The Iodine Allergy Myth
Some people that have a history of allergy to shellfish, a history of a previous reaction to IV iodinated contrast, or a history of a reaction to a topical iodine solution, have been told that they have “iodine allergy.” This is actually not correct. “Iodine Allergy” doesn’t really exist. Iodine is a substance essential to life and is found throughout your body like within thyroid hormone or in amino acids, your body’s basic building blocks. The reactions experienced in each of these situations do not have to do with the presence of the iodine. Instead, in each case the reaction is to another substance. In the case of shellfish, the reaction is to tropomyosin, a muscle protein. In the case of iodinated contrast, it is the other portion of the contrast molecule, not the iodine. In the case of topical iodine solution, it is to other substances in the solution, not the iodine itself.
Shellfish allergy is not a contraindication to iodinated contrast because the allergy is entirely unrelated. This is a longstanding myth even within the medical community and is difficult to dispel. To some degree, asthma will increase the possibility of a contrast reaction. Sensitivity to Betadine® and other Iodine-containing solutions is unrelated to reactions to iodinated radiographic contrast agents.
From the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology:
“Once a person has one contrast reaction they are at very high risk for more unless treated. The reactions do tend to be worse in people who are dehydrated (dried out) when they are given the contrast in their veins. These reactions are not caused by iodine and are not more common in people with shellfish or any other true allergy. They can be minimized by pretreatment with antihistamines and oral steroids and/or using non-ionic contrast material that, interestingly, still has iodine in it.”
Tatiacha
Randy
Blog Admin
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August 25, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Janine Peacock
I had Basil skin CA removed from my face they used 7% iodine he injected epi into the site. When the epi wore off that area popped like popcorn, swelled enough to closed my eye. I was 43yold at the time had only bit into a shrimp once before. Am I allergic to iodine like my doctor said and does this include seafood then?
August 25, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Tatiacha
It really is not possible to be allergic to Iodine itself the body is filled with iodine receptors. Iodine reactions are normally from another ingredient mixed into an iodine solution such as with the iodine contrast medium. Seafood allergies were once thought to be because of iodine but it is not the iodine that causes the reaction it is another element in shell fish. Most reactions to pure iodine are because the person is carrying a toxic load of bromide and fluoride which will sit on the iodine receptors. When iodine is taken it pushes those off the receptors and the body has to attempt to move out large amounts of the bromide in a short time. The body cannot function without iodine saying you can be allergic to iodine is like saying you can be allergic to magnesium or calcium. A negative iodine reaction says a person is so toxic with other halides that iodine is desperately needed, however the person may need to go slow and must use the whole protocol so that the body has what it needs to move the bromides and other toxins out of the body. This is the reason for the salt loading and iodine deficient people are usually deficient in magnesium as well. Someone who reacts quite intensely really should seek out a physician who is familiar with the iodine protocol to help them. There are more physicians who are educating themselves about iodine everyday but it can still be hard to find a good one.
Some of the sites like http://breastcancerchoices.com have resources to assist and also there is an iodine list on yahoo where others may know of a good physician in the area.