Potassium Iodide
Potassium iodide is a salt of potassium and iodine, used as a source of iodine in supplements and iodized salt.
Can iodine treat an overactive thyroid?
In a Japanese observational study of untreated Graves’ disease, 42.7% of 288 patients followed for two years were managed with potassium-iodide-based treatment without added antithyroid drugs; some also received levothyroxine. Others needed additional medication or definitive treatment. This describes a specialist treatment pathway, not a randomized demonstration that iodine supplements suit everyone with an overactive thyroid. 1
Does it make thyroid surgery safer?
A 2019 meta-analysis found less blood loss and thyroid vascularity with preoperative iodine, but no improvement in surgical complications. A newer analysis of 11 studies and 2,257 patients with Graves’ disease found no clear differences in blood loss, operating time or complications. These heterogeneous results leave the value of routine pretreatment uncertain. 2 3
What does the newer finding rule out?
The newer review does not establish equivalence: estimates remain uncertain, and the authors call for larger randomized trials. 3
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Organ Function1 effect
Essential Health1 effect
Hair & Skin1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Immune Support1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
All studies
6 publications are linked to Potassium Iodide, newest first.