The alteration on serum thyroid hormones and iodine levels when the 10% povidone iodine solution was topically performed on ano-rectal mucosa.

In this experiment, the 10% povidone-iodine (PI) solution was topically administered on ano-rectal mucosa by enema and its effects on thyroid hormones and iodine levels in serum were examined in rabbits. The solution was given in a volume of 20 ml daily for three days. Blood samples were drawn at 1st, 4th and 7th days after the first enema. The serum iodine levels reached maximum values at the first day was still elevated at the 4th and 7th days, but T3, T4 and TSH values remained within the normal limits. Iodine did not produce alterations in the levels of thyroid hormones and TSH, although it is known that a considerable amount of it is absorbed from the intestinal lumen.