What is the major use for iodine?

Answer 1

Iodine-131 is used in nuclear medicine both diagnostically and therapeutically. Examples of its use in radiation therapy include the treatment of thyrotoxicosis and thyroid cancer. Diagnostic tests exploit the mechanism of absorption of iodine by the normal cells of the thyroid gland. As an example iodine-131 is one of the radioactive isotopes of iodine that can be used to test how well the thyroid gland is functioning.

Answer 2

Uses of Iodine

Prevention of Goiter: Lack of iodine causes goiter (abnormal expansion of the thyroid gland). So, prevention of goiter, is one of the most important iodine uses in the body. Iodine is often added to salt, to ensure sufficient intake of iodine.

Conjunctivitis: If a person is suffering from bacterial conjunctivitis, then a solution of povidone iodine is used for effective treatment.

Metabolism: Thyroid glands play an important role in many life processes inside the body, like maintaining body temperature, heart rate, body weight and digestion of food. Iodine is essential for smooth functioning of thyroid glands, which indirectly helps in good metabolism.

Breast Health: Iodine is considered very important for breast shape and health. It is found in breast milk. There is a lot research being conducted about the connection between iodine and Breast cancer.

Cretinism: This is a congenital IDD (Iodine Deficiency Disease). In cretinism, the child suffers from mental illness and physical disabilities.

Ovarian Problems: Due to deficiency of iodine, many ovarian problems like ovarian cyst and cancer may be caused.

Eye Health: Iodine is used to treat eye infections, also iodine protects against UVB radiations.

Antioxidant: Iodine is a vital mineral for our body, and is considered as important as vitamin C. One of the uses of iodine in the body, is that it acts as an antioxidant in the blood.

Acne: Potassium iodide is used often for treating common skin problems like acne.

Skin Health: Development of healthy skin, nails, hair and teeth, is one of the most important functions of iodine in the body.

Cancer: Some radioactive isotopes of iodine are used to destroy the thyroid damaging cancer cells. Many times a low iodine diet for thyroid cancer is prescribed.

IDD: Iodine is essential to prevent iodine deficiency diseases. Some results of IDD in pregnant women, are stillbirths, miscarriages and other pregnancy related complications. To learn more, read on iodine deficiency symptoms.

Cough Treatment: For treating cough problems, a cough mixture of potassium iodide aqueous expectorant is used.

Sterilization: Many products used for cleaning of wounds contain iodine. For example, betadine, alcohol and some antibiotics contain iodine.

Purification of Water: To clean impure water, iodine solution or tablets are often mixed with water, especially in emergency cases. The water is purified within 15 - 20 minutes.

People suffering from iodine deficiency, are often asked to take iodine orally by the doctor. Iodine has an unpleasant metallic taste, so it can be taken with fruit juices or plain water, to improve its taste. Over consumption of iodine might lead to side effects like diarrhea, fever, skin rashes and other iodine allergy symptoms. In such a case, contact the doctor immediately. Pregnant women have to take special care to avoid any iodine deficiency, to maintain health of the baby and their self.

Answer 3

Iodine-131 is used in nuclear medicine both diagnostically and therapeutically. Examples of its use in radiation therapy include the treatment of thyrotoxicosis and thyroid cancer. Diagnostic tests exploit the mechanism of absorption of iodine by the normal cells of the thyroid gland. As an example iodine-131 is one of the radioactive isotopes of iodine that can be used to test how well the thyroid gland is functioning.

Answer 4

This section discusses some of the ways that individuals have used iodine -- for everything from sore throats and colds, fibrocystic breasts, hair loss, fungal infections, ovarian cysts, prostrate problems, ovarian cysts, thyroid conditions, weight loss, heart issues, cancer, skin tags, acne, nuclear protection, disinfecting cuts, water purification, food poisoning, PMS, burns, teeth and gum issues, etc.

One of the less well known uses is discussed by Ryan Drum-- using iodine as protection from increasing levels of background radiation coming from nuclear reactors (I-131). Using iodine for protection from nuclear disasters is discussed in the nuclear section.

The Earth Clinic section discusses uses for iodine submitted by various individuals.

The Atomidine article has testimonials from the 1930s on nascent iodine.

Potter describes many uses of iodine from 1902.

Doctor's Facts describes iodide uses for a variety of ailments in the early 1900s.

Answer 5

One of the uses of iodine-131 is the treatment of thyrotoxicosis and some types of thyroid cancer. Iodine-131 is also used in the nuclear medicine therapeutically.

Answer 6

The thyroid is the only organ that stores, accumulates and excretes Iodine.

Answer 7

If you are using a microscope, then the item you are observing is either soaked in iodine or dabbed in order to make cells and other particles more visible.

Answer 8

i dont get this :]

Answer 9

Disenfectants, and more

Answer 10

Medicine