Consequences of excess iodine

[helvella]

Iodine is an interesting and controversial element.

Please do not think that this is the last word - when it comes to iodine, there never will be a last word, I feel sure!

Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2013 Dec 17. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2013.251. [Epub ahead of print]

Consequences of excess iodine.

Leung AM, Braverman LE.

Author information

Abstract

Iodine is a micronutrient that is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. The primary source of iodine is the diet via consumption of foods that have been fortified with iodine, including salt, dairy products and bread, or that are naturally abundant in the micronutrient, such as seafood. Recommended daily iodine intake is 150 µg in adults who are not pregnant or lactating. Ingestion of iodine or exposure above this threshold is generally well-tolerated. However, in certain susceptible individuals, including those with pre-existing thyroid disease, the elderly, fetuses and neonates, or patients with other risk factors, the risk of developing iodine-induced thyroid dysfunction might be increased. Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism as a result of supraphysiologic iodine exposure might be either subclinical or overt, and the source of the excess iodine might not be readily apparent.

PMID: 24342882 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/243...

Link to Lewis E Braverman:

bumc.bu.edu/medicine/facult...

Rod

[Hidden]

Thanks for posting!

xx

[serenfach]

I was given a massive dose of iodine for a contrast medium for a kidney scan. I reacted badly to this, and developed Hashis soon afterwards. I was highly allergic to shellfish and already had vitiligo, two signs that I should have been given another contrast medium. The consultant said "oh well, no harm done" when I was diagnosed. I tried to get the hospital to have a questionnaire set up for people having this, but failed.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to serenfach]

Well done for trying. If everyone tries to improve the system, eventually something does sometimes get a bit better.