YOUR QUESTIONS – OUR ANSWERS

Frequently asked questions

1. Questions about iodine deficiency and iodide

2. Questions about Iodomarin®

1. Questions about iodine deficiency and iodide

Why is it important that I get iodine with food or with a supplement?

Iodine is an essential mineral nutrient and a trace element. A “trace element” is one that is needed by the body in minute quantities while “essential” means that the body needs such a mineral but cannot produce it by itself. So it is important for your health to take sufficient iodine with food.

How often does an iodine deficiency occur?

An estimated 1.9 billion people are at risk from iodine deficiency worldwide.Data reports indicate that inhabitants of 21 countries suffer from mild iodine deficiency and nine are moderately iodine deficient. On the other hand, more than 110 countries have an adequate iodine intake. However in these countries some subgroups such as vegans, vegetarians, weaned infants or those who do not use iodised salt may still be deficient in iodine. There is also an increased need of iodine for pregnant and breast feeding women and they are susceptible to iodine deficiency.

What is the recommended daily iodine intake?

The necessary daily intake is dependent on a person’s age. The United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend the following amounts:

Different agencies have recommended different intakes to meet iodine needs of non-pregnant, pregnant and breastfeeding women, ranging from 150 to 290 µg/day.

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What are typically symptoms for an iodine deficiency disease?

Typically symptoms of an iodine deficiency disease include:

Tiredness
Problems with concentration
Decrease in work productivity
Apathy12 Reduced mental functions
Lack of physical energy

Is there a possibility that I may be consuming excessive iodine?

After ingestion of many mg of iodine acute iodine poisoning may occur. Although, in case of healthy person with no other problems and iodine sufficiency, the thyroid is able to adjust to a wide range of iodine intakes, so healthy individuals may tolerate up to 1 mg daily intake.

What would be the symptoms of excessive iodine consumption?

An acute iodine poisoning can cause gastrointestinal or cardiovascular symptoms, or even coma. It can also cause the thyroid to become over or underactive. Symptoms of excess thyroid hormone production as a result of an overactive thyroid include hyperactivity, irritability, heat intolerance, palpitations, weakness, fatigue and weight loss. Symptoms of less thyroid hormones as a result of an underactive thyroid include tiredness, weakness, poor memory and difficulty concentration, weight gain, feeling cold, dry skin and hair loss.

A lack of thyroid hormones can have a lot of effects on my body. But what happens if the concentration of these hormones is too high?

Thyroid hormones can have effects on virtually every cell in your body. Therefore an excess of these hormones can affect nearly every organ or tissue of the body:

Central nervous system (CNS): Nervousness, emotional lability, hyperkinesia, tremor
Skin/hair: Pink, warm, moist skin, detachment of nails
Cardiovascular: Increased cardiac performance
Gut: Weight loss, increased bowel activity (loose motions) Metabolic: Increased resting metabolic rate, increased appetite, weight loss
Metabolic: Increased resting metabolic rate, increased appetite, weight loss

2. Questions about Iodomarin®

When should I take Iodomarin®?

Iodomarin® has two distinct therapeutic indications:

Prophylaxis of iodine deficiency (e. g. prophylaxis of goitre in iodine deficiency areas and after removal of iodine deficiency goitre)
Treatment of goitre in new-borns, children, adolescents and young adults

What is the recommended dosage of Iodomarin®?

The recommended dosage of Iodomarin® depends on the indication and on your age.

How should I take Iodomarin®?

You should take the Iodomarin® tablets after a meal with sufficient liquid, e. g. a glass of water.

How long do I have to take Iodomarin®?

Generally Iodomarin® must be administered for prophylaxis over a period of years, and not uncommonly for life. For treating goitre in new-borns the length of use is usually 2 – 4 weeks and 6 – 12 months or more in children, adolescents and adults.

Are there any contraindications for Iodomarin®?

Yes, there can be contraindications, therefore you should not take Iodomarin®:

If you are allergic to potassium iodide or any of the other
Ingredients In a manifestly overactive thyroid (with complaints)
In a latently overactive thyroid (without complaints) in a dosage of over 150 μg iodine per day
In benign, hormone-forming growth or uncontrolled hormone-forming areas of the thyroid in a dosage of 300 – 1,000 μg iodine per day (except in treatment before surgery)

Can I take Iodomarin® if I am pregnant or breast-feeding?

In pregnancy and the breast-feeding period an increase iodine requirement exists, meaning that adequate iodine intake is particularly important. However, iodine and iodine-containing preparations should only be taken with evaluation of benefit and possible risks and only at the explicit direction of the doctor. Please ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Iodomarin^®.

What does Iodomarin® contain?

Iodomarin® tablets contain potassium iodine. Other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, light magnesium carbonate, gelatine, sodium starch glycolate (type A), colloidal anhydrous silica and magnesium stearate.

Can I take Iodomarin® if I am lactose intolerant?

Iodomarin® tablets contain lactose.

Please contact your doctor before taking Iodomarin® if you have intolerance to lactose.

Are there any side effects if I take Iodomarin®?

Like all medicines, Iodomarin® can cause side effects, although not everybody will get them. When iodide is used for prophylaxis, undesirable effects are generally not expected. However, in the presence of large uncontrolled hormone-forming areas in the thyroid and daily iodine administration of more than 150 μg, an overactive thyroid becoming manifest cannot be ruled out completely.

In very rare cases, which means in less than 1 in 10,000 people taking Iodomarin® the following side effects could occur:

If you are taking Iodomarin® and get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This included any side effects not listed here.

Iodine-induced rhinitis
Skin reactions
Swelling of the skin or mucous membranes
Fever
Acne
Salivary gland swelling
Iodine-induced overactive thyroid (when used for the therapy of goitre in adults)

How should I store Iodomarin®?

Iodomarin® does not require any special storage conditions. The package should be stored in a dry place out of the reach of children, at temperature from + 5 °С to + 25 °С, protected from direct sunlight. Do not use the tablets after the expiry date on the label and the outer carton.

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Learn more about Iodine

Iodine is vital for health: The thyroid gland needs this essential mineral to steer many bodily processes. Controlled iodine supplementation adds to a healthy life.

Learn More

Breast-feeding Mothers and Babies

Breast-feeding women have an increased need for iodine, as well as their babies. Deficiency is to be avoided because of negative effects on development and on good health.