Iodine - NutraPedia

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Iodine: Uses, Effectiveness, Benefits, and Considerations

1) Conditions Studied for Iodine Treatment

Iodine has been studied for various health conditions, including:

  • Prevention of iodine deficiency disorders
  • Thyroid function regulation
  • Preoperative management of hyperthyroidism
  • Fibrocystic breast changes
  • Wound healing and infection prevention (as a topical antiseptic)
  • Radiation emergency (protecting the thyroid from radioactive iodine)

2) Effectiveness of Iodine in Treating Conditions

Iodine is effective in:

  • Preventing and treating iodine deficiency and related disorders, such as goiter
  • Managing hyperthyroidism when used preoperatively
  • Protecting the thyroid gland during radiation emergencies

The effectiveness of iodine in treating fibrocystic breast changes and wound healing remains inconclusive and requires more research.

3) Health Benefits of Iodine

  • Essential for the production of thyroid hormones
  • Supports normal cognitive function
  • Contributes to healthy skin
  • Crucial during pregnancy for fetal development
  • May play a role in immune response

4) Potential Downsides of Iodine

Although iodine is essential, excessive intake can lead to negative effects, such as:

  • Thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism)
  • Iodine-induced goiter
  • Autoimmune thyroid disease
  • Stomach irritation when used in high concentrations for water purification
  • Allergic reactions (rare)

5) Iodine with Genetic Variations

Specific genetic variations can influence how the body utilizes iodine, but currently, there is limited research on the relationship between genetic variations and iodine's benefits or harms. Some individuals may have genetic predispositions affecting thyroid function, which could alter their iodine requirements or response. Consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended for those with known thyroid disorders or genetic concerns.

Iodine in Seaweed and Dietary Supplements

A study conducted in Ecuador explored the impact of seaweed consumption on metabolic syndrome, finding that daily intake of 4 to 6 grams may reduce its prevalence. Additionally, research on British foods showed that iodine levels have decreased over time, with seaweed and kelp-based supplements containing high levels of iodine. Seaweed consumption in Japan contributes to a higher average daily intake of iodine at 1.2 milligrams, which exceeds the safe upper limit of 1100 micrograms/day.

Iodine's Role in Thyroid Function

Research indicates that seaweed supplementation can significantly increase urinary iodine concentration and serum TSH levels, indicating an impact on thyroid function. Moreover, the bioavailability of iodine from seaweed like Gracilaria verrucosa is high and could serve as a natural alternative for iodizing salt.

Excessive Iodine Intake and Newborn Health

High iodine intake by mothers during pregnancy can lead to thyroid issues in infants, such as transient hypothyroidism or persistent hyperthyrotropinemia. Excessive maternal iodine consumption may contribute to ongoing thyroid problems in their children.

Iodine Deficiency and Global Health

Iodine deficiency affects approximately 2 billion people globally and can lead to disorders like impaired growth and neurodevelopment. Universal salt iodization is recommended as a cost-effective solution to prevent iodine deficiency at the population level.

Iodine Content Variability in Foods and Supplements

Various studies have shown that iodine levels vary significantly in different foods and dietary supplements. In particular, vegetarians and vegans may be at a higher risk of iodine deficiency due to lower iodine content in plant-based foods compared to animal products.

Iodine Supplementation in Pregnancy and Lactation

To ensure normal brain development of the fetus, adequate iodine intake during pregnancy and lactation is crucial. The American Thyroid Association recommends a daily supplement of 150 micrograms of iodine for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Iodine and Environmental Factors

Environmental anions like perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate can inhibit iodide uptake by the sodium iodide symporter, affecting thyroid function. Additionally, the iodine content in human milk is responsive to dietary iodine and environmental factors like selenium intake and exposure to pollutants.

Excess Iodine and Thyroid Health

Excess iodine intake can lead to conditions such as iodine-induced hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. It is important for healthcare providers to be aware of patients' use of iodine-containing products and herbal medicines that may affect thyroid function.

References:


  1. Could dietary seaweed reverse the metabolic syndrome?
  2. Iodine in British foods and diets
  3. The average of dietary iodine intake due to the ingestion of seaweeds is 1.2 mg/day in Japan
  4. Variability of iodine content in common commercially available edible seaweeds
  5. Seaweed and soy: companion foods in Asian cuisine and their effects on thyroid function in American women
  6. Bioavailability of seaweed iodine in human beings
  7. Transient hypothyroidism or persistent hyperthyrotropinemia in neonates born to mothers with excessive iodine intake
  8. The antithyroid effect of certain foods in man as determined with radioactive iodine
  9. Iodine deficiency
  10. Inactivation of thyroid peroxidase by soy isoflavones, in vitro and in vivo
  11. Bromine and iodine in 1997 UK total diet study samples
  12. [Transient thyrotoxicosis induced by Japanese kombu]
  13. Association between dietary iodine intake and prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in the coastal regions of Japan
  14. "Endemic coast goitre" in Hokkaido, Japan
  15. Studies of hypothyroidism in patients with high iodine intake
  16. Iodine induced thyrotoxicosis following povidine-iodine dressings: a case report
  17. Iodine deficiency, iodine content of salt and knowledge of iodine supplementation in the Dominican Republic
  18. Household salt iodine content estimation with the use of rapid test kits and iodometric titration methods
  19. Cognitive and motor functions of iodine-deficient but euthyroid children in Bangladesh do not benefit from iodized poppy seed oil (Lipiodol)
  20. Dietary reference intakes: vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc
  21. Iodine in human milk: perspectives for infant health
  22. Iodine supplementation for pregnancy and lactation-United States and Canada: recommendations of the American Thyroid Association
  23. Breast-milk iodine concentration declines over the first 6 mo postpartum in iodine-deficient women
  24. Thyroid function in chronic excess iodide ingestion: comparison of thyroidal absolute iodine uptake and degradation of thyroxine in euthyroid Japanese subjects
  25. Nutrition trends in Japan
  26. Certified reference material for analytical quality assurance of minor and trace elements in food and related matrixes based on a typical Japanese diet: interlaboratory study
  27. Frequency of food intake and estimated nutrient intake among men and women: the JACC Study
  28. Eliminating iodine deficiency disorders--the role of the International Council in the global partnership
  29. [Physiopathology of iodine: current interest of its measurement in biological fluids]
  30. Iodine deficiency as a cause of brain damage
  31. Intelligence quotient and iodine intake: a cross-sectional study in children
  32. The iodine deficiency disorders: nature, pathogenesis and epidemiology
  33. Neurological damage to the fetus resulting from severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy
  34. Iodine deficiency diseases in Switzerland one hundred years after Theodor Kocher's survey: a historical review with some new goitre prevalence data
  35. Youth of West Cameroon are at high risk of developing IDD due to low dietary iodine and high dietary thiocyanate
  36. The energy and nutrient intakes of different types of vegetarian: a case for supplements?
  37. Increased risk of iodine deficiency with vegetarian nutrition
  38. Iodine deficiency in vegetarians and vegans
  39. Patients with severe bowel malabsorption do not have changes in iodine status
  40. Iodine-rich drinking water of natural origin in China
  41. Endemic goitre in central China caused by excessive iodine intake
  42. High thyroid volume in children with excess dietary iodine intakes
  43. Iodine nutrition in the United States. Trends and public health implications: iodine excretion data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys I and III (1971-1974 and 1988-1994)
  44. Iodine intakes of 100-300 μg/d do not modify thyroid function and have modest anti-inflammatory effects
  45. The effect of small increases in dietary iodine on thyroid function in euthyroid subjects
  46. Effects of low dose oral iodide supplementation on thyroid function in normal men
  47. Effect of low dose iodide supplementation on thyroid function in potentially susceptible subjects: are dietary iodide levels in Britain acceptable?
  48. Augmentation of thyrotropin responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone following small decreases in serum thyroid hormone concentrations
  49. Serum thyrotropin and thyroid hormone levels in humans receiving chronic potassium iodide
  50. Serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 levels in severe iodine deficiency
  51. Effects of iodine deficiency on insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 levels and height attainment in malnourished children
  52. Mild iodine deficiency is associated with elevated hearing thresholds in children in Benin
  53. Neurological damage to the fetus resulting from severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy
  54. A controlled trial of iodinated oil for the prevention of endemic cretinism: a long-term follow-up
  55. Administration of iodized oil during pregnancy: a summary of the published evidence
  56. Iodine deficiency in northern Paris area: impact on fetal thyroid mensuration
  57. Iodine nutrition and breast feeding
  58. Relative potencies and additivity of perchlorate, thiocyanate, nitrate, and iodide on the inhibition of radioactive iodide uptake by the human sodium iodide symporter
  59. Thyroid iodine transport
  60. The sodium/iodide Symporter (NIS): characterization, regulation, and medical significance
  61. Goitre - causes, investigation and management
  62. Effect of iodine supplementation on goiter prevalence among the pediatric population in a severely iodine deficient area
  63. More than a decade of iodine prophylaxis is needed to eradicate goiter among school age children in a moderately iodine-deficient region
  64. Plasma inorganic iodide as a homeostatic regulator of thyroid function
  65. The temporary nature of the inhibitory action of excess iodine on organic iodine synthesis in the normal thyroid
  66. CHANGES IN THYROIDAL FUNCTION DURING ADAPTATION TO LARGE DOSES OF IODIDE
  67. The effect of excessive iodine on the thyroid of the rat
  68. Iodide-induced thyrotoxicosis
  69. Iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis after ingestion of kelp-containing tea
  70. Iodine-Induced hypothyroidism
  71. High iodine content of Korean seaweed soup: a health risk for lactating women and their infants?
  72. Thyrotoxicosis induced by topical iodine application


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