Iodine |
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Basic Information
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? No
Prescription required? Yes, for strengths over 130mg
NATURAL SOURCES
Cod
Cod-liver oil
Haddock
Herring
Lobster
Oysters
Salmon, canned
Salt, table (iodized) and sea
Seaweed
Shrimp
Sunflower seeds
REASONS TO USE
Promotes normal function of thyroid gland.
Promotes normal cell function.
Shrinks thyroid prior to thyroid surgery.
Tests thyroid function before and after administration of a
radioactive form of iodine.
Keeps skin, hair, nails healthy.
Protects thyroid gland after accidental exposure to radiation.
Prevents goiter.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Cures anemia.
Treats angina pectoris.
Treats arteriosclerosis.
Treats arthritis.
Treats erythema nodosum.
Restores vigor.
Solves hair problems.
Treats sporotrichosis infection of skin.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
Anyone who lives in a region where the soil is deficient in
iodine. Deficiency is usually treated by using iodized table
salt.
People who eat large amounts of food that can cause thyroid
goiter, such as spinach, lettuce, turnips, beets, rutabagas,
kale.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Childhood deficiencies:
Depressed growth
Delayed sexual development
Mental retardation
Deafness
Adult deficiencies:
Goiter
Symptoms of low-thyroid-hormone level (children and adults):
Listlessness
Sluggish behavior
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Baldness
Tiredness
Chest pain
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
Tests may indicate lower-than-normal thyroid function,
implying a deficiency of iodine in some cases
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
| Age |
RDA |
| 0-6 months |
40mcg |
| 6-12 months |
50mcg |
| 1-3 years |
70mcg |
| 4-6 years |
90mcg |
| 7-10 years |
120mcg |
| 11+ years |
150mcg |
| Pregnant |
+25mcg |
| Lactating |
+50mcg |
What this mineral does:
Iodine is an integral part of the thyroid hormones
tetraiodothyronine (thyroxin) and triiodothyronine.
Miscellaneous information:
Iodated salt and use of iodophores as antiseptics by the dairy
industry are the main source of iodine in most diets.
It is safe to consume 100-300mcg/day.
Available as:
Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
Oral solution: Dilute in at least 1/2 glass water or other
liquid. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
Enteric-coated tablets are NOT RECOMMENDED. They may
cause obstruction, bleeding, perforation of small bowel.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Have elevated serum potassium (determined by laboratory
study).
Have myotonia congenita.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Hyperthyroidism.
Kidney disease.
Taken or are taking amiloride, antithyroid medications,
lithium, spironolactone, triamterene.
Over age 55:
No special considerations.
Pregnancy:
If too much iodine is consumed during pregnancy, the infant
may have thyroid enlargement, hypothyroidism or cretinism
(dwarfism and mental deficiency).
Breast-feeding:
Avoid supplements while nursing.
Iodine in milk can cause skin rash and suppression of normal
thyroid function in infant.
Don't take megadoses.
Effect on lab tests:
May cause false elevation in all thyroid-function studies.
Interferes with test for naturally occurring steroids in
urine.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of mineral.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Irregular heartbeat, confusion, swollen neck or throat, bloody
or black, tarry stools.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult
doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section
below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire
bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest
Poison Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| Abdominal pain |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Burning in mouth or throat |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Diarrhea |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Fever |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Headache |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Heavy legs |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Increased salivation |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Metallic taste |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
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convenient. |
| Nausea |
Continue. Tell doctor at next |
|
visit. |
| Numbness, tingling or pain in |
Discontinue. Call doctor |
| hands or feet |
immediately. |
| Swelling of salivary gland |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| Skin rash |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Sore teeth or gums |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Tiredness or weakness |
Discontinue. Call doctor |
|
immediately. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Lithium carbonate for manic- |
Produces abnormally low |
| depressive illness |
thyroid activity. People |
|
taking lithium carbonate |
|
should avoid iodine, which |
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suppresses the thyroid gland. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
None known
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