Hyperthyreosis and hypothyreosis after use of iodine-containing natural products and iodine-containing vitamin and mineral supplements
Jørgensen, H.; Svindland, O.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 111(26): 3153-3155
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 1948937 Document Number: 385662
Excess iodine is known to affect thyroid function, and in predisposed individuals even a moderately increased iodine intake may cause hypothyreosis or hyperthyreosis. In our material, one patient developed hypothyreosis and five patients hyperthyreosis after using commercial health products containing iodine. The daily intake of iodine was 100-300 micrograms for a period of four months to four years. Except for a positive antibody titer to microsomal thyroid-antigen no obvious predisposing conditions were present. The thyroid function normalized two to three months after withdrawal of the iodine product. The hyperthyroid patients accounted for about 5% of all cases of hyperthyrosis seen in our hospitals during the period in question (one and a half years). It is concluded that "health products", containing iodine should be subjected to public control and the iodine content regulated. This would mean changing the present practice of no such regulation.