Iodine preparations for the thyroid gland are medicines that are used as part of iodine therapy in the prevention or treatment of hypothyroid conditions (hormonal deficiency). The trace element takes part in the synthesis of iodine-containing hormones – triiodothyronine and thyroxine. With its lack, iodine deficiency occurs , which is fraught with hypothyroidism, nodular or diffuse goiter. Therefore, with insufficient intake of a trace element with food, iodine therapy is periodically carried out.  

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When medications with iodine are prescribed

Iodine (I) is an essential trace element for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland . In the body of an adult, its concentration reaches 20 g, more than 70% is accumulated in the thyroid gland. With his participation, the synthesis of two hormones occurs:  

• triiodothyronine (T3);
• thyroxine (T4).

The daily requirement for a trace element varies within 100-200 mcg. The maximum need is noted in puberty, during gestation and lactation.

Iodine enters the body mainly with food. Its deficiency leads to the activation of compensatory mechanisms necessary to maintain normal T3 and T4. Persistent iodine deficiency is dangerous by structural changes in the gland, impaired intrauterine development of the fetus.  

Iodine preparations are prescribed for the prevention and treatment of iodine deficiency gland pathologies:

• euthyroid goiter;
• hypothyroidism;
• myxedema;
• fading pregnancy;
• endemic cretinism. 

Thyroid hormones are 2/3 iodine. Therefore, its lack of iron leads to a decrease in the level of T3 and T4 in the body, which is fraught with serious endocrine disorders.

The most vulnerable categories of the population with a deficiency of thyroid hormones are pregnant women and young children. Hypothyroid conditions during gestation are dangerous:

• spontaneous abortion;
• congenital hypothyroidism;
• fetal malformations;
• neurological cretinism.

To maintain the functions of the thyroid gland, the synthesis of T3 and T4 in the required amount, and iodine preparations are prescribed.

Iodine preparations for the thyroid gland

Lack of iodine is fraught with changes in the work of not only the thyroid gland, but also the organs of the cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, reproductive and other systems. To normalize the level of thyroid hormones and reduce goiter, iodine-containing agents are used. The list of the best includes preparations of synthetic and plant origin, which contain a daily dose of a trace element – 100 or 200 μg.

The duration of treatment with iodine-containing drugs depends on the form of thyroid disease, the severity of symptoms, and the usual diet.

Yodomarin

1 tablet of the drug contains 100 or 200 mcg of potassium iodide. Under the influence of enzymes, it is converted into elemental iodine, which is necessary for the synthesis of T3 and T4. After oral administration, the components of Iodomarin are absorbed into the blood from the small intestine.

Appointed for:

• prevention of iodine deficiency ;
• maintaining thyroid function during pregnancy and lactation;  
• treatment of euthyroid goiter in children and adults.

It is undesirable to take Iodomarin for hypothyroidism, which was caused by autoimmune disruptions. The drug should be drunk with caution in case of kidney failure, since most of its components are excreted in the urine. 

Iod-Active

Iodcasein- based tablets differ in principle of action from other iodine-containing preparations. While taking the pill, iodine is cleaved from the milk protein by a liver enzyme. But this enzyme is produced only in case of iodine deficiency . If the gland functions normally, the iodine concentration is within the normal range, then the components of the Iodine-Active are excreted from the body unchanged. This eliminates the risk of overdose and gland diseases caused by an excess of a trace element.

Features of taking Iodine-Active:

• single dose for children from 14 years old and adults – 1-2 tablets;
• frequency of admission – 1 time per day.

The drug is taken after meals with 200 ml of water.

Iodine balance

Iodbalance is a drug, 1 tablet of which contains 100 mcg of iodine. It is used to prevent iodine deficiency and hypofunction of the gland in:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• exacerbations of goiter after surgery;
• endemic goiter in children. 

It is strongly not recommended to take Iodine Balance for people suffering from manifest hyperthyroidism or toxic diffuse goiter.

Dosage and features of the drug:

• single dose for children – ½ or 1 tablet;
• single dose for adults – 1-2 tablets;
• frequency of admission – 1 time per day;
• the duration of therapy is up to 4 weeks.

For some pathologies of the gland, lifelong drug intake is indicated in courses of 2-4 weeks.

Iodtirox

Not always preparations containing iodine normalize the size of the gland in euthyroid goiter. If iodine therapy is ineffective , it is supplemented with drugs based on synthetic substitutes for thyroid hormones. Iodtirox is a combined product that contains:

• levothyroxine sodium (analogue T3);
• potassium iodide.

The action of the drug is aimed at replenishing the deficiency of iodine and iodine-containing hormones. With the systematic intake of tablets, the gland’s working capacity is restored, and its hypertrophied areas are absorbed.

Features of taking Iodtirox :

• tablets are taken in the morning half an hour before meals;
• the initial dose of the drug is ½ tablet per day;
• maintenance dose for pregnant women – no more than 1 tablet per day.

The agent is not used for autonomic adenoma of the gland, thyrotoxicosis or Duhring’s disease.  

Microiodide

In terms of chemical composition, Microiodide does not differ from Iodomarin or Iodbalance . 1 tablet contains 0.1308 mg of potassium iodide, which corresponds to 100 μg of iodine. The drug is indicated for:

• non-toxic goiter;
• the risk of exacerbation of goiter after surgery;
• goiter therapy in newborns.

To stimulate the functions of the gland, take 1 or 2 tablets of Mikroyodide per day. For young patients with diagnosed euthyroid goiter, the daily dose is increased to 300-500 μg of iodine.

Yodostin

Iodostine prevents non-toxic goiter, normalizes the synthesis of T3 and T4 by the thyroid gland. 1 tablet contains 0.1308 mg of potassium iodide, which is oxidized to iodine in the body. The latter is involved in the production of diiodotyrosine , a precursor of iodine-containing hormones.

For the prevention of iodine deficiency conditions, Iodostin is taken for 2-4 weeks. On the recommendation of a doctor, the course is extended to 2-3 months.

Potassium Iodide

Tablets are prescribed when there is a threat of radioactive iodine entering the body. To prevent irradiation of the gland, you must:

• crush ½ tablet;
• mix with a small amount of sweet tea;
• drink once a day;
• continue therapy until the threat of radiation disappears.

The drug is used in the active therapy of iodine deficiency pathologies of the gland. It is prescribed to persons living in an area endemic for micronutrient deficiency. Treatment begins with doses that do not exceed the daily requirement for iodine. If the gland functions without interruption, its volume decreases within 5-6 months, provided that potassium iodide is taken regularly.

Antistrumin

Antistrumin is a structural analogue of Potassium iodide, Iodomarin , Iodbalance and Iodovital . Therefore, the principle of its action on the thyroid gland, indications and recommendations for use are the same. Endocrinologists do not advise to be treated with iodine-containing agents for:

• hypersensitivity to the components of the tablets;
• latent hyperthyroidism;
• diffuse autonomous foci in the gland;
• hemorrhagic diathesis;
• Dühring-Brock syndrome.

Simultaneous administration of Antistrumin and lithium preparations is dangerous for hypothyroidism and goiter. Because of the risk of hyperkalemia, doctors advise against combining the drug with potassium-sparing diuretics.

Herbal preparations with iodine

Iodine-containing herbal remedies do not contain synthetic additives. They do not put a strain on the liver or kidneys, therefore they are indicated for the prevention of hypothyroidism. The list of the best includes products based on medicinal plants and seafood.

Zobophyte

This natural preparation is used to normalize the functions, structure and volume of the thyroid gland. It includes: 

• rhizome of white cinquefoil; 
• gorse grass;
• leaves of common hazel;
• spirulina ;
• birch leaves;
• the root of the six- petal viper;
• marin root.

Zobophyte is not prescribed for the prevention or therapy of gland pathologies during pregnancy or lactation.

Adults take 1-2 tablets up to 2 times a day. The duration of therapy is 3 months. If necessary, repeat it after 8 weeks.

Hypothyroidism

The phytopreparation stabilizes the work of the gland in iodine deficiency states. Hypothyroidism is indicated for:

• toxic and nodular goiter;
• hypothyroidism;
• the risk of endemic goiter;
• overgrowth of the thyroid gland.

The tablets include:

• knotweed;
• White bloodroot;
• cinnamon rosehip;
• high elecampane;
• sugary kelp;
• red root.

A single dose is 2 capsules. They are taken after meals twice a day.

Iodine Endocrinol

A drug based on white cinquefoil and iodine restores the functioning of the gland, which leads to an increase in the level of T3 and T4 in the body. Iodine Endocrinol helps:

• speed up metabolism;
• cope with chronic fatigue;
• get rid of excess weight;
• improve memory;
• normalize the psycho-emotional state.

Adults take 1 capsule daily for 30 days. It is undesirable to take the medicine during lactation or gestation.

Kelp powder

Powder based on seaweed (kelp thallus) replenishes iodine deficiency. Appointed for:

• iodine deficiency states;
• mild Graves’ disease;
• atonic constipation;
• chronic enterocolitis.

Bioactive components of the drug have a laxative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-sclerotic and tonic effect. They affect the performance of the thyroid gland, general and local immunity.

Children from 12 years old and adults are prescribed ½-1 tsp. powder twice a day. Wash down with 100 ml of water. The course of therapy varies from 15 to 30 days.

Important Precautions Before Taking Iodine Products

Iodine-containing preparations are taken only on the recommendation of a doctor in the prescribed dosage. Excessive intake of iodine leads to overactive gland, excessive production of T3 and T4, which is dangerous for thyrotoxicosis. Its symptoms appear with a systematic intake of 1000 mcg of iodine per day.

Endocrinologists advise against using an alcoholic solution of iodine for the prevention of iodine deficiency conditions. Frequent application of an iodine mesh to the skin or treating the heels with a preparation leads to oversaturation with a trace element and:

• the formation of autonomous hormone-active nodes in the gland ; 
• the Wolf- Chaikov effect ;
• thyrotoxicosis .

Feeling of heat, tremors of the limbs, irritability, sweating, interruptions in the work of the heart are characteristic signs of thyroid disease caused by an excess of iodine.  

It is strictly forbidden to take an alcoholic solution of iodine inside! It is dangerous by poisoning and burns of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.

How else to support the thyroid gland with a lack of iodine

To normalize the work of the gland, they follow a diet. To fill the deficiency of an important micronutrient, the diet includes: 

• seaweed;
• walnuts;
• beef;
• spinach;
• sea ​​fish;
• red caviar;
• Cod liver;
• buckwheat.

Endocrinologists recommend taking multivitamins: Spectrum with iodine, Vitatabs + Iodine , Complivit Multivitamins + Iodine , Doppelgerts active Iodine + Iron . If taking iodine-containing drugs does not lead to a decrease in goiter, drugs with levothyroxine are included in therapy – Bagothyrox , L-Thyroxin, Eutirox . 

Iodine deficiency is a persistent lack of iodine in the body, leading to disruptions in the thyroid gland and the entire endocrine system. But with a balanced diet, periodic iodine therapy, it is possible to prevent thyroid diseases and congenital pathologies in a child.