The safety of iodine supplementation for our children / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

The benefits of diet supplementation to prevent iodine deficiency disorders are understood, but adverse effects also occur, including thyrotoxicosis and thyroiditis causing hypothyroidism. Previous evidence iodine-induced thyroiditis has come from experimental studies, pathological series, and cross-sectional epidemiological surveys. In the current study of three Chinese populations in regions with mildly deficient, more than adequate, and excessive iodine intake, Teng et al. have identified small, but significantly higher incidences of thyroid autoimmunity and subclinical hypothyroidism with higher iodine intakes, but no higher incidence of overt hypothyroidism. These findings are reassuring from the clinical and public health perspectives, confirming that iodization programs yield great benefits with little risk to human health.