Supplementation with 400 mcg iodine (oral iodized oil) daily for 28 weeks improved iodine deficiency, increasing the median iodine level in urine and decreasing thyroglobulin in children (age 10-12). There was no significant difference in the iodine status of the placebo group. Additionally, compared with placebo, iodine treatment significantly improved cognitive performance on 4 of 7 tests (rapid target marking, symbol search, rapid object naming, and Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices). (31)
Iodine and the thyroid gland:
Iodine and enlargement of the thyroid gland: Rates of swelling/enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter and iodine status may be improved in children by use of iodine supplementation. This review of 26 prospective controlled trials found a clear association between iodine supplementation (mostly as iodized oil) and goiter reduction. A few, but not all, studies reported an improvement in cognitive and psychomotor measures following iodine supplementation. After supplementation levels of iodine measure in urine increased and reached recommended levels (by the World Health Organization) in most studies. Physical development was not affected (except in one study). There were also only minor side-effects reported (affecting only 1.8% of the 29,613 children in the review). (32)