deficiency, treating an overactive thyroid gland, and/or preventing thyroid cancer secondary to radiation.

• Precautions/Side Effects:

  • High levels of iodine can cause some of the same symptoms as iodine deficiency, including goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland).  

    
    

  • High iodine intakes can also cause thyroid gland inflammation and thyroid cancer.

  • Getting a very large dose of iodine (e.g., several grams) can cause burning of the mouth, throat, and stomach; fever; stomach pain; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; weak pulse; and coma.

• Evidence for and Against:

  • There is insufficient evidence to support current recommendations for iodine supplementation in pregnancy in areas of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency. Well-designed randomized control trials, with child cognitive outcomes, are needed in pregnant women who are moderately deficient in iodine.

  • Thyroid hormone receptors have been identified and characterized in placental and embryonic tissues, allowing us to elucidate the maternal-fetal transfer of thyroid hormones. Experimental studies have demonstrated that the architecture of the cerebral cortex can be irreversibly disturbed in iodine deficiency causing abnormal neuron migratory patterns associated with cognitive impairment in children.  

    
    

• Dosage:

  • The amount of iodine you need each day depends on your age. Average daily recommended amounts are listed below in micrograms(mcg).

• Interactions:

  • Iodine supplements might interact with anti-thyroid medications such as methimazole, used to treat hyperthyroidism. The two medications combined may potentiate hypothyroid effects.

  • Taking potassium iodide with medicines for high blood pressure (e.g., ACE inhibitors) or with potassium-sparing diuretics could raise the amount of potassium in your blood to an unsafe level.