Iodized Oil: Its Role in the Management of Iodine Deficiency Disorders

Although universal salt iodization has been used as the most effective method of providing iodine sup-plementation, in areas where salt iodization program has failed, or when iodized salt is not widely avail-able, iodized oil can be used for iodine supplemen-tation. Following administration of iodized oil, io-dine is continuously released from the lipid stores over long periods of time. The effect may last for one year after oral and up to 3-7 years after intramuscular administration, helping to prevent endemic goiter, physical and psychomotor retardation, and the un-desirable pre- and postnatal complications of iodine deficiency. Iodized oil administration decreases the size of goiter, reverses hypothyroidism, improves psychomotor performance and corrects auditory dis-turbances caused by iodine deficiency. Derma-tologic complications, iodine induced hyperthyroid-ism and hypothyroidism may occur following its use, but enhancement of thyroid autoimmunity and thyroiditis have rarely been reported. The use of io-dized oil during pregnancy has no deleterious ef-fects on the thyroid function of the offspring.