Biochemical Reaction of Iodine in Human Body-Part 1

Digestion, Absorption, Transport and Storage of Iodine

Dietary iodine (I) is either bound to amino acids or found free, primarily in the form of iodate or iodide. For example, iodate from breads is normally reduced to iodide by glutathione. Iodide ion is the best form of iodine to be absorbed.

Iodide is absorbed rapidly and completely in the stomach and gastrointestinal tract.Then it will be carried into circulation by serum protein. Thus, very little iodide found in feces.

Most iodide is trapped in the thyroid gland where it then forms an essential component of thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland contains up to 70% to 80% of the total body iodide. It takes up about 120mg of iodide per day.

Source: Groff J., Gropper S., and Smith J. (2009). Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism.(5th Edition). Belmont, Ca: Wadsworth.