Observations in iodine exchange in thermal therapy with salsobromoiodic water
Bacolla, A.; Giraudi, G.; Lorenzini, P.; Varacca, G.; Costa, A.
Panminerva Medica 25(4): 241-247
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-0808 PMID: 6672717 Document Number: 204296
A quantitative evaluation of the I taken in with the thermal waters from Salsomaggiore during therapeutic bathing inhalation (dry and damp spray) and ingestion was attempted in humans. The metabolic parameters obtained through a 131I inhalation test and a 125I ingestion test were applied to 127I. Of the I inhaled by aerosol, 45% is exhaled; after 24 h 2% is in the serum and in the extrathyroid area of I- distribution, 16% in the thyroid and 16% in the urine. If the amount of I exhaled is added to that found in the metabolic iodine cycle, .apprx. 21% of the inhaled I is still missing. This amount is trapped in the respiratory tract and is only released very gradually. At the end of the 24 h, in the metabolic I cycle only 34% of inhaled I but 87% of that ingested is found. The level of I in the serum reached in thermal therapeutic practice never stays at a level which might alter the functioning of a normal thyroid. The amount of inhaled I excreted with the urine is usually eliminated during the first excretions. The I taken in during bathing in the thermal pools mainly comes from I released from the water through the addition of hypochlorites. This is then inhaled through breathing the air just above the water.