Dictionary

iodide The form to which iodine in the diet is reduced before being absorbed through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream and carried to the thyroid gland. See also iodine.

iodine An element in the diet that is essential for the manufacture of hormones by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland uses iodine to make thyroxine (T4), which has four iodine molecules attached to its structure, and triiodothyronine (T3), which has three iodine molecules attached. Iodine is found in seafood, bread, iodized salt, and seaweed.

iodine deficiency A lack of sufficient iodine in the diet, which can lead to inadequate production of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) and enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter). Since the addition of iodine to table salt became common, iodine deficiency has rarely been seen in the US.

iodine excess Prolonged intake of too much iodine that leads to swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter) and abnormally low thyroid activity (hypothyroidism). Certain foods and medications contain large amounts of iodine, including seaweed; iodine-rich expectorants such as SSKI and Lugol’s solution that are used to treat cough, asthma, and chronic pulmonary disease; and amiodarone…

IOL Intraocular lens.

IOM Institute of Medicine.

iontophoresis A transdermal delivery system in which a substance bearing a charge is propelled through the skin by a low electrical current. This method can be used to drive a drug across the skin barrier.

IORT Intraoperative radiation therapy.

ipecac, syrup of A solution that contains a naturally occurring substance that can cause vomiting (emesis). Ipecac is derived from dried roots of a Brazilian bush, Uragoga ipecacuanha. Syrup of ipecac is used to treat a few types of poisoning. It is important to consult with the local poison control center before administering syrup of…

ipsilateral On the same side, as opposed to contralateral. For example, a tumor involving the right side of the brain may affect vision ipsilaterally—that is, in the right eye.

IPV Inactivated polio vaccine. See polio immunization.

IQ Intelligence quotient, an attempt to measure the intelligence of an individual. There are many different forms of IQ tests. For original calculations of IQ, the person’s mental age as determined by a test was divided by chronological age. See also intelligence test; intelligence, nonverbal; intelligence, verbal.