Iodine: Characteristics, Uses, Side Effects and Symptoms

Iodine is one of the most essential chemicals that we need to survive. Our body can make iodine on its own. A normal human body contains around 20 milligrams of Iodine in the thyroid gland. It is an important element for humans for the proper working of the brain. The solution of iodine having 2 - 3 percent solution of iodine in the alcohol-water mixture is used as an antiseptic for wounds. In the following sections, we are going to talk about Iodine, uses of Iodine and its side effects. 

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Iodine

Iodine is a stable element with the chemical symbol ‘I’ and atomic number 53. Iodine is the heaviest halogen of all the stable halogens. It is a semi-lustrous, non-metallic solid at standard temperature and pressure and melts to give a deep violet color liquid at 114 degrees Celsius, and forms a violet gas at 184 degrees Celsius.

Iodine

Iodine can be found naturally in air, soil, and water. A maximum amount of Iodine is present in the oceans. There are some minerals, which contain iodine like seaweed, cod, halibut, and more. 

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Characteristics of Iodine 

Some of the important characteristics of Iodine are given below:

• Iodine is a non-metallic element, dark-gray/purple-black, lustrous, solid element.
• Iodine is the most electropositive and the least reactive halogen and can form compounds with many electronegative elements.
• At standard temperature and pressure, it is a bluish-black solid compound. It sublimates at standard temperatures into a violet-pink gas that has a pungent smell. 
• This halogen forms compounds with many electronegative elements and is less reactive than the other members of its Group 7th (halogens) and has some light reflectance properties.
• Iodine is an element that is easily dissolved in most organic solvents like hexane or chloroform because of its lack of polarity but is very little soluble in water. However, the solubility of iodine in water increases by adding potassium iodide water. T
• The molecular iodine reacts with the negative ion, generating the triiodide anion I₃⁻ in equilibrium, which is soluble in water. Some famous medicinal (antiseptic) iodine, even tincture of iodine dissolves the other element in aqueous ethanol.
• Iodine easily melts at a very low temperature of 113.7 °C, although the liquid is often covered by a dense violet vapor of gaseous iodine.

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Uses of Iodine

Iodine is an important mineral for our body. It’s very important to take iodine during pregnancy. The exposure of iodine to the womb may even help prevent certain health conditions later in life. The following is a list of some of the most important uses and how they are important for the body.

1. Promoting Thyroid Health

Iodine plays a very important role in curing the thyroid. The human thyroid gland is located at the bottom of your neck, and it helps in regulating hormone production called thyroxin. This is a very important hormone that controls your metabolism, heart health, and more.

To start making thyroxine in your body, start taking iodine in small amounts. Without iodine, thyroid hormone production can be reduced. A low level of thyroxine can cause a condition called hypothyroidism.

Promoting Thyroid Health

People can also get enough iodine by eating dairy products, fortified foods, and saltwater fish. Iodine is also present in plant foods that grow in naturally iodine-rich soil. You can also get the iodine by seasoning your food with iodized salt.

Iodine helps in maintaining overall thyroid health but too much iodine can also harm your thyroid gland. That’s why people shouldn’t take iodine supplements without their doctor’s recommendation.

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2. Reducing Risk for Some Goiters

A goiter is an enlarged gland in the thyroid. Your thyroid may become big because of either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland becomes overactive. Non-cancerous thyroid nodules (cysts) can also cause enlargement in the thyroid gland.

Goiter

Sometimes a goiter forms because of Iodine deficiency. This is the most common reason for goiter around the world, though it is not common in countries like America and other countries because of the presence of an excess of iodine-rich foods.

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3. Managing Overactive Thyroid Gland

To manage the overactive thyroid gland doctors recommend a special type of iodine called radioactive iodine to treat a hyperactive thyroid gland. It is also called radioiodine and is taken through the mouth. It helps in removing extra thyroid cells to reduce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone present in the body.

Overactive Thyroid Gland

The risk associated with taking a high amount of radioactive iodine is that it can also destroy too many thyroid cells. This can reduce the amount of hormone production, leading to hypothyroidism. Hence, radioactive iodine is taken only after antithyroid drugs have failed to work.

Radioactive iodine is not the same as iodine supplements. People should not take iodine supplements for hyperthyroidism.

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4. Treating Thyroid Cancer

Radio-iodine may also be the main treatment method for thyroid cancer. It works almost the same way as hyperthyroid treatment.

Radioactive Iodine

When you take radioactive iodine through the mouth, the medicine destroys thyroid cells, including cancerous ones. It can also be used as surgical treatment in the thyroid to make sure all cancerous cells have been removed from the body.

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5. Neurodevelopment During Pregnancy

Women usually need more iodine during their pregnancy. This is because iodine intake during pregnancy helps in the brain development of fetuses. Mothers who take lesser iodine during pregnancy were more likely to grow up with lower IQ levels and other intellectual delays.

Doctors usually recommended 220 mcg of iodine daily during pregnancy. In comparison, the recommended amount in non-pregnant adults is 150 mcg a day.

Always ask your doctor about iodine supplementation during pregnancy, especially if your prenatal vitamin doesn’t have iodine. Iodine supplements may also help if you are deficient in the mineral.

Neurodevelopment During Pregnancy

Pregnant women also need to continue monitoring their iodine intake if they are breastfeeding. The doctor recommends a daily intake of iodine around 290 mcg while nursing. This is because the iodine women take up from diet and other supplements are transferred through breast milk to the infant. The early stages of child brain development is a crucial period, so infants need around 110 mcg per day until the child reaches 6 months of age.

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6. Improving Cognitive Function

The benefits of iodine for neurological development during pregnancy are healthy brain development. This also reduces the risk of intellectual disability.

A child may get all the iodine they need in their diet, but if there is any doubt about their iodine intake then talking to a doctor is important.

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7. Improving Birth Weight

Brain development is associated with iodine intake during pregnancy with healthy birth weight. Pregnant women with goiters need around 400 mg of iodine taken daily for around six to eight weeks which will be useful in treating goiters because of iodine deficiency. Also, it leads to an overall improvement in birth weight in newborns.

Iodine intake can affect a baby’s birth weight and overall development. It is important to note that babies of developing ages are already deficient in iron.

Unless your doctor says you are iodine deficient, taking supplements is not going to impact your baby’s weight at birth. Taking iodine unnecessarily can cause other health issues as well.

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8. May Help Treat Fibrocystic Breast Disease

It is also possible that iodine supplements or medications can help treat fibrocystic breast disease. This non-cancerous condition is most prevalent in women of reproductive age, and it can cause painful breast lumps.

Fibrocystic Breast Disease

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9. Disinfecting water

Iodine is just one method of water cleaning or purifying. This can be helpful if you don’t have potable water due to traveling or the effects of a natural disaster.

Two percent liquid iodine content may be added to water in five-drop increments per one quarter. If the water appears cloudy, add ten drops per quarter to clean the water.

Iodine tablets may also be used, but the instructions should be followed as directed by the manufacturer.

Iodine Water Treatment

Despite the role that iodine plays in disinfecting drinking water, there are also some concerns that it can increase the total iodine intake in humans and lead to adverse health effects. Total iodine taken by people shouldn’t exceed 2 mg per day.

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10. Protection From Nuclear Fallout

In the case of nuclear fallout, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guides the use of potassium iodide (KI) to protect the thyroid gland from any type of radiation injury. These medicines are available in the form of tablets and liquid formulas.

While not completely foolproof, the earlier you will take KI, the higher the chances that the thyroid is thought to be protected in the event of this kind of emergency.

There are several risks associated with KI, like gastrointestinal upset, inflammation, and allergic reaction. People are also at increased risk for thyroid disease. The risk for complications is more if you already have thyroid disease.

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11. Treating Infections

Iodine can be used usually in a liquid form to treat and prevent infections. Iodine works by killing bacteria in and around mild cuts and scrapes.

Topical iodine should not be used on newborn babies without a doctor’s prescription. It should not be used for any type of deep cuts, animal bites, or burns.

Follow directions as prescribed on the packaging for dosage information, and do not use it for more than 10 days unless prescribed by your doctor.

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Side Effects of Iodine

High iodine intake causes toxicity which may lead to coma. People should only take iodine if they have a thyroid condition or are prescribed by their doctor. Young children and the elderly are more prone to iodine side effects. Several side effects caused by taking too much iodine include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Burning sensations in the throat and mouth
• Stomach pain

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Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency

Iodine deficiency tests can only be diagnosed through urine tests. The symptoms of low iodine levels are primarily detected through thyroid symptoms, such as:

• A visible goiter (swollen neck area)
• A thyroid gland that’s painful or tender to the touch
• Breathing difficulties, especially when lying down
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Fatigue 
• Extreme feelings of coldness, despite normal temperatures
• Hair loss
• Depression
• Brain fog
• Unintentional weight gain 

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Things to Remember Based on Iodine

• Iodine is the heaviest stable halogen with the chemical symbol ‘I’ and atomic number 53.
• It is a semi-lustrous, non-metallic solid at standard temperature and pressure and melts to give a deep violet color liquid at 114 degrees Celsius, and forms a violet gas at 184 degrees Celsius.
• Iodine is a dark-gray and purple-black non-metallic element and has a lustrous structure. 
• It is the most electropositive and the least reactive halogen.
• Iodine can form compounds with many electronegative elements.
• At standard temperature and pressure, it is a bluish-black solid compound. 
• Iodine sublimates at standard temperatures into a violet-pink gas that has a pungent smell. 
• Iodine is less reactive than the other members of its group and has some light reflectance properties.

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