How can iodine be reduced in the body? | Iodine in the human body

How can iodine be reduced in the body?

It is not possible, but also not necessary, to directly reduce the iodine content in the body. The body regulates the iodine content through various mechanisms. For example, the absorption of iodine in the intestines and its excretion through the kidneys into the urine can be increased and decreased.

Furthermore, the thyroid gland can store large amounts of iodine without being damaged. It can protect itself from an oversupply by blocking the absorption and the excess iodine is simply excreted through the kidneys without harming the body. However, if the thyroid gland is diseased, too much iodine intake can lead to hyperactivity.

For such an increase in iodine, however, the iodine contained in food and iodized salt is not sufficient. Very large quantities of iodine, for example, are required by contrast medium containing iodine in a CT examination.Even then, there is no direct reduction of iodine in the body, but rather a therapy of the resulting hyperthyroidism. The iodine is released into the urine via the kidneys and excreted.

How is iodine stored in the human body?

The only organ of the body that utilizes iodine is the thyroid gland. That is why it is mainly there that it is bound to proteins and stored. If necessary, the body uses the supply there to produce and release thyroid hormones.

There is so much iodine stored in the thyroid gland that the requirement can be maintained for up to 3 months if it is not supplied. To a certain extent, iodine can also be stored in the fatty tissue. However, it is not further processed there.