IODINE - Big Medical Encyclopedia. Iodine. properties of iodine. The use of iodine

In this article, we will consider how iodine can be used, study the instructions for use, find out what varieties this drug has, in what cases they are used.

Iodine solution

Almost everyone knows that iodine has antimicrobial properties. For a solution of iodine, the instructions for use indicate that it is characterized by a pronounced local irritant effect. If it has a high concentration, it can have a cauterizing effect.

The use of iodine topically is due to the fact that it tends to precipitate proteins. If there is not enough iodine in the human body, there is a violation of the synthesis of thyroid hormones. In the presence of a disease such as atherosclerosis, it can cause a slight decrease in the concentration of cholesterol and beta-lipoproteins in the blood.

However, the solution has some other properties. For example, according to the instructions for use for iodine, it is able to increase the fibrinolytic and lipoproteinase activity of blood serum. It is also able to reduce the rate of blood clotting.

Ways to use iodine solution

In accordance with the instructions, the skin is most often treated with an iodine solution if they are damaged.

Dosage for oral administration should be set individually, in accordance with the indications, the age of the patient.

It is possible to use this drug topically for procedures for washing lacunae and supratonsillar spaces. A similar procedure is carried out 4-5 times at intervals of 2-3 days.

An iodine solution can be used to irrigate the nasopharynx. In this case, the procedures are prescribed twice a week and repeated for three months.

This tool can be used for instillation into the ear or for washing. Such procedures are carried out no longer than four weeks. For burns and surgical interventions, iodine is used to moisten gauze pads, which are then applied to the affected surfaces.

This confirms the instructions for use for iodine.

"Iodine asset"

Reviews of doctors indicate that iodine in the composition of this drug is well absorbed by the body, if there is a lack of it. Otherwise, when the body is oversaturated with this substance, it is fairly quickly excreted bypassing the thyroid gland.

A similar effect is due to the fact that iodine tends to separate from milk protein under the influence of liver enzymes, which are released in case of its deficiency. When there is an excess of iodine in the human body, liver enzymes are not produced, and in this case the drug is excreted, bypassing the process of absorption into the blood. This is confirmed by the instructions for use for "Iodine-active".

Release form, indications and contraindications, composition

"Iodine-active" is available in the form of tablets. In addition to the substance itself, it contains skimmed milk in dry form, iodocasein and lactose.

This drug is prescribed to patients with manifestations of iodine deficiency or to reduce the risk of diseases that are associated with it. The drug is contraindicated for use if there is an individual sensitivity to the components that make up its composition.

Means for use by adults and children over 14 years of age is prescribed in a dosage of 1-2 tablets once a day, which should be drunk at the same time as meals.

We reviewed the instructions for use for "Iodine-active".

"Povidone-iodine", an antiseptic drug

Instructions for use of this drug contains information that the active substance in its composition is iodine. Additional substances: glycerin, citric acid, nonoxynol, sodium hydroxide, disodium hydrogen phosphate, water, macrogol.

This drug has several forms of release. So, the manufacturer offers "Povidone-iodine" in the form of a ten- and seven-percent solution, which is used for external use, in the form of suppositories, ointments and concentrates, from which you can prepare a solution yourself.

Indications

Indications for use depend on the form of release of "Povidone-iodine" (the description is presented above). It can be used to treat burns, infectious wounds, abrasions, bedsores, dermatitis, fungal skin lesions, trophic ulcers, and bad breath. It can be used as a disinfectant.

Mode of application

Instructions for use says that this medication is used to wash wounds or lubricate them. You can apply additional gauze bandages, which are pre-soaked in a solution of the drug. When using medication for drainage systems, it must first be diluted with water. "Povidone-iodine" in the form of suppositories is used intravaginally. In this case, the dosage and treatment regimen should be set individually and only by the attending physician.

"Potassium iodide"

"Potassium iodide" is produced by the manufacturer in three forms: in tablets, in drops and in the form of a solution. This drug is used in the treatment of diseases such as hyperthyroidism and endemic goiter. It is often prescribed in the period of preparation for operations in patients with a pronounced form of thyrotoxicosis.

"Potassium iodide" can be used to prevent various pathologies of the thyroid gland, which was affected by radiation. In the treatment of syphilitic manifestations, this drug can be used as an adjuvant.

This medicine should be taken by mouth. It is important to drink it with very sweet tea, jelly or milk. This is done to prevent irritation of the digestive tract.

For those patients who suffer from endemic goiter, the drug is prescribed at a dosage of 0.04 grams once a week. If diffuse goiter occurs, potassium iodide is taken in the same dosage, but three times a day. Further, the dosage should be increased to 0.125 grams and take this amount of medication twice a day. As a rule, the course of treatment of such diseases averages 20 days.

Doctors may prescribe a 1-3% solution of a sputum thinner. Then you should take three large spoons of the solution three times a day.

"Blue iodine": application

The instructions for the drug indicate that it has an irritating, antiseptic effect. Used in many areas. An aqueous solution of blue iodine can be used to treat diseases such as:

• Respiratory inflammation, dysentery, alcohol intoxication, acne, hepatitis, colitis.
• Pneumonia, flatulence, conjunctivitis, hemorrhoids, bronchitis, wounds and ulcers on the skin.
• Food poisoning, periodontal disease, dysbacteriosis, chlamydia, stomach ulcers.
• Increased excitability, salmonellosis, trichomoniasis, iodine deficiency, ulcerative erosions in the oral cavity, fungal infections.
• Gynecological diseases, alveolitis, hormonal imbalance, stomatitis, immune pathologies.
• Disc and arborescent keratitis, vascular atherosclerosis, tonsillitis, mastitis, pustular diseases of the skin.

Usage

If blue iodine is used as a preventive measure, then it should be taken in 4 tablespoons (dessert), after diluting with water in a volume of 200 ml. You need to drink it twice a day for three months.

If necessary, the dose of the drug can be increased.

For the drug "Blue Iodine" instructions for use allow it to be mixed with warm green tea or with non-acidic natural juice. This is done in order to improve its taste.

Contraindications

"Blue iodine" is contraindicated to take:

• With the simultaneous administration of drugs, which include thyroxine.
• With manifestations of hypotension or simultaneously with drugs that reduce blood pressure.
• If the thyroid gland has been removed (partially or completely).
• With thrombophlebitis.
• With diseases of oncological nature.
• With autoimmune disorders.

"Iodine monochloride"

To the medication "Iodine monochloride" instructions for use confirm that it is a good antiseptic. Its antimicrobial action is as follows:

• Destroys tuberculosis bacteria, various viruses and fungi.
• Kills bacterial spores, anaerobic bacteria, eggs of a number of helminths, as well as coccidia oocysts.

They treat ringworm in animals, treat the udder of cows as an antiseptic. Also, the solution in the form of an aerosol is sprayed into the air in livestock buildings and poultry farms (in the absence of animals and birds) for prevention and forced disinfection. This is described for "Iodine monochloride" in the instructions for use.

"Humate 7 + Iodine"

To the means "Humate + iodine" instructions for use indicate that this is a fertilizer that is used to strengthen seedlings, to soak seeds before sowing, to improve soil quality. The germination and energy of seed germination increases, the structure improves and soil fertility increases, high yields are ensured, and the accumulation of nutrients and vitamins by fruits increases. How to dilute the drug correctly, will tell you the instructions for use for "Humate + Iodine".

Prices

• "Iodine Active" costs about 130 rubles in pharmacies.
• "Humate + iodine" 25 g costs 25 rubles.
• Canister "Iodine monochloride" 3 l - 845 rubles.
• "Blue iodine", 500 ml - 420 rubles.
• A solution of iodine 25 ml can be purchased for 20 rubles.
• "Povidone iodine" - 56 rubles. 50 kop.

Crystalline iodine is an important but dangerous chemical reagent.

It is impossible to imagine a modern laboratory or a laboratory of past centuries without all kinds of glassware , laboratory equipment and instruments, chemicals, rubber products. Among this list, perhaps the most important are chemical reagents: without them, no analysis, research, experience is possible. All kinds of dishes made of quartz, borosilicate, laboratory glass, plastic, porcelain and other materials, as well as equipment and instruments - these are the auxiliary elements that allow you to perform any operation with a chemical or a mixture of them.

Among the huge list of chemical reagents used in laboratory conditions, crystalline iodine occupies a special place. It looks like a solid crystalline substance of black-gray color with a purple metallic luster and a specific pungent odor. Quite often in chemical nomenclature it is simply called iodine. At room temperature - dark purple crystals with a slight tint. When heated, the substance forms violet vapors, when cooled - crystals, bypassing the liquid state. The substance is readily soluble in ether, alcohol, aqueous solutions of sodium and potassium iodides, poorly soluble in water.

This chemical reagent has a unique property - dispersion in nature. It is found almost everywhere: in sea water, living organisms, algae (seaweed). In a free state, it is found as a rare mineral in Italy on the island of Vulcano. Under industrial conditions, iodine is mined in oil drilling waters, obtained from seaweed, sodium nitrate, etc.

Application

One of the main branches of application of iodine has been and remains medicine and pharmaceuticals. In medical practice, in the form of a 5% alcohol solution, it is used as a disinfectant and antimicrobial agent for the treatment of lacerated, incised wounds. Despite the fact that iodine is very important for the normal functioning of the body, it is forbidden to take it orally. To replenish iodine in the body, it is recommended to consume iodine-containing foods: seafood (mussels, squid, sea kale, fish), eggs, beef, milk, cereals, vegetables and fruits. A large amount of iodine is found in walnuts, especially in young (dairy). In pharmacology, this substance is part of many medicinal and veterinary drugs: antiseptic ointments, patches.

In technical production, this chemical element is used in the manufacture of lithium-iodine batteries, iodine lamps, in electronics - in the production of liquid crystal monitors.

In forensics, vapors of substances are used to detect fingerprints on paper surfaces.

The importance of iodine for the body

In humans and animals, iodine is part of the hormones (thyroxine and triidthyronine), which are produced by the thyroid gland. These hormones are responsible for the growth, metabolism and development of the body. The daily dose of iodine for a person depends on age, body weight and physiological state, for an average person it is about 0.15 mg. The lack of this chemical reagent can cause many cardiovascular, renal, thyroid diseases, such as cretinism, endemic goiter, hypothyroidism and others.

Despite the importance of iodine, do not forget that it is poisonous. The lethal dose is 3 g. If its vapors are inhaled, there may be a headache, cough, pulmonary edema, runny nose; in case of contact with mucous membranes - redness, lacrimation; when ingested - high fever, weakness, vomiting, heart pain. Not timely treatment of symptoms caused by direct contact with iodine can cause complications, even with a fatal outcome.

In order to avoid negative consequences caused by a chemical element, precautions must be taken when working with it. To prevent direct contact, carry out work in a protective mask, apron, nitrile gloves or gloved examination.

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Physical and chemical properties

In the periodic table, iodine is number 53 and belongs to the group of non-metals. The accepted designation of the halogen is I (diatomic molecule I2). Under normal conditions, it is a powder with a crystalline structure. Varies from purple to black-gray with metallic reflections. When heated, concentrated violet vapors are released. After cooling, the iodine crystallizes again, bypassing the liquid form. To obtain liquid iodine, it is heated under high pressure. The substance has a specific smell. In water, iodine is almost insoluble only in alcohol.

Iodine has only one isotope - 127. There is also a radioactive variety - the 131 isotope, which, when ingested, affects the thyroid gland and disrupts internal processes. One of the most common reactions of simple substances to iodine - when it comes into contact with starch, it acquires a blue tint. When iodine reacts with metals, it forms salts. Of these, it can be displaced by the halogens of its group. The strong hydroiodic acid HJ is also known.

Despite the fact that iodine is found everywhere, it is considered a rare chemical element, because its concentration in the earth's crust is low. In ocean waters, for example, iodine is present at a concentration of 20-30 mg/t. As an independent mineral, it can be found in some thermal springs of volcanoes in Italy. Deposits of iodides are found in Japan and Chile. The most famous iodates are myersite, lautarite, embolite, iodine bromite. In Russia, iodine is obtained by processing some algae. This method is considered expensive.

The role of iodine in the human body

Scientists have calculated that a person consumes iodine in small doses. In a lifetime, not even a teaspoon of a substance in its pure form will be typed. The body retains a reserve of 15-20 mg of iodine. It accumulates mainly in the thyroid gland. The mineral is absorbed in the small intestine, fully enters the blood after 2 hours. Also, a small amount of iodine accumulates in the kidneys, stomach, liver and mammary glands. The main part is excreted in the urine, but salivary and sweat glands can also be involved.

The value of iodine for the human body:

• Participates in the synthesis of thyroxine - a thyroid hormone, out of 4 atoms 3 are iodine atoms. Thyroid hormones are involved in many processes: the synthesis of RNA (ribonucleic acid), improving metabolism, providing cells with oxygen, gas and electrolyte metabolism, and reducing harmful cholesterol in the blood.
• Iodine is also very important at the stage of embryo laying. He is actively involved in the maturation of all systems and organs. First of all, musculoskeletal, nervous and cardiovascular. It has been proven that thyroid hormones are also responsible for the formation of the brain. In particular, departments that will be responsible for intellectual development in the future.
• Iodine is essential for the immune system. It helps to maintain the balance of substances that protect the body from infections.
• Participates in the synthesis of red blood cells, stimulates metabolic processes in the bone marrow.
• Improves the condition of blood vessels, prevents the development of diastolic hypertension.
• Takes part in the normalization of hormones of the reproductive system. With the onset of pregnancy, it stimulates the development of the corpus luteum in the ovary.
• Accelerates some chemical reactions occurring in the body.
• Without iodine, it would be difficult to maintain a stable body temperature.
• Iodine is needed for the body to assimilate certain vitamins and minerals, for normal mental activity.
• Accelerates fat burning. It has been proven that if the body receives enough iodine, the diet gives better results.
• Improves performance, eliminates irritability.
• Needed for the normal condition of hair, skin and nails.

Due to a lack of iodine, pathology of the thyroid gland can develop, which will affect the general condition of the body. For the fetus, iodine deficiency is extremely dangerous: it can cause developmental disorders, deformity, stillbirth.

Iodine is actively used to treat many diseases, namely:

• To prevent the occurrence of endemic goiter.
• For the treatment of eye diseases (potassium iodide is part of eye drops).
• To reduce the intoxication of the body with heavy metals (mercury, lead, etc.), radiation.
• For the treatment of atherosclerosis (reduces cholesterol levels).
• With diseases of the respiratory system (take drugs orally, do inhalation, irrigation).
• With fungal and infectious lesions of the skin and hair.
• For the treatment of inflammation of the genitourinary system (baths, douching, preparations with iodine).
• The affected skin and mucous membranes are treated with an alcohol solution.
• Iodine nets are also effective - they improve blood circulation, expand capillaries. Such meshes are used to treat diseases of the respiratory and nervous systems. With lesions of muscles and joints, iodine nets are also indicated.

The so-called "blue iodine" has found wide application. The mixture is used to enhance the functioning of the thyroid gland.

To prepare it, add 10 g of potato starch (about a teaspoon with a slide) to 50 ml of water and mix well. Pour 10 g of granulated sugar and 0.4 g of citric acid (several crystals) into the resulting mixture. The prepared solution is poured into 150 ml of boiling water, while stirring slowly. Next, the product must be cooled to room temperature and pour 1 teaspoon of 5% alcohol solution of iodine into it. The mixture will instantly acquire a characteristic blue color.

The composition is stored for several months, has good medicinal properties and is less toxic than ordinary iodine.

Main sources of iodine

This valuable trace element enters the body only from the outside:

• We get 3-5% of the required norm with drinking water, 3-5% - with air.
• Up to 60% - with products of animal origin, up to 30% - with plant products.

Interesting! The concentration of iodine in the blood is called the "iodine mirror" (Table 1). It should be in the range of 5-10 or 6-10%. The highest iodine content is recorded from May to September, when there is no shortage of fresh vegetables and fruits.

Table 1. Daily intake of iodine

Animal sources of iodine (Table 2):

• Seaweed (especially red and brown).
• Shrimp, shellfish.
• Sea salt.
• Marine fish (halibut, herring, tuna, salmon, sardine, cod, haddock). Freshwater fish also have iodine, but its concentration is much lower.
• Eggs, milk, cottage cheese, cheese, beef liver.

Plant sources of iodine (Table 2):

• Vegetables: beets, carrots, spinach, onions, white cabbage. As well as tomato, potatoes, beans, lettuce, asparagus, radishes.
• Fruits: persimmon, cherry, plum, apricot, apple, banana, pineapple, melon.
• Berries.
• Nuts (cedar and walnuts).
• Cereals: millet, buckwheat, oats.
• Champignons.

Table 2. Iodine content in products

Expert advice. During heat treatment, up to 50% of iodine is lost from food. Try to eat more low-salted fish, nuts, fresh vegetables and fruits

It is necessary to cook vegetables whole or coarsely chopped, do not boil food for a long time, cook over low heat with the lid closed.

Iodized salt will also help eliminate iodine deficiency, but there are a few nuances that you need to know:

• It should be added to the dish before consumption, and not during boiling: almost all iodine disappears when heated.
• Iodized salt is not suitable for pickling or pickling: it gives the finished dish a bitter aftertaste.
• Pay attention to the date of manufacture of the salt. It retains properties for up to six months from the moment of packaging.
• Store salt properly: in a dry place, closed from sunlight.

Important! Abuse of iodine is fraught with many troubles. The lethal dose is 3 grams, and the entire body is affected. Be careful about dosages and taking auxiliary drugs

Iodine and other elements

Basically, iodine combines well with other elements, but there are substances with which it is not absorbed:

• Other halogens (especially fluorine, bromine and chlorine) are able to displace iodine from various compounds. The use of chlorinated water, fluoride-containing drugs can cause iodine deficiency.
• Some vegetables contain substances that block the absorption of iodine and should not be eaten if you are taking iodine supplements. These are mustard, turnip, cabbage (cauliflower and red), radish, soybeans, swede.
• Some medications also prevent iodine from being absorbed: Streptomycin, Cordarone, Penicillin, Sulfanilamide, Aspirin, hormonal drugs.
• Iodine goes well with zinc, cobalt, iron, manganese, copper and selenium.

The value of iodine during pregnancy

During pregnancy, doctors often prescribe iodine-containing drugs, because this element plays a very important role in the body:

• Iodine deficiency in the early stages can cause miscarriage.
• In a newborn child, hypothyroidism is fraught with jaundice, lethargy, and poor weight gain.
• In pregnant women, due to a lack of iodine, mental activity decreases, weight fluctuations and swelling begin.
• Immunity decreases, the condition of hair, nails and skin worsens (rashes, acne, age spots appear).
• Depressive states can also be caused by iodine deficiency.
• The development of the fetal nervous system depends on the amount of this element. With a serious deficiency, malformations and developmental delays may occur.
• The musculoskeletal system also changes: the skeleton may not form correctly.
• With intrauterine deficiency in the fetus, hypoxia is observed and the risk of complications after childbirth increases.
• In severe cases, hypovitaminosis can cause pregnancy to fail and stillbirth.
• During lactation, the amount of breast milk may decrease.

The difficulty is that it is not easy to notice a lack of iodine. It may not show visible signs, and fatigue and reduced immunity are often attributed to pregnancy. Do not neglect visits to the endocrinologist and blood tests for hormones - this is the only chance to notice the problem in time and prevent complications.

Patients with thyroid pathologies should be extremely attentive to their health. The minimum dosage of iodine for a pregnant woman is 250 mcg. During planning, it is enough to take 100-150 mcg. During lactation 180-200 mcg.

The main contraindications to taking iodine-containing drugs are:

• Allergic reactions and individual intolerance.
• Kidney disease.
• Diseases of the liver.
• Hyperthyroidism.

Only a doctor should prescribe the dosage of the drug based on tests and examination. Do not self-medicate. Unlike many substances, iodine can be toxic.

Deficiency and excess of iodine in the body

Hypovitaminosis is not such a rare occurrence. According to health statistics, more than a billion people on the planet are deficient in iodine. This affects not only third world countries, but also progressive states. Most often, residents of regions remote from the sea or ocean suffer from a lack of this element.

It can be argued that the body is deficient in iodine if less than 10 micrograms of iodine is supplied with food. By the way, in many countries, even vegetation experiences a lack of iodine, since instead of the prescribed 1 mg / kg of land, it contains no more than 10 mcg.

Factors that contribute to the development of deficiency:

• Unbalanced diet (complete lack of seafood and fish).
• Lack of iodine prophylaxis in regions remote from the sea.
• If the person is a vegan or vegetarian.
• If the food contains heavy metals (chlorine, bromine, lead, calcium), which prevent the absorption of iodine.
• Iodine deficiency is often observed in people suffering from thyroid disease.
• Tendency to allergic reactions.
• High level of radiation in the region.

How iodine deficiency manifests itself:

• Hormonal imbalance, goiter formation, in complex cases Graves' disease.
• Hypothyroidism in children, myxedema in adults.
• General weakness, apathy, deterioration of mental and physical activity.
• Decreased concentration.
• The appearance of edema of the limbs and face.
• Overweight, increased blood cholesterol levels.
• Digestive problems.

If the child does not have enough iodine, there may be lags in mental and physical development. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy affects the embryo. Perhaps premature interruption, pathology of the fetus. In an adult, hormonal levels and thyroid function are primarily disturbed. There are failures of metabolic processes, thyroid hormones are not synthesized.

Advice! How to check if you are iodine deficient? Moisten a cotton swab in an alcohol solution of iodine and draw three parallel lines on the forearm, 5-6 cm long. One is very thin, the second is of medium thickness and the third is saturated. If in the morning you notice the disappearance of only the weakest strip, your body has enough of this substance. If only the thickest line is noticeable, it is worth reviewing the diet and including iodine-containing foods in it. But the disappearance of three bands is an alarming symptom. It is worth visiting an endocrinologist and drinking a course of special drugs

Excess iodine in the body is diagnosed much less frequently, but it is worth remembering that it is very dangerous. Frequent use of high dosages (400-500 mg per day) can cause death. Causes of excess iodine:

• Violation of metabolic processes.
• Accidental use of a large amount of the drug.
• Dietary intake (very rare).

Symptoms of an excess of iodine:

• Dysfunction of the thyroid gland.
• Iododerma and iodism (inflammation of the salivary glands, sinuses, mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract).
• Skin rashes, acne, numbness of some areas.
• Severe pain, tachycardia.
• Depression, fatigue.

If the poisoning is acute, vomiting is added to this, the appearance of a brownish coating on the tongue, an increase in the pulse, and the temperature rises. If medical care is not provided on time, after 1-2 days, acute renal failure occurs, heart problems, and there is a high probability of death.

Important! If there is a risk that someone close to you has poisoned yourself with iodine, call an ambulance and do a gastric lavage

The trace element is available in several forms:

• Organic iodine (alcohol solution 5 or 10%).
• Inorganic (drugs sodium iodide or potassium iodide).
• Dietary supplements and vitamin complexes (included in the composition in small quantities).
• X-ray contrast agents with iodine.

The most popular drugs:

• Iodine active. Tablet form of iodine, 50 pieces per pack, dosage 100 mcg. Refers to dietary supplements.
• Iodomarin. Sold in a dosage of 100 and 200 mcg. White tablets with a slight yellowish tint. Pack of 50 or 100 pieces.
• potassium iodide. Contains 100-130 micrograms of iodine. Combined with potassium, as it increases its solubility in water and absorbability.
• Gypsy. Contains 100 micrograms of iodine plus reindeer antler supplement. Improves the functioning of the endocrine system as a whole.
• Zobofit. Additionally enriched with herbal extracts and iodine. Taken as a food supplement. Suitable for complex treatment of thyroid diseases.

Antistrumine, marine calcium, Endocrinol, Vitrum Iodine, Iodostin, Iodbalance, Microiodide, ShitoVit are also popular. In medium dosages, iodine is included in the vitamin complexes Vitrum, Centrum, Supradin, Vitamax, etc.

Contraindications for taking drugs:

• Individual intolerance to the microelement.
• Diffuse toxic goiter.
• Tuberculosis.
• Hemorrhagic diathesis.
• Duhring's dermatitis.
• Chronic kidney disease, pyoderma.

For prevention, iodine-containing drugs are taken in courses of 2-3 months at a dosage of up to 200 mcg. In regions where there is a clear iodine deficiency, such supplements can be taken continuously. Before taking it, you should take tests and consult a doctor. Excessive dosage can harm the body.

Most often, children and adolescents suffer from iodine deficiency. How to make up for the deficiency of the substance correctly and not harm your health? Watch the transfer of Dr. Komarovsky in the video below.

The horizon is getting better. Salt and iodine in the air.

Where can I get iodine in the air?

Iodine is a rather rare element: there is very little of it in the earth's crust - only 0.00005%, which is four times less than arsenic, five times less than bromine. Iodine belongs to the halogens (in Greek hals - salt, genos - origin). Indeed, in nature, all halogens occur exclusively in the form of salts. But if the minerals of fluorine and chlorine are very common, then the own minerals of iodine (lautarite Ca(IO 3) 2, iodargyrite AgI) are extremely rare. Usually iodine occurs among other salts as an impurity. An example is natural sodium nitrate - Chilean nitrate, in which there is an admixture of sodium iodate NaIO 3. Deposits of Chilean saltpeter began to be developed in the early 19th century. After the rock was dissolved in hot water, the solution was filtered and cooled. At the same time, pure sodium nitrate precipitated, which was sold as a fertilizer. Iodine was extracted from the solution remaining after crystallization. In the 19th century, Chile became the main supplier of this rare element.

Sodium iodate is quite soluble in water: 9.5 g per 100 g of water at 25 ° C. Sodium iodide NaI dissolves much better: 184 g per 100 g of water! Iodine in rocks is most often in the form of easily soluble inorganic salts and therefore can be leached from them by groundwater. And then it gets into rivers, seas and oceans, where it accumulates by some organisms, including algae. For example, 1 kg of dried seaweed (kelp) contains 5 g of iodine, while 1 kg of sea water contains only 0.025 mg, that is, 200 thousand times less! It is not for nothing that in some countries iodine is still extracted from kelp, and the sea air (which Brodsky had in mind) has a special smell; sea ​​salt also always has a little iodine. The winds that carry air masses from the ocean to the mainland also carry iodine. In coastal areas, the amount of iodine in 1 cu. m of air can reach 50 micrograms, while in continental and mountainous areas it is only 1 or even 0.2 micrograms.

Now iodine is extracted mainly from the waters of oil and gas fields, and the need for it is quite large. More than 15,000 tons of iodine are mined annually around the world.

Discovery and properties of iodine.

For the first time, iodine was obtained from the ashes of seaweed by the French chemist Bernard Courtois in 1811. Here is how he described the properties of the element he discovered: “The new substance precipitates in the form of a black powder, which turns into vapors of a magnificent violet color when heated. These vapors condense in the form of brilliant crystalline plates with brilliance ... The amazing color of the vapors of the new substance makes it possible to distinguish it from all hitherto known substances ... ". Iodine got its name from the color of the vapors: in Greek, “iodes” means purple.

Courtois observed another unusual phenomenon: solid iodine did not melt when heated, but immediately turned into steam; this process is called sublimation. D.I. Mendeleev in his chemistry textbook describes this process as follows: “To purify iodine, it is sublimated ... iodine passes directly from the vapor into a crystalline state and sits in the cooled parts of the apparatus in the form of lamellar crystals that have a blackish-gray color and a metallic shine". But if iodine crystals are heated in a test tube quickly (or do not let iodine vapor escape), then at a temperature of 113 ° C, iodine will melt, turning into a black-violet liquid. This is explained by the fact that at the melting point the vapor pressure of iodine is high - about 100 mm of mercury (1.3 × 10 4 Pa). And if there is not enough of its vapor above the heated solid iodine, then it will evaporate faster than it will melt.

In its pure form, iodine is black-gray heavy (density 4.94 g / cm 3) crystals with a purple metallic sheen. Why is iodine tincture not purple? It turns out that in different solvents iodine has a different color: in water it is yellow, in gasoline, carbon tetrachloride CCl 4, many other so-called "inert" solvents have a purple color - exactly the same as that of iodine vapor. A solution of iodine in benzene, alcohol and a number of other solvents has a brown-brown color (as in iodine tincture); in an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (-CH 2 -CH (OH) -) n iodine has a bright blue color (this solution is used in medicine as a disinfectant called "iodinol", they gargle, wash wounds). And here's what is curious: the reactivity of iodine in "multi-colored" solutions is not the same! So, in brown solutions, iodine is much more active than in purple ones. If copper powder or a sheet of thin copper foil is added to a 1% brown solution, it will become colorless in 1–2 minutes as a result of the reaction 2Cu + I 2 ® 2CuI. The violet solution will remain unchanged under these conditions for several tens of minutes. Calomel (Hg 2 Cl 2) decolorizes a brown solution in a few seconds, and violet in only two minutes. These experiments are explained by the fact that iodine molecules can interact with solvent molecules, forming complexes in which iodine is more active.

A blue color also appears when iodine interacts with starch. This can be verified by dropping iodine tincture on a slice of potato or on a piece of white bread. This reaction is so sensitive that with the help of iodine it is easy to detect starch on a fresh cut of a potato or in flour. Back in the 19th century. this reaction was used to convict unscrupulous merchants who added wheat flour to sour cream "for density". If a sample of such sour cream is dripped with iodine tincture, blue staining will immediately reveal fraud.

To remove the stain from iodine tincture, you must use a solution of sodium thiosulfate, which is used in photography and is sold in photographic stores (it is also called "fixer" and "hyposulfite"). Thiosulfate instantly reacts with iodine, completely discoloring it: I 2 + 2Na 2 S 2 O 3 ® 2NaI + Na 2 S 4 O 6. It is enough to wipe the skin or fabric stained with iodine with an aqueous solution of thiosulfate, as the yellow-brown spot will immediately disappear.

Iodine in the first aid kit.

In the mind of an ordinary person (not a chemist), the word "iodine" is associated with a bottle that is in the first aid kit. In fact, the vial contains not iodine, but iodine tincture - a 5% solution of iodine in a mixture of alcohol and water (potassium iodide is also added to the tincture; it is needed so that iodine dissolves better). Previously, iodoform (triiodomethane CHI 3), a disinfectant with an unpleasant odor, was also widely used in medicine. Preparations containing iodine have antibacterial and antifungal properties, they also have an anti-inflammatory effect; they are used externally for the disinfection of wounds, in the preparation of operations.

Iodine is poisonous. Even such a familiar iodine tincture, when inhaled, affects the upper respiratory tract, and when ingested, causes severe burns of the digestive tract. Prolonged administration of iodine into the body, as well as hypersensitivity to it, can cause a runny nose, urticaria, salivation and lacrimation, and acne.

Iodine in the body.

Here are the lines of another poet - Bella Akhmadulina:

...Either a strong spirit ordered to look for an outcome,

Is it a weakness of the thyroid gland

begging for bitter dainties of iodine?

Why does the thyroid gland need this “delicacy”?

As a rule, only the "light" elements that are in the first third of the periodic table participate in biochemical processes. Almost the only exception to this rule is iodine. A person contains about 20 to 50 mg of iodine, a significant part of which is concentrated in the thyroid gland (the rest of the iodine is in the blood plasma and muscles).

The thyroid gland was already known to ancient doctors, who deservedly attributed to it an important role in the body. In shape, it looks like a bow tie, i.e. consists of two lobes connected by an isthmus. The thyroid gland secretes hormones into the blood that have a very versatile effect on the body. Two of them contain iodine - this is thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid gland regulates the development and growth of both individual organs and the whole organism as a whole, adjusts the speed of metabolic processes.

In food and drinking water, iodine is found in the form of hydroiodic acid salts - iodides, from which it is easily absorbed in the anterior sections of the small intestine. From the intestine, iodine passes into the blood plasma, from where it is eagerly absorbed by the thyroid gland. There it turns into the most important thyroid hormones for the body (from the Greek thyreoeides - thyroid). This process is complex. First, ions I - are enzymatically oxidized to I +. These cations react with the protein thyroglobulin, which contains many residues of the amino acid tyrosine. Under the action of the enzyme iodinase, iodination of the benzene rings of tyrosine occurs, followed by the formation of thyroid hormones. Currently, they are obtained synthetically, and in structure and action they are no different from natural ones.

If the synthesis of thyroid hormones slows down, the person develops a goiter. The disease is caused by a lack of iodine in the soil, water and, consequently, in plants, animals and locally produced foods. Such a goiter is called endemic, i.e. characteristic of the area (from the Greek endemos - local). Areas with iodine deficiency are quite common. As a rule, these are areas remote from the ocean or fenced off from sea winds by mountains. Thus, a significant part of the soil of the globe is poor in iodine, respectively, food products are poor in iodine. In Russia, iodine deficiency occurs in mountainous areas; extremely pronounced iodine deficiency was detected in the Republic of Tuva, as well as in Transbaikalia. There is not enough of it in the Urals, the Upper Volga, the Far East, the Mari and Chuvash Republics. Not everything is safe with iodine in a number of central regions - Tula, Bryansk, Kaluga, Oryol and other regions. In drinking water, plants and animals in these areas, the iodine content is reduced. The thyroid gland, as if compensating for the insufficient intake of iodine, grows - sometimes to such a size that the neck is deformed, blood vessels, nerves, and even the bronchi and esophagus are compressed. Endemic goiter is easy to prevent if you make up for iodine deficiency in the body.

With a lack of iodine during pregnancy in the mother, as well as in the first period of a child's life, growth slows down, mental activity decreases, cretinism, deaf-mutism and other severe developmental abnormalities may develop. Timely diagnosis helps to avoid these misfortunes by simply administering thyroxin.

Lack of iodine in adults leads to a decrease in heart rate and body temperature - patients feel chilly even in hot weather. Their immunity decreases, hair falls out, movement and even speech slow down, face and limbs swell, weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, memory impairment, indifference to the outside world are noted. The disease is also treated with T3 and T4 drugs. In this case, all of the above symptoms disappear.

Where to get iodine.

For the prevention of endemic goiter, iodine is introduced into food. The most common method is the iodization of table salt. Usually potassium iodide is introduced into it - about 25 mg per 1 kg. However, KI in humid warm air easily oxidizes to iodine, which volatilizes. This explains the short shelf life of such salt - only 6 months. Therefore, recently potassium iodide has been replaced by KIO 3 iodate. In addition to table salt, iodine is added to a number of vitamin mixtures.

Iodized foods are not needed for those who consume enough iodine through food and water. The need for iodine for an adult depends little on gender and age and is approximately 150 mcg per day (however, it increases during pregnancy, increased growth, and cooling). Most foods contain very little iodine. For example, in bread and pasta it is usually less than 5 micrograms; in vegetables and fruits - from 1-2 mcg in apples, pears and black currants to 5 mcg in potatoes and up to 7-8 mcg in radishes and grapes; in chickens and beef - up to 7 mcg. And this is per 100 g of dry product, i.e. ash! Moreover, during long-term storage or heat treatment, from 20 to 60% of iodine is lost. But fish, especially sea fish, are rich in iodine: in herring and pink salmon it is 40-50 mcg, in cod, pollock and hake - up to 140-160 (also per 100 g of dry product). There is much more iodine in cod liver - up to 800 micrograms, but especially a lot of it in brown seaweed - "seaweed" (aka kelp) - it can contain up to 500,000 micrograms of iodine! In our country, kelp grows in the White, Barents, Japan and Okhotsk seas.

Even in ancient China, seaweed successfully treated thyroid diseases. In the coastal regions of China, there was a tradition - after giving birth, women were given seaweed. At the same time, mother's milk was full, and the child grew up healthy. In the 13th century there was even a decree issued obliging all citizens to eat seaweed to promote health. Oriental healers claim that after 40 years, seaweed products must be present in the diet of even healthy people. By eating kelp, some explain the longevity of the Japanese, as well as the fact that after the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the number of deaths as a result of environmental pollution by radioactive substances was relatively small.

Iodine and radiation.

In nature, iodine is represented by the only stable isotope 127 I.

Artificial radioactive isotopes of iodine - 125 I, 131 I, 132 I and others are widely used in biology and, especially, in medicine to determine the functional state of the thyroid gland and treat a number of its diseases. The use of radioactive iodine in diagnostics is associated with the ability of iodine to selectively accumulate in the thyroid gland; use for medicinal purposes is based on the ability of radiation of iodine radioisotopes to destroy diseased gland cells.

When the environment is contaminated with nuclear fission products, radioactive isotopes of iodine are quickly included in the biological cycle, eventually getting into milk and, consequently, into the human body. So, many residents of the areas affected by the nuclear explosion in Chernobyl received a hefty dose of radioactive iodine-131 (half-life of 8 days) and damaged the thyroid gland. Most of the patients were in areas where there was little natural iodine and the inhabitants were not protected by “ordinary iodine”. “Radioiodine” is especially dangerous for children, whose thyroid gland is 10 times smaller than that of adults and has greater radiosensitivity, which can lead to thyroid cancer.

To protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine, it is recommended to use ordinary iodine preparations (100–200 mg per dose), which “blocks” the thyroid gland from radioiodine entering it. Radioactive iodine not absorbed by the thyroid gland is almost completely and relatively quickly excreted in the urine. Fortunately, radioactive iodine does not live long, and after 2-3 months it almost completely decays.

Iodine in technology.

Significant amounts of mined iodine are used to produce high purity metals. This purification method is based on the so-called halogen cycle, discovered in 1915 by the American physical chemist Irving Langmuir (1881–1957). The essence of the halogen cycle can be explained by the example of a modern method for producing high-purity metallic titanium. When titanium powder is heated in a vacuum in the presence of iodine to a temperature above 400 o C, gaseous titanium (IV) iodide is formed. It is passed over a titanium wire heated by a current up to 1100–1400 o C. At such a high temperature, TiI 4 cannot exist and decomposes into metallic titanium and iodine; pure titanium condenses on the wire in the form of beautiful crystals, and the released iodine can again react with titanium powder, turning it into volatile iodide. The iodide method can be used to purify various metals - copper, nickel, iron, chromium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, etc.

The same cycle is carried out in halogen lamps. In conventional lamps, the efficiency is extremely low: in a burning light bulb, almost all the electricity is converted not into light, but into heat. To increase the light output of the lamp, it is necessary to increase the temperature of its spiral as much as possible. But at the same time, the lamp life is significantly reduced: the spiral in it quickly burns out. If, however, a very small amount of iodine (or bromine) is introduced into the lamp bulb, then as a result of the halogen cycle, the tungsten that has evaporated from the spiral and settled on the inner surface of the glass bulb is again transferred to the spiral. In such a lamp, it is possible to significantly - by hundreds of degrees - increase the temperature of the spiral, bringing it to 3000 ° C, which doubles the light output. A powerful halogen lamp looks like a midget compared to a conventional lamp of the same power. For example, a 300 watt halogen lamp has a diameter of less than 1.5 cm.

An increase in the temperature of the coil inevitably leads to a stronger heating of the flasks in halogen lamps. Plain glass cannot withstand such temperatures, so you have to place the spiral in a quartz glass tube. The first patents for halogen lamps were issued only in 1949, and their industrial production was established even later. The technical development of quartz lamps with a self-healing tungsten filament was carried out in 1959 by the General Electric Company. In such lamps, the balloon can heat up to 1200 ° C! Halogen lamps have excellent light characteristics, so these lamps, despite their high cost, are widely used wherever a powerful and compact light source is needed - in movie projectors, car headlights, etc.

Iodine compounds are also used to make it rain. Rain, like snow, begins with the formation of tiny ice crystals in the clouds from water vapor. Further, these embryonic crystals grow rapidly, become heavy and fall out in the form of precipitation, turning, depending on weather conditions, into snow, rain or hail. If the air is absolutely clean, ice germs can form only at very low temperatures (below -30 o C). In the presence of certain substances, however, ice nuclei form at a much higher temperature. This can cause artificial snowfall (or rain).

One of the best seeds is silver iodide; in its presence, ice crystals begin to grow already at –9 o C. It is essential that even the smallest particles of silver iodide with a size of only 10 nm (1 nm = 10–9 m) can “work”. For comparison: the radii of silver and iodine ions are 0.15 and 0.22 nm, respectively. Theoretically, 10 21 of these tiny particles can be obtained from a cubic AgI crystal with a size of only 1 cm, and it will not seem surprising that very little silver iodide is required to produce artificial rain. As American meteorologists have calculated, only 50 kg of AgI is enough to “seed” the entire atmosphere above the US surface (which is 9 million square kilometers)! At the same time, in 1 cu. m, more than 3.5 million centers of ice crystallization are formed. And to maintain the formation of ice nuclei, it is enough to consume only 0.5 kg of AgI per hour. Therefore, despite the relatively high cost of silver salts, the use of AgI to cause artificial rain is practically advantageous.

Sometimes it is required to perform the exact opposite task: to “disperse” the clouds, to prevent rain from pouring during some important event (for example, the Olympic Games). In this case, silver iodide must be sprayed into the clouds in advance, tens of kilometers from the venue of the celebration. Then the rain will fall on the forests and fields, and the city will have sunny, dry weather.

Ilya Leenson

This tool will be discussed below. We will also tell you about what varieties of the said drug exist, for what purposes they are used, and so on.

Iodine solution: instructions for use

Iodine has antimicrobial properties. This drug is characterized by a pronounced local irritant effect. At high concentrations, it has a cauterizing effect.

Local application of iodine is due to its ability to precipitate tissue proteins. Deficiency disrupts the synthesis of thyroid hormones. In atherosclerosis, they cause a slight decrease in the concentration of beta-lipoproteins and cholesterol in the blood.

What other properties does elemental iodine have? Instructions for use reports that this agent is able to increase the lipoproteinase and fibrinolytic activity of blood serum, as well as slow down the rate of its clotting.

Application methods

How should I use iodine? Instructions for use states that damaged areas of the skin are often treated with an alcohol solution.

For oral administration, the dosage of this remedy is set individually, depending on the patient's age and indications.

Locally, this drug is used to wash the supratonsillar spaces and lacunae. The procedures are carried out 4-5 times at intervals of 2-3 days.

In order to irrigate the nasopharynx, an iodine solution is prescribed 2-3 times a week for 3 months.

For washing and instillation into the ear, this remedy is used for 2-4 weeks. For burns and in surgical practice, gauze wipes are moistened with iodine and applied to the affected surface.

"Iodine-active": instructions for use

Reviews of experts say that iodine as part of the preparation "Iodine-active" is well absorbed with a deficiency of this element in the body, and with an excess, it is quickly excreted, bypassing the thyroid gland. This effect is due to the fact that iodine is able to split off from milk protein under the influence of liver enzymes produced during its deficiency. When there is too much iodine in the human body, enzymes are not produced. Thus, "Iodine-active", instructions for the use of which are presented below, is excreted without being absorbed into the blood.

Composition, form, indications, contraindications

"Iodine-active" goes on sale in the form of tablets. It contains skimmed milk powder, lactose monohydrate and iodocasein.

This drug is prescribed for iodine deficiency, as well as to reduce the risk of developing diseases that are associated with a lack of this element. "Iodine-active" is forbidden to be taken with individual intolerance to its components.

Dosage

What dosage is prescribed "Iodine-active"? Instructions for use informs that this drug should be taken by adults and adolescents over 14 years of age, 1-2 tablets with meals (once a day).

Antiseptic preparation "Povidone-iodine"

What components does Povidone-iodine contain? Instructions for use states that its active substance is povidone-iodine. As additional components, glycerin, novoxinol, citric acid, sodium hydroxide, disodium hydrogen phosphate 12-hydrate, demineralized water and macragol are used.

This remedy is produced in the form of a 10% or 7.5% solution for external use with the formation of foam, as well as the form of suppositories, ointments and concentrates for the preparation of solutions.

Indications for use

Indications of the drug "Povidone-iodine" depend on the form of its release. It is used for burns, infectious wounds, abrasions, bedsores, dermatitis, trophic ulcers, bad breath, fungal skin lesions, in gynecological practice, etc. Also, this medication is used as a disinfectant.

Application methods

How should I use Povidone Iodine? Instructions for use states that this drug is intended for washing and lubricating infected areas of mucous membranes and skin. If required, use gauze bandages soaked in

If the medication is intended for drainage systems, then it must be diluted with water.

Suppositories "Povidone-iodine" are used deeply, intravaginally. Dosage, regimen and duration of use are established only by a doctor.

The preparation "Potassium iodide"

In what form is the instruction for use states that manufacturers produce this remedy in the form of tablets, drops and solution. This medication is used to treat hyperthyroidism and with the development of endemic goiter. It is also often prescribed in preparation for surgical interventions in patients with severe thyrotoxicosis.

Potassium iodine is used to prevent diseases of the thyroid gland affected by radiation. As an aid, it is used in the treatment of syphilis.

Dosage of the drug

The drug "Potassium iodide" is taken orally in the form of tablets and solutions. The medication must be washed down with sweet tea, milk or jelly in order to prevent irritation of the digestive tract.

Patients with endemic goiter are prescribed 0.04 g of the drug once a week. With diffuse goiter, the drug is also used in an amount of 0.04 g, but three times a day. After that, the dosage is changed: 0.125 g twice a day. The duration of treatment for such diseases is 20 days.

To thin the sputum, doctors prescribe a 1-3% solution of potassium iodide. In this case, the drug should be taken 3 large spoons three times a day.

Iodine monochloride

How does iodine monochloride work? Instructions for use informs that it is an antiseptic drug that has an antimicrobial effect against a variety of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, fungi and viruses. It is also highly effective against eggs of a number of helminths, spores of anaerobic bacteria and coccidia oocysts.

Vapors of undiluted drug cause rather severe irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, clouding of the cornea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe eyes and conjunctivitis. With prolonged exposure to the skin causes ulceration and burns.

What are they used for?

Iodine monochloride is used for:

• aerosol treatment of air in poultry and livestock premises;
• forced and preventive disinfection of surfaces of poultry and livestock premises, as well as technological equipment located in them, auxiliary facilities and inventory;
• treatment of animals that have been affected by ringworm;
• udder treatment of cows.

Application

How should iodine monochloride be used? Instructions for use states that disinfection with this agent is carried out by fine-drop irrigation using spray equipment.

For the treatment of animals that are sick with ringworm, the affected areas of the skin are treated with a 10% aqueous solution. The drug is applied in small portions with a cotton-gauze swab or brush, and then rubbed thoroughly. It is advisable to carry out this procedure outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

For treatment (antiseptic) after milking, a 0.5% solution of iodine monochloride is used, which is applied with a sprayer.

blue iodine

In addition to being antiseptic, blue iodine has irritating as well as some poisonous effects.

There are quite a few areas where this type of drug is used.

A solution of blue iodine is used to combat diseases such as:

• dysentery, respiratory inflammation, acne, alcohol intoxication, colitis, hepatitis;
• flatulence, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, bronchitis, hemorrhoids, ulcers and wounds on the skin, tuberculosis, various burns;
• periodontal disease, food poisoning, dysbacteriosis, worsening of the pancreas, chlamydia, intestinal or stomach ulcers;
• salmonellosis, irritability, trichomoniasis, ulcerative erosions in the mouth, iodine deficiency, decreased intellectual activity, fungal infections;
• gynecological diseases, hormonal imbalance, alveolitis, immune pathologies, stomatitis;
• vascular atherosclerosis, dendritic and disc keratitis, pustular skin lesions, tonsillitis, mastitis.

Usage

How is blue iodine used? Instructions for use informs that as a prophylactic it is necessary to drink 4 dessert spoons, after adding it to 200 ml of plain water. This procedure is sufficient to perform twice a day for 3 months.

If necessary, the dose of the drug can be increased.

In order to improve the taste, the product can be mixed with non-acidic natural juices or warm green tea.

Contraindications to the use of blue iodine

Do not use this supplement in the following cases:

• when taking thyroxine;
• with hypotension or the use of drugs that lower blood pressure;
• with complete or partial removal of thyroid tissue;
• the beginning of the menstrual cycle;
• thrombophlebitis;
• oncological diseases;
• autoimmune disorders.