Research progress of oral inorganic iodine for Graves' disease

Iodine is one of the important trace elements in the human body and the basic raw material for thyroid hormone synthesis. Oral inorganic iodine is divided into dietary and therapeutic iodine and is closely related to thyroid immunity and metabolism. Graves' disease (GD), also known as diffuse toxic goitre, is characterised by hyperthyroidism and high iodine metabolism. Clinically, we often advise patients with GD to limit or avoid iodine diet. The latest research progress shows that the interference of dietary iodine in antithyroid drug therapy may be overestimated, and strict restriction of inorganic iodine before radioactive iodine therapy and the use of inorganic iodine compulsorily before elective surgery are unnecessary. In addition, inorganic iodine can be used as a therapeutic drug for GD, and its exploratory application in patients with mild hyperthyroidism, low thyroid autoantibody concentration, small thyroid volume and high iodine diet has shown good results. When traditional antithyroid drugs have side effects, and patients still prefer conservative treatment, inorganic iodine may be an alternative. Given its low teratogenicity, blood toxicity and bone marrow toxicity, inorganic iodine can play a unique role in special groups, such as patients in pregnancy, lactation and tumour radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This paper summarises the research progress, biological function, applicable population and application under specific circumstances of dietary and therapeutic iodine to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of GD, enrich the diagnosis and treatment strategies of GD patients and further improve the quality of life of GD patients.