Excess Iodine Intake From a Cystic Fibrosis Supplement Induces Symptomatic Hypothyroidism
November 2022
in “
Journal of the Endocrine Society
”
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Studysummary This case study highlighted that excessive iodide intake from the supplement TauriNac was associated with the development of hypothyroidism in a cystic fibrosis patient, which reversed upon discontinuation. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
A 45-year-old woman with cystic fibrosis developed symptomatic hypothyroidism, including dry skin, hair loss, and cold intolerance, after taking excessive iodine through the supplement TauriNac. Her thyroid function normalized after discontinuing the supplement but worsened upon resumption, indicating a clear correlation between high iodine intake and hypothyroidism. This case highlights the potential risks of iodine supplementation in cystic fibrosis patients, who may already be prone to thyroid dysfunction. Providers should be cautious of complementary and alternative medicine use in this population due to the risk of iodine-induced hypothyroidism.
