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The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
- For iodine deficiency: Consumption of iodized salt is recommended in most cases.
- For most people, iodized salt containing 20-40 mg of iodine per kilogram of salt is recommended. If salt consumption is less than 10 grams per person per day, the amount of iodine in salt may need to be higher.
- In pregnant and lactating women, iodine supplements providing 250 mcg of iodine daily or a single annual dose of 400 mg of iodized oil are recommended.
- For radiation exposure: Potassium iodide (KI) should be taken just prior to, or as soon as possible after, exposure. Radiation is most harmful to pregnant or breastfeeding women and children, so KI is dosed according to amount of radiation exposure and age. Radiation exposure is measured in centigrays (cGy). For pregnant or breastfeeding women, KI is given if radiation exposure is 5 centigrays (cGy) or more.
- • For pregnant or breastfeeding women, 120 mg.
- • For adults 18 to 40 years with exposure to 10 cGy or more, 130 mg of KI is given.
- • For adults over 40 years with exposure to 500 cGy or more, 130 mg of KI is given.
- For thyroid storm: Five drops of a saturated solution of potassium iodine every 6 hours is recommended.
- For reducing the size of thyroid nodules: Iodized salt 150-200 mcg daily in addition to thyroxine 1.5 mcg per kg daily after surgery for benign nodular thyroid disease, or 50-100 mcg/day based on needs, for up to 12 months.
- For a type of benign (non-cancerous) breast disease (fibrocystic breast disease): Molecular iodine 70-90 mcg/kg for 4-18 months.
- For breast pain (mastalgia): Iodine 3000-6000 mcg daily for 5 months.
ON THE SKIN:
- For leg sores caused by weak blood circulation (venous leg ulcer): Topical application of cadexomer iodine to venous leg ulcers for 4-6 weeks. Also, solutions containing 10% povidone-iodine, ointment containing 10% povidone-iodine, and dry powder spray containing 2.5% povidone-iodine have been used in combination with compression therapy.
- For foot sores in people with diabetes: Topical iodine 0.9% ointment for 12 weeks.
- For swelling (inflammation) and sores inside the mouth (oral mucositis): 100 mL of a mouth rinse containing povidone-iodine solution used as a rinse for 3 minutes four times daily starting at the beginning of radiotherapy and continuing until one week after radiation is completed.
- For a serious gum infection (periodontitis): A rinse with 0.1% to 10% povidone-iodine used during scaling and root planing.
- For infection after surgery: Spray containing iodine in the form of povidone-iodine has been applied before and after wound closure. Also, solution containing 0.35% to 10% povidone-iodine has been applied for one to three minutes before or after wound closure.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the lining of the uterus (endometritis): A vaginal wash containing iodine in the form of povidone-iodine 1% to 10% has been used immediately before Cesarean delivery.
CHILDREN
BY MOUTH:
- For iodine deficiency: Consumption of iodized salt is recommended in most cases.
- For most people, iodized salt containing 20-40 mg of iodine per kilogram of salt is recommended. If salt consumption is less than 10 grams per person per day, the amount of iodine in salt may need to be higher.
- In children aged 7 months to 2 years, iodine supplementation may be necessary if iodized salt is not available. In those cases, supplements providing 90 mcg of iodine daily or a single annual dose of 200 mg of iodized oil is recommended.
- For radiation exposure: Potassium iodide (KI) should be taken just prior to, or as soon as possible after, exposure. Radiation is most harmful to pregnant or breastfeeding women and children, so KI is dosed according to amount of radiation exposure and age. Radiation exposure is measured in centigrays (cGy). For infants, babies, children, and adolescents, KI is given if radiation exposure is 5 centigrays (cGy) or more.
- • For birth through 1 month, the dose is 16 mg of KI.
- • For babies and children over 1 month through 3 years, 32 mg.
- • For children 3 to 12 years, 65 mg.
- • For adolescents 12 through 18 years, 65 mg or 120 mg if the adolescent is approaching adult size.
AS EYE DROPS:
- Pink eye: Eye drops containing 2.5% povidone-iodine given shortly after birth.
The National Academy of Medicine has set Adequate Intake (AI) of iodine for infants: to 6 months, 110 mcg/day; 7 to 12 months, 130 mcg/day.
For children and adults, Recommended Dietary Amounts (RDA) have been set: children 1 to 8 years, 90 mcg/day; 9 to 13 years, 120 mcg/day; people age 14 and older, 150 mcg/day. For pregnant women, the RDA is 220 mcg/day, and breastfeeding women, 290 mcg/day.
Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL), the highest level of intake that is not likely to cause unwanted side effects, for iodine intake have been set: children 1 to 3 years, 200 mcg/day; 4 to 8 years, 300 mcg/day; 9 to 13 years, 600 mcg/day; 14 to 18 years (including pregnancy and breastfeeding), 900 mcg/day. For adults older than age 19 including pregnant and breastfeeding women, the Tolerable Upper Intake Level is 1100 mcg/day.
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