Antithyroid (preoperative)
Iodide with iodine (Lugol's solution)
Brand names: Aqueous Iodine Oral Solution
Adult dose
Dose: 0.1–0.3mL TDS in milk/water, reduced as response permits, for 10–14 days before thyroidectomy
Route: PO
Frequency: TDS
Clinical pearls
- Preoperative thyroidectomy preparation in thyrotoxicosis (alongside antithyroid drug + β-blocker)
- Thyroid storm management adjunct
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to iodine
- Active tuberculosis
Side effects
- Hypersensitivity
- Goitre
- Hyperthyroidism (Jod-Basedow) or hypothyroidism
- GI upset
- Metallic taste
Interactions
- Lithium
- Other antithyroid drugs
Monitoring
- TFTs
Reference: BNF; BTA thyroid guidelines; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/iodide-with-iodine/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
- DOAC Score for Selecting Direct Oral Anticoagulant in Non-Valvular AF · Anticoagulation
- Burch-Wartofsky Point Scale for Thyrotoxicosis · Thyroid
- FAST Exam Protocol — Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma · Trauma
- DHAKA Score for Paediatric Dehydration Assessment · Fluids and Electrolytes
- Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) / Breathing Reserve · Pulmonary Function
Pathways
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) · JBDS 2013 / Joint British Diabetes Societies; NICE NG17
- Adult Hypoglycaemia (Treated Diabetes) · JBDS-IP (2023): Hospital Management of Hypoglycaemia
- Adrenal Crisis · Society for Endocrinology Emergency Guidance (2024)
- Type 2 Diabetes Management · NICE NG28 2022
- Hyperthyroidism Management · BTA / ETA 2018
- Adrenal Insufficiency · Society of Endocrinology / ESE 2016