Lugol’s solution is not a solution for improving the iodine status Preparations marketed online for use as food supplements pose health risks

Lugol’s solution is an aqueous solution containing elemental iodine and potassium iodide. Iodine is an essential trace element and indispensable for the production of thyroid hormones, which in turn help regulate key processes in the body. These include energy expenditure and basal metabolism, growth and development of the child and the foetus, body temperature, the cardiovascular system, blood pressure, physical and cognitive performance , digestive function and mood.

Both a deficiency and an excess of iodine can have negative health consequences. If iodine intake is insufficient over a prolonged period of time, it can lead to hypothyroidism. Symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain and an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre) may occur. Conversely, an excess of iodine can lead to hyperthyroidism in patients with an existing thyroid disorder (e. g. Graves’ disease). In individuals with a healthy thyroid, excessive iodine intake can cause a temporary blockage of thyroid hormone production, which usually resolves within a few days. In certain conditions, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or in the unborn child, the blockage may however persist, leading to hypothyroidism.

The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends a daily intake of 150 µgshort formicrogram of iodine through nutrition for people aged 13 and over. Although iodine intake in Germany has improved since the mid-1980s – partly due to the use of iodised table salt – around one third of adults and 45 % of children in Germany are at increased risk of iodine deficiency. 

People who regularly consume iodine-rich foods such as fish and milk (and dairy products) and use iodised salt at home generally have an adequate iodine intake. However, according to the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, people who avoid milk, dairy produce and fish – for example, due to a vegan lifestyle – as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, should monitor their iodine intake and, if necessary, seek medical advice on the possibility of supplementing iodine. 

Anyone wishing to supplement iodine should opt for food supplements containing no more than 100 µgshort formicrogram (150 µgshort formicrogram for pregnant and breastfeeding women) of iodine per daily dose in the form of sodium or potassium iodate or iodide. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommends this as a maximum amount to ensure that consumers can supplement their diet with an appropriate amount without taking up too much iodine. For supplementation, one should use food supplements that are regularly available on the market and comply with the requirements of the Food Supplements Regulation. Other preparations that have recently been promoted, particularly on social media, such as Lugol’s solution for iodine intake, pose significant health risks.

Further information:

BVLshort forGerman Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety communication (in German only): External Link:Lugolsche Lösung ist kein Lebensmittel