Lugol's iodine

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Lugol's iodine, also known as Lugol's solution, first made in 1829, is a solution of iodine named after the French physician J.G.A. Lugol. Lugol's iodine solution is often used as an antiseptic and disinfectant, a starch indicator, to replenish iodine deficiency, to protect the thyroid gland from radioactive materials (e.g. "fallout"), and for emergency disinfection of drinking water. [1].

Lugol's was often used in the treatment of gout and was used as a first line treatment for hypothyroidism in adults. 'Painting' the soles of the feet with Lugol's before retiring for the night allowed the body to absorb what it needed from the soles. If, upon waking, the Lugol's was gone it meant that the body had taken what it needed and needed more. Painting was done on a nightly basis and as treatment progressed, the need for the solution diminished because the body rebuilt its stores and thus absorbed less and less over each 24 hour period until none was absorbed at all. It was also prescribed internally (e.g., 2 drops in drinking water 3x/day) but because of its taste (metallic) and the fact that it stained, many physicians chose the painting method of treatment.

This solution is also used as an indicator to test for the presence of starches in organic compounds, with which it reacts by turning a dark-blue/black.

It consists of 5% iodine (I₂) and 10% potassium iodide (KI) in distilled water with a total iodine content of 130 mg/mL. Potassium iodide is added to render the iodine water-soluble.

Other names for Lugol's solution are IKI (Iodine Potassium-Iodide); Iodine, Strong solution (Systemic); Aqueous Iodine Solution BP.

It can be used as a cell stain, making the cell nuclei more visible.

[edit] Applications

Historically, Lugol's was widely available and used for a number of health problems with some precautions [2]. Lugol's is sometimes prescribed in a variety of alternative medical treatments [3]. Lugol's solution is now only available by prescription in the USA and is available over the counter in Canada.

Following the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster in April 1986, Lugol's iodine was given to 10.5 million children and 7 million adults in Poland [4], as a remedy to the possible accumulation of radioactive iodine-131 in the thyroid.

Many organs in the body require iodine to function normally, especially breast tissue. Studies have confirmed a link between fibrocystic breast disease and lack of iodine in a woman's diet. See <http://www.newswithviews.com/Howenstine/james47.htm>. Recent studies have confirmed an increase in breast cancer since manufacturers eliminated iodine from bread approximately 20 years ago and replaced it with bromine. Bromine is toxic to the thyroid gland as well.

Nowadays, Lugol's iodine is given for thyroid storm and pre-operatively.

Lugol's solution can also be used in various experiments to observe how a cell membrane uses osmosis and diffusion.