Iodine resorption from PVP-iodine preparations after their use in humans

Abstract

The absorption of iodine from iodine-containing PVP preparations and the possibility of iodide being split off from the organic compound were tested in subjects with normal thyroid function after they had used PVP-iodine as mouth-antiseptic (15 subjects), vaginal gel (20 subjects) or liquid soap (20 subjects). Serum I-, T3, T4, TSH and urinary iodide excretion were measured, as an index of thyroid function, before and after the PVP application. Increase in iodine supply was up to 2 mg daily in the test subjects. The overwhelming proportion of the absorbed iodine (greater than 75%) was as organically bound iodine. In none of the subjects was there evidence of developing hyper- or hypothyroidism as a result of the additional iodine supply. Approximate values for the biological half-life and the distribution volume of total iodine in the body were also obtained.