nutritional disorders
Iodine Deficiency
Treatment of Iodine Deficiency
Iodide with or withoutlevothyroxine Infants with iodine deficiency are givenlevothyroxine3 mcg/kg orally once a day for a week plus iodide 50 to 90 mcg orally once a day for several weeks to quickly restore a euthyroid state. Children are treated with iodide 90 to 120 mcg once a day and are givenlevothyroxineuntil able to synthesize T4. Adults are given iodide 150 mcg once a day. Iodine deficiency can also be treated by givinglevothyroxine. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should ingest iodide 250 mcg once a day. Serum TSH levels are monitored in all patients until the levels are normal (ie,<5 mcIU/mL). 