Iodine is a trace mineral your body needs to ensure normal growth and development. About 70 to 80 percent of your body's iodine is concentrated in the thyroid gland, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. The remaining 20 to 30 percent of your body's iodine can be found in your ovaries, muscles and blood. Iodine can be used to purify water and disinfect wounds. Potassium iodine can be used to decrease the amount of radioactive iodine in your thyroid gland.
Function and Dose
Your body uses iodine to regulate cellular metabolism, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Your body also needs iodine to help your thyroid gland function as well as produce thyroid hormones. The recommended daily dose of iodine varies depending on age, MedlinePlus cites. Infants need between 110 to 130 mcg daily. Children aged 8 and below should take about 90 mcg of iodine daily. Children aged 9 to 13 need about 120 mcg of iodine daily. People who are 14 and up need about 150 mcg of iodine daily. Other factors such as pregnancy may affect your recommended daily dose of iodine. You should seek medical advice to determine your daily iodine needs.
Abdominal Pain and Metallic Taste in Mouth
Exceeding your recommended daily dose of iodine can cause symptoms such as pain in your abdominal area and diarrhea, Drugs.com explains. You may have a metallic taste in your mouth and pain in your mouth or throat as a result of excessive iodine intake. This is because iodine is impairing your sense of taste. You may also experience nausea and may vomit frequently.
Increased Thirst and Difficulty Urinating
Difficulty urinating and increased thirst are effects of excessive iodine intake, MedlinePlus says. This is because the excess amount of iodine can impair kidney function or even cause kidney disease, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Consistent intake of about 2,000 mcg of iodine may contribute to such a condition.
Seizures and Hypothyroidism
More severe symptoms of iodine poisoning include seizures, delirium, breathing difficulties, fever, shock and stupor, Drugs.com notes. This can be caused by excessive intake of potassium iodide or radioactive iodine used as a means of treating thyroid disease. The excess amount of iodine can impair thyroid function and block thyroid hormone production, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. Your risk if developing thyroid cancer, Hashimoto's disease or Graves' disease increases when your iodine levels exceed normal levels. Iodine may also interact with other medications such as lithium inducing hypothyroidism.
References
- Drugs.com; Iodine Poisoning; Eric Perez; February 2011
- MedlinePlus; Iodine in Diet; Linda Vorvick; March 2009
- MedlinePlus; Iodine Poisoning; Eric Perez; February 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Iodine; Steven D. Ehrlich; June 2009
- University of Maryland of Medical Center; Iodine Poisoning; John E. Duldner; February 2009
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