What does the taste of iodine mean in the mouth?

An irreplaceable trace element - iodine - is of great importance for the human body. Hormones that contain iodine and are produced by the thyroid gland are responsible for vital functions: brain activity, metabolism, development and growth of a person. It is known that the taste of iodine in the mouth, which has a metallic character, can be caused by the excess of this element in the human body. The imbalance arises as a result of external income (with food or drugs), improper functioning of the thyroid gland (an excess of thyroid hormones, of which iodine is an integral part), iodine poisoning (harmful factors at work or environmental disturbance), and gastro- Intestinal tract and excretory systems of the body (liver, kidneys, sweat glands).

Natural iodine is good for health (according to WHO recommendations, the daily requirement is 150-300 μg), if taken in small amounts. Lack or excess of iodine can lead to problems, the consequences are especially severe for children. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to maintain a balanced level of iodine in the body. The sign of the appearance of excess is the taste of iodine in the mouth. Inclusion of fresh seafood and algae in the diet is unlikely to lead to imbalance and food poisoning, but there is a risk of a serious allergic reaction. This is due to the transfer of histamine from the bound to the free state, when there is an excess of iodine. A similar reaction is provoked by eating spoiled fish (especially the dark meat of fish such as tuna, mackerel, mackerel, mahi-mahi), resulting in a temporary metallic taste in the mouth. This type of food poisoning is called scombroid or histamine poisoning.

For certain diseases, iodine-containing drugs are prescribed : amiodarone, Lugol's solution, potassium iodide, radioactive iodine, iodine tincture and others. They are taken with ventricular arrhythmias, infections of the pharynx and larynx, with iodine deficiency, fungal lesions, for liquefaction of sputum in bronchi and airways, in thyroid radioiodide. The use of drugs in large doses can cause not only the taste of iodine in the mouth, but also abdominal pain, coughing, raving, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, difficulty in withdrawing urine, shock, shortness of breath, thirst, vomiting. In this case, seek medical advice immediately. The approximate fatal dose is 2000 mg of iodine.

In modern diagnostics, the use of iodine-containing substances as radiopaque preparations and ultrasound contrast media is common. They are used to improve photos inside the body during X-ray, magnetic resonance (MRT) and computer (CT) tomography studies, as well as ultrasound. Contrasting materials, including the natural chemical element iodine, can detect anomalies. They are injected into veins or arteries, into discs or fluid spaces of the spine and other body cavities in which contrasts block or limit the penetration capacity of X-rays or ultrasound waves. As a result, blood vessels, organs and other body tissues that temporarily contain contrast based on iodine change their appearance. However, an overabundance of iodine in the body causes negative consequences of varying severity.

The use of contrast agents based on iodine can cause mild reactions, such as nausea and vomiting, headache, itching, a mild rash on the skin. There are also moderate reactions: severe skin rash or urticaria, rales, heart rhythm disturbances, high or low blood pressure, shortness of breath or shortness of breath. Severe reactions include: shortness of breath, heart failure, swelling of the throat or other parts of the body, convulsions, low blood pressure. Once the iodine-based contrast agent is injected into the blood, a person feels (for several minutes) a flush of heat and a taste of iodine in the mouth. A very small percentage of patients develop a delayed-type reaction (with a rash), which after a study lasts up to several days. Most have minor consequences, but a severe form of rash may require treatment under the supervision of a doctor.

Excessive intake, when there is a taste of iodine in the mouth, is observed less often than its deficiency. Safe is the daily dose, not exceeding 500 mcg. According to GN 2.2.5.1313-03 the maximum permissible concentration of iodine in the air of the working area should not be above 1 mg / m3. The greatest amount of iodine is obtained by people living on the seashore and consuming seafood in large quantities. With the imposition of adverse environmental or production factors on natural conditions, the risk of toxic effects of iodine on people, manifested in acute or chronic poisoning (the latter accumulates over the years) increases. As a result, both oppression and increased functions of the thyroid gland can occur.