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Iodine is important for thyroid function but can cause poisoning if consumed in excess. Symptoms include a metallic taste, mouth pain, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. Seek medical attention immediately if suspected. Treatment involves flushing the excess iodine from the body. Death or permanent complications are rare.
Iodine is a chemical element that occurs mainly naturally in soil. It plays an important role in the functioning of the thyroid, a gland that helps control a variety of body functions, such as metabolizing nutrients in food into usable energy, as well as guiding the body through the different stages of development. Iodine generally makes its way into the body through the consumption of iodine-containing foods; however, the item can also be sold in liquid supplement or pill form. Although iodine deficiency tends to be more common than a problem since it can affect thyroid function, iodine poisoning can also be potentially dangerous and cause serious symptoms and complications. Iodine poisoning can be caused by eating food with too much of the element or by overdosing on iodine supplements.
Some of the most common symptoms of iodine poisoning generally occur in the mouth. A person may first notice a strange metallic taste in their mouth. Pain in the mouth and throat that ranges from mild to severe can also develop due to poisoning.
Other symptoms of iodine poisoning can vary depending on the severity of the incident. In the initial stages, a person may feel nauseous. In severe cases of poisoning, uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhea can occur. Poisoning can also cause cough, fever, thirst and stomach pain. While these symptoms are generally considered common, they can still be dangerous if they occur with other potentially life-threatening conditions.
Although death tends to be considered relatively rare in iodine poisoning, the condition can become serious and life-threatening. One of the most serious symptoms is seizures. If a person starts convulsing and loses consciousness, vomiting can become extremely dangerous because it could pose a choking hazard, especially if the person is alone when it occurs. Other serious symptoms that may occur include difficulty breathing, shock, inability to urinate, and delirium.
If you suspect iodine poisoning, it is generally recommended to seek immediate medical attention. A doctor will usually evaluate the patient to make sure their vital signs are healthy and then may provide the patient with oxygen if they are having difficulty breathing. To flush excess iodine from the system, a doctor may insert a tube into a patient’s stomach through the nose or mouth and give intravenous fluids into the stomach to remove the poison from the body. Recovery may vary depending on the severity of the poisoning and how quickly medical help was received, but death or permanent complications do not tend to occur after the poisoning incident.
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