Lugol's iodine, traditionally prescribed at a dosage of 12.5mg daily, has several recognized applications. Historically, it has been used for:

1. Thyroid Health: Lugol’s iodine has been used to treat thyroid conditions such as hyperthyroidism and to prepare the thyroid gland for surgical removal. It helps by shrinking the thyroid gland and reducing the production of thyroid hormones¹².

2. Iodine Deficiency: In areas where iodine deficiency is prevalent, Lugol’s iodine has served as a supplement to ensure adequate iodine intake. Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones, crucial for metabolic and developmental processes³.

3. Radiation Protection: Lugol's iodine can be used in situations involving exposure to radioactive iodine, such as radiation emergencies. It helps protect the thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine, thereby reducing the risk of thyroid cancer³.

4. Antiseptic Uses: It has also been used in low doses as a disinfectant and antiseptic for minor wounds⁴.

The selection of a 12.5mg dosage often stems from ensuring efficacy while minimizing the risk of side effects. It is worth noting that higher doses can lead to iodine toxicity, manifesting in conditions like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism⁵.

Footnotes

1. Jeronimo F. Torti, "Potassium Iodide - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf," NCBI Bookshelf. ↩

2. Jan Calissendorff, "Rescue pre-operative treatment with Lugol’s solution in uncontrolled Graves’ disease," PMC5434745. ↩

3. Contributors to Wikimedia projects, "Lugol's iodine - Wikipedia," Wikipedia. ↩ ↩²

4. WebMD, "Lugols Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing," WebMD. ↩

5. Dean S. Karahalios, "Adverse effects of Lugol’s iodine," PMC9513598. ↩