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

Although universal salt iodization has beenused as the most effective method of providingiodine supplementation, in areaswhere salt iodization program has failed,or when iodized salt is not widely available,iodized oil can be used for iodine supplementation.following administration of iodized oil, iodineis continuously released from the lipid storesover long periods of time. the effect may last for oneyear after oral and up to 3-7years after intramuscularadministration, helping to prevent endemic goiter,physical and psychomotor retardation, and the undesirablepre- and postnatal complications of iodinedeficiency. iodized oil administration decreases thesize of goiter, reverses hypothyroidism, improvespsychomotor performance and corrects auditory disturbancescaused by iodine deficiency. dermatologiccomplications, iodine induced hyperthyroidismand hypothyroidism may occur following itsuse, but enhancement of thyroid autoimmunity andthyroiditis have rarely been reported. the use of iodizedoil during pregnancy has no deleterious effectson the thyroid function of the offspring.