Iodine: efficient treatment for fibrocystic breast disease, but unbearable side-effects

Fibrocystic breast disease is one of the most common health problems in women. It usually causes physical discomfort linked to the hormonal imbalance from the menstrual cycle.

A part from surgery which can be used to remove associated benign tumors, monitoring caffeine and salt intake have been proven to be effective in decreasing the symptoms. But still, some women are found non-responsive to those treatments.

Consequently, iodine solution, which is efficient as the other remedies, is used for the treatment of fibrocystic disease. Among 108 women treated with an iodine preparation, 98% where pain-free, and 65% had a reduction in breast size, thus confirming clinical improvement. Side effects were noticed in 11% of treated women, including nausea, hair thinning, diarrhea and acne. Other observed disadvantages of the medication were runny nose, metallic taste, excessive salivation and skin rash.

Iodine treatment is very special and appropriate, because it helps restoring the required amount of iodine in the diet ( since salt is cancelled from the diet, and salt is the main source of iodine)

Although iodine solution seems to be effective in managing the symptoms of fibrocystic disease, it has been recommended that thyroid function should be monitored during the entire treatment, so as to alleviate the side-effects which are to be somehow unbearable.