The influence of povidone-iodine treatment on thyroid hormones in severe burns.

Average iodine serum levels of 2.5 mg/100 ml were obtained in 10 patients with an average burn area of 50% and treated with povidone-iodine. Simultaneous measurements of the thyroid hormones failed to reveal any significant impairment of thyroid function apart from depressed T3 coupled with increased reverse T3. Similar findings were obtained with a control group of 10 multiply-injured patients. If renal function is unimpaired the resorbed iodine is quickly excreted. No clinical signs of iodine intoxication were observed.