Iodine

Iodine is produced by the body and is essential for normal growth and development. Seventy to eighty percent of iodine is found in the thyroid gland in the neck. Thyroid hormones control how iodine moves throughout the body, which affects weight and energy. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels) caused by iodine deficiency in adults results in reduced mental function, sluggishness, and lethargy. In infants and children, it causes retardation of physical and mental development. Severe hypothyroidism may also cause an extremely enlarged thyroid gland, called a goiter. Iodine deficiency is rare in the United States due to the widespread addition of iodine to salt. In developing countries, however, more than one billion people are estimated to be at risk for iodine deficiency disorders.

Uses

Iodine offers a variety of potential therapeutic uses, primarily in the prevention and treatment of hypothyroidism caused by iodine deficiency.

Your health care provider may recommend taking iodine supplements if you have other health conditions, including the following.

• Fibrocystic breast disease. In clinical studies, patients treated with molecular iodine experienced an improvement in symptoms.
• Breast cancer. There is some evidence to suggest that iodine may be an important element for normal breast growth and development.
• Vaginitis. Iodine, used typically as a douche, has been shown to be effective at treating inflammation of vaginal tissues.
• Wounds. Iodine is commonly used as a topical antiseptic.

Dietary Sources

Iodized salt is the primary dietary source of iodine. Other foods containing this nutrient include the following.

• Fresh saltwater shellfish and seafood
• Foods grown in iodine-rich soil
• Milk (depending on the iodine in the cow's diet)
• Iodized bread

Other Forms

Sodium iodide (iodine) is available as part of a multivitamin/mineral combination or in injectable form. Iodine is also available as a topical treatment for wounds.

How to Take It

People who are on a strict salt-free diet are most likely to be in need of an iodine supplement. Recommended doses of sodium iodide (iodine) vary depending on age. The following list provides general guidelines.

Infants:

• 0 to 6 months: 40 mcg
• 6 to 12 months: 50 mcg

Children:

• 1 to 3 years: 70 mcg
• 4 to 6 years: 90 mcg
• 7 to 10 years: 120 mcg

Adolescents and adults:

• 11+ years: 150 mcg
• Pregnant women: 175 mcg
• Breast-feeding women: 200 mcg

Precautions

Too much iodine can result in hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, goiter, autoimmune disease (Hashimoto and Graves'), increased incidence of certain cancers, and thyrotoxicosis (syndrome due to excessive amount of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream). It may be harmful to take more iodine than is typically consumed per day (160 to 600 mcg) from table salt, and daily intake of 2,000 mcg iodine may be toxic. Routine thyroid function tests should be conducted on infants treated with topical antiseptic iodine. If you have thyroid disease, kidney disease, or tuberculosis, check with your health care provider before taking sodium iodide supplements.

Possible Interactions

No harmful drug interactions have been reported.

Supporting Research

Barakat M, et al. Hypothyroidism secondary to topical iodine treatment in infants with spina bifida. Acta Paediatr. Jul 1994; 83(7):741-743.

Eskin BA. Iodine and mammary cancer. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1977; 91:293-304.

Estes NC. Mastodynia due to fibrocystic disease of the breast controlled with thyroid hormone. A J Surg. Dec 1981; 142:764-766.

Ghent WR, et al. Iodine replacement in fibrocystic disease of the breast. Can J Surg. Oct 1993; 36:453-460.

Henzen C, et al. Iodine-induced hyperthyroidism (iodine-induced Basedow's disease): a currrent disease picture. Schweiz Med Wochenschr. May 1, 1999; 129(17):658-664.

Koutras DA. Control of efficiency and results, and adverse effects of excess iodine administration on thyroid function. Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 1996; 57(6):463-469.

Minelli R, et al. Effects of excess iodine administration on thyroid function in euthyroid patients with a previous episode of thyroid dysfunction induced by interferon-alpha treatment. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). Sep, 1997; 47(3):357-361.

Murray M, Pizzorno J. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. 2^nd ed. Rocklin: Prima Publishing; 1998: 455-458, 558-563, 818-825.

Obaidullah M. A study to determine the effect of Betadine Vaginal Cleansing Kit on cervical flora after insertion of an intra-uterine contraceptive device. J Int Med Res. 1981; 9(3):161-164.

Orten JM, Neuhaus OW. Human Biochemistry. 10^th ed. St. Louis: The C.V. Mosby Company; 1982: 721-723.

Schlienger JL, et al. Iodine and thyroid function. Rev Med Interne. 1997; 18(9):709-716.

Shils M, Olson J, Shike M, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. Vol. 1. 8^th ed. Media: Williams & Wilkins; 1994: 252-263.

Somer E. The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals. New York: New York: HarperCollins Publishers; 1992: 103-105.

Yu H, Tak-Yin M. The efficacy of povidone-iodine pessaries in a short, low-dose treatment regime on candidal, trichomonal and non-specific vaginitis. Postgrad Med J. 1993; 69 (Suppl 3):S58-S61.

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