During preconception, pregnancy and lactation an adequate intake of iodine is needed to complete the pregnant woman’s needs, to the maturation of the central nervous system of the fetus and for proper development.
The guideline issued by the Directorate-General of Health on August 26th, 2013 (Guideline No. 011/2013) has set the “Iodine intake in women in preconception, pregnancy and lactation”. The guideline recommends:
- Women in preconception, pregnancy or breastfeeding should receive a daily supplement of iodine in the form of potassium iodide – 150-200 mg / day from the preconcecional period, throughout pregnancy and for the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, so the medicine should be prescribed with the active substance potassium iodide in properly adjusted dose;
- In pregnant and breastfeeding women with clinical indication to receive vitamin supplements (multiple gestation, vegetarian or with an inadequate diet), should be take in to account the amount of existing iodine on those vitamin supplements in the recommended daily allowance of potassium iodide;
- In women with thyroid pathology potassium iodine may be contraindicated, but the medical decision should be taken in each case;
- In order to contribute to the proper intake of iodine is important to ensure a varied diet, including foods that usually are sources of iodine, in particular: fish, vegetables, and also milk and other dairy products. It is recommended, also the replacement of common salt by iodized salt.