Iodine

You can find iodine for sale in pharmacies and online in the form of iodine supplements, such as:

• Bio Natural Iodine, 30 capsules, Zenyth is a dietary supplement containing kelp and spirulina, two seaweeds that have beneficial effects on the body;
• Natural Iodine, 500 mcg, 60 capsules, Herbagetica with Ashwagandha and sage extract, which regulate metabolism and optimise thyroid function;
• Natural Iodine, 60 capsules, Dvr Pharm, recommended for hyperthyroidism;
• Iodine Nutrisorb, 15 ml, BioCare, a vegetarian and vegan product that can be taken sublingually or mixed with water or food;
• Natural Iodine Kelp, 250 tablets, Swanson, an essential mineral and rich source of nutrients that supports thyroid health and prevents the absorption of radioactive iodine;
• Iod Complex, 30 capsules, Dacia Plant, has astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties;
• Iod Organic, 60 capsules, Hypericum with Saccharina japonica seaweed extract and atomised chicken egg extract enriched with iodine from kelp seaweed;
• Natural Iodine 500 mcg, 30 capsules, Herbagetica with iodine extracted from Fucus, stabilises physiological processes and helps restore the body;
• Iod Forte 600, 30 capsules, Parapharm.

Iodine can also be obtained from food. Foods rich in iodine include seaweed, cod, shrimp, tuna, dairy products, eggs and iodised salt.

Iodised salt was introduced into the diet to reduce the risk of goitre and protect the thyroid gland. However, excess salt can be harmful as it also contains sodium, and sodium chloride, although an essential mineral for the body, is contraindicated for people with high blood pressure.

Both iodised and non-iodised salt are good choices for the body if consumed in optimal amounts, the difference being that iodised salt provides the body with a nutrient that is not naturally produced by the body but has beneficial effects.

Iodine in dietary supplements contributes to the production of thyroid hormones in optimal amounts, maintains normal cognitive function, reduces oxidative stress, regulates nervous system functions and energy metabolism, helps detoxify the liver, control weight and prevent fat deposition, improves lipid and glucose metabolism, and maintains healthy skin. Iodine tincture dries the skin and is used by people with warts or other skin growths in very small amounts and in thin layers so as not to cause burns.

Supplements containing potassium iodate should not be taken by people who are allergic to iodine, have hyperthyroidism, phenylketonuria or Graves' disease. It is also not recommended to give iodine supplements to people suffering from autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis. Particular caution should be exercised in patients undergoing treatment for hyperthyroidism with levothyroxine-containing medications. Iodine tincture should be used with caution as contact with the skin or mucous membranes may cause burns. Iodine during pregnancy and breastfeeding: iodine supplements should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, nor should they be given to children under 12 years of age.

Iodine allergy manifests itself through symptoms such as respiratory failure, erythema and oedema of the face, bronchospasm, angioedema and, very rarely, anaphylaxis, skin rashes, itching and, in extremely severe and rare cases, Lyell's syndrome and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

In the case of iodine allergies, there will be pain in the teeth and gums, a metallic taste, a burning sensation in the airways, excessive salivation, swelling of the eyes and tearing, pustules on the face, allergic rhinitis and, very rarely, iododerma, which is a toxic dermatitis.

Betadine is an antiseptic used to treat superficial wounds and contains povidone, hydrogen iodide and elemental iodine, while the iodine in iodine tincture is a chemical element. Both are used as disinfectants in dermatological conditions.