There are many myths surrounding Lugol's solution and how it works. As almost all of us know, on April 26, 1986, a major disaster occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. This event is inextricably linked to the massive consumption of this drug by Poles, but not only them. Lugol's iodine was bought and consumed en masse for fear of harmful radiation. It was even given to children. In these uncertain times, the specter of nuclear disasters returns like a boomerang. So the question arises: does its use really make sense? We will try to answer it in this article. We invite you to read it.
What exactly is Lugol’s solution?
The history of Lugol's solution dates back to 1829. It was developed by the physician Jean Guillaume August Lugol, and it is after him that it owes its name. The Frenchman had long been researching a stable iodine solution. In this case, however, it was potassium iodide and iodine itself, dissolved in distilled water, which additionally played a stabilizing role. Normally, their concentration does not exceed 3%. It is very important that there are two types of this type of substance for sale. The first is Lugol's solution, which has not been previously purified. In the vast majority of cases, it is widely available in pharmacies and can be purchased without a prescription. It has antiseptic properties and is suitable for application to the skin only after dilution with water. This makes it completely unsuitable for consumption and can even be harmful to health! The second type of Lugol's solution is available only upon presentation of an appropriate document issued by a doctor. Its availability is much lower, but it is primarily intended for the pharmacotherapy of all thyroid disorders. Furthermore, it has undergone appropriate purification, making it relatively safe for consumption.
Are Lugol's iodine and iodine the same substance?
It seems that these two substances have a lot in common. The most important difference between them is the solvent used. As already mentioned, in Lugol's solution this very important function is performed by distilled water. However, in the case of iodine, it is nothing more than ethyl alcohol, which is even found in spirits. In addition, thanks to the use of ethanol, the iodine concentration can be much higher, ranging from 3 to even 10%. This makes iodine much more invasive than Lugol's iodine. Due to the above fact, it is not intended for consumption in any form! We can use it only and exclusively - externally. However, the use of iodine internally can lead to severe irritation of the mucous membranes, including the stomach, and even severe iodine poisoning.
What functions does iodine have in our body?
The demonization of iodine's effects is completely unfounded. After all, this chemical element performs many vital functions in our body. Among the most important are:
- Ensuring the correct amount of hormones produced by the thyroid and their proper function
- Effects on the condition of the skin, but also to a lesser extent - hair and nails
- Ensuring proper brain function and maintaining cognitive functions
- contributes to the maintenance of normal cell metabolism
- Supporting the work of the entire nervous system
Why is Lugol's iodine not as beneficial as you might think?
Taking Lugol's iodine is inherently correlated with an increased risk of exposure to harmful radiation. In 1986, this type of preparation was purchased in large quantities, but it was also distributed in many medical facilities. The principle was simple: The goal was to saturate the thyroid gland with iodine as much as possible, preventing it from absorbing the radioactive iodine isotope 131. This saturation should last approximately 10 days. Meanwhile, the half-life of this isotope is less than 8. There's some logic to this, but it's important to be aware that it doesn't provide universal protection against all types of radiation. It's worth noting that these types of nuclear reactions release a variety of radioactive substances, not just iodine-based ones. This is the first, and not the only, drawback of this procedure. Furthermore, iodine itself is not absorbed very quickly. Therefore, its use after the hypothetical radioactive cloud reached our country was not so important and could have many side effects. After all, our thyroid is very sensitive to iodine levels in the body. Therefore, it is relatively easy to overdose. This, in turn, can lead to hyperthyroidism or autoimmune thyroiditis. This condition can be characterized by:
- swelling of the thyroid gland - the formation of a goiter
- Weight loss
- Brittleness of hair and nails
- increased sweating
- Shake hands
- Hot flashes
- sleep disorder
- Mood swings
- high blood pressure
- wide-open eyes
- irregular heartbeat and increased pulse rate
- Irregular menstrual cycles in women
- Breast formation in men
It is therefore clear that if we want to protect ourselves against a potential threat, we can guarantee a whole series of side effects, and this is not the end of potential threats.
Why was Lugol's solution used in 1986 after the Chernobyl disaster?
This raises the question of why this type of measure was so readily used not only by average Poles but also by medical institutions. There are several answers to this question. Firstly, medical knowledge was not up to date. Attempts were made to mitigate the potential danger to the Polish population in any way. Moreover, action had to be taken quickly, and many specialists were unable to assess the extent of the threat. This was due to the fact that the authorities of the then political system wanted to cover up the entire event from the public eye at all costs. Furthermore, radiation measuring devices were at a much lower level than today. Nowadays, we can obtain reliable readings from the location of our interest almost at any time, even using a web browser. Back then, this option didn't exist. The lack of information about what was actually happening beyond our eastern border caused panic. The use of Lugol's iodine could also simply have a calming effect and calm public sentiment.
Other risks of oral administration of Lugol's solution
In addition to the potential development of hyperthyroidism and other diseases closely related to excess iodine in the body, the use of this product can lead to other potential complications. First, and most obviously, we can simply overdose on iodine. Let's also add that Lugol's solution, available in most pharmacies, is simply not suitable for consumption. Ultimately, it can lead to food poisoning with all its consequences. In addition, the consumption of such a substance is extremely dangerous for all people struggling with various diseases of the cardiovascular system. In this case, it can even lead to atrial fibrillation or circulatory failure. Interestingly, iodine compounds can be potential allergens. Therefore, ingesting Lugol's solution or other products containing significant amounts of it can lead to severe anaphylactic shock in such patients.
What is Lugol's solution used for?
The potential dangers of taking Lugol's iodine may surprise many. This raises the question: When is it advisable to consume it? Of course, after appropriate purification, this substance is used in the pharmacotherapy of many thyroid disorders. It is an extremely good source of iodine and its compounds and, in addition, has a relatively high bioavailability. Unlike iodine, it does not contain ethyl alcohol, which irritates the digestive system. However, it is worth noting that even then, such therapy must be carried out under the supervision of a physician. It is also possible to dissolve a small amount in water, making it ideal for gargling. Another advantage of Lugol's solution is its application to wounds and other damage to the epidermis. Due to the use of water as a solvent, it is non-irritating. In addition, it has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties. This makes it possible to effectively remove these pathogens not only from skin surfaces and mucous membranes, but also from all medical tools and other objects.
Summary
Lugol's solution has an indispensable aura—the first line of defense against harmful radiation. Unfortunately, this is only partially true. It has certain properties that can counteract even dangerous iodine-131 isotopes. However, its long-term use, especially internally, carries numerous health risks. It's understandable that each of us wants to protect ourselves as best we can in times of danger. However, it's worth remembering that every coin has two sides, and the situation is almost identical in the case of Lugol's solution.
