Meta Information
ID:iodine
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/class/antithyroid-medications
Target name:
Antithyroid Medications (Methimazole, PTU)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Iodine supplementation directly counteracts the therapeutic mechanism of antithyroid drugs, which are designed to block iodine utilization by the thyroid gland, potentially worsening hyperthyroidism.
Actionable advice:
Avoid iodine supplements completely while taking antithyroid medications unless specifically directed by your endocrinologist.
Target id:
/intervention/amiodarone
Target name:
Amiodarone
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Amiodarone contains a very large amount of iodine, and adding more from supplements significantly increases the risk of iodine-induced thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism).
Actionable advice:
Do not take iodine supplements while on amiodarone due to the high risk of thyroid toxicity.
Target id:
/class/potassium-sparing-diuretics
Target name:
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Combining potassium iodide supplements with potassium-sparing diuretics can lead to dangerously high levels of potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia), which can cause serious heart problems.
Actionable advice:
Avoid using potassium iodide supplements if you are taking a potassium-sparing diuretic (e.g., spironolactone, amiloride).
Target id:
/condition/thyroid-disorders
Target name:
Thyroid Disorders (Hashimoto's, Graves', Nodules)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
In individuals with pre-existing autoimmune thyroid disease or nodules, supplemental iodine can trigger or worsen hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, a phenomenon known as the Jod-Basedow or Wolff-Chaikoff effect.
Actionable advice:
Do not supplement with iodine if you have a known thyroid disorder, except under the direct supervision of a physician.
Target id:
/procedure/radioactive-iodine-uptake-test
Target name:
Radioactive Iodine Uptake (RAIU) Test
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
assay_interference
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
672
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Recent iodine intake saturates the thyroid gland, preventing it from taking up the radioactive tracer and causing a falsely low (and therefore inaccurate) test result.
Actionable advice:
Discontinue all iodine supplements for at least 2-4 weeks before a scheduled RAIU test or thyroid scan.
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Iodine requirements increase significantly during pregnancy to support maternal thyroid function and fetal neurodevelopment; deficiency can cause severe and irreversible harm.
Actionable advice:
Ensure adequate, but not excessive, iodine intake throughout pregnancy as recommended by your obstetrician.
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding (Lactation)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Adequate iodine intake is critical during lactation to ensure sufficient iodine content in breast milk for the infant's brain development.
Actionable advice:
Continue to ensure adequate, but not excessive, iodine intake while breastfeeding as recommended by your physician.
Target id:
/class/ace-inhibitors
Target name:
ACE Inhibitors
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
ACE inhibitors can increase blood potassium levels. Taking them with potassium iodide increases the risk of developing hyperkalemia (high potassium).
Actionable advice:
Use caution and monitor potassium levels if combining potassium iodide with ACE inhibitors.
Target id:
/class/arbs
Target name:
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
ARBs can increase blood potassium levels. Taking them with potassium iodide increases the risk of developing hyperkalemia (high potassium).
Actionable advice:
Use caution and monitor potassium levels if combining potassium iodide with ARBs.
Target id:
/intervention/lithium
Target name:
Lithium
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Both lithium and iodine can suppress thyroid function; using them together synergistically increases the risk of developing hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid).
Actionable advice:
Avoid iodine supplements while taking lithium unless thyroid function is closely monitored by your doctor.
Target id:
/intervention/levothyroxine_systemic_disease
Target name:
Levothyroxine
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Excess iodine can interfere with thyroid hormone production and conversion, potentially disrupting the stability of levothyroxine therapy and exacerbating underlying autoimmune thyroiditis.
Actionable advice:
Avoid high-dose iodine supplements while on levothyroxine; consult your endocrinologist before taking any iodine.
Target id:
/condition/renal-impairment
Target name:
Renal Impairment
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Impaired kidney function reduces the body's ability to excrete excess iodine, increasing the risk of accumulation and toxicity.
Actionable advice:
Use iodine supplements with caution and at lower doses if you have kidney disease, under medical supervision.
Target id:
/biomarker/thyroid-panel
Target name:
Thyroid Function Tests (TSH, T3, T4)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
assay_interference
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
72
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Large doses of iodine can temporarily alter thyroid hormone levels, particularly suppressing TSH, which may lead to misinterpretation of test results.
Actionable advice:
Consider pausing high-dose iodine supplements for several days before having your thyroid levels checked for the most accurate baseline reading.
Target id:
/intervention/selenium
Target name:
Selenium
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Selenium is an essential cofactor for deiodinase enzymes that convert T4 to the active T3 thyroid hormone and for glutathione peroxidases that protect the thyroid from oxidative stress during hormone synthesis.
Actionable advice:
Ensure adequate selenium intake (from diet or supplements) when supplementing with iodine to support proper thyroid function.
Target id:
/dietary/goitrogenic-foods
Target name:
Goitrogenic Foods (Raw Cruciferous Vegetables, Soy)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Goitrogens are compounds in certain foods that can interfere with the thyroid gland's ability to absorb and utilize iodine, though this effect is significantly reduced by cooking.
Actionable advice:
If you have borderline iodine status, consider cooking goitrogenic vegetables and spacing their intake from your iodine supplement.
Target id:
/class/iron-supplements
Target name:
Iron
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Iron deficiency can impair the function of thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme critical for producing thyroid hormones, thereby reducing the effectiveness of iodine.
Actionable advice:
Ensure you have adequate iron status for optimal utilization of iodine by the thyroid gland.
Target id:
/intervention/vitamin-a
Target name:
Vitamin A
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Vitamin A is necessary for regulating thyroid hormone metabolism and inhibiting TSH secretion, making it a co-factor for proper iodine function.
Actionable advice:
Maintain sufficient Vitamin A levels to ensure proper thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) regulation and iodine utilization.
Target id:
/dietary/meal
Target name:
Any Caloric Meal
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
While not required for absorption, taking iodine with food can help minimize the potential for gastric irritation or stomach upset.
Actionable advice:
Take iodine with a meal to reduce the chance of stomach discomfort.