Burlak K, Bell D, Fortin F, et al. Wolff-Chaikoff effect. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 01 Jun 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-55338
Wolff-Chaikoff effect is an autoregulatory phenomenon, whereby a large amount of ingested iodine acutely inhibits thyroid hormone synthesis within the follicular cells, irrespective of the serum level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) 1.
Pathology
The Wolff-Chaikoff effect is thought to be transient, with the thyroid gland returning to its near-normal hormone synthesis in 26-50 hours in normal subjects 2. It provides temporary protection against the thyroid gland synthesizing an excessive quantity of thyroid hormones in states of excess iodine. However, it can also lead to hypothyroidism in susceptible patients with underlying thyroid disease, who can experience a delayed “escape” from the Wolff-Chaikoff effect.
History and etymology
This effect was first reported in 1948 by Jan Wolff and IsraelChaikoff, who noticed a decrease in the organic binding of iodine, when plasma iodide levels were elevated 3.
1. Chung HR. Iodine and thyroid function. Annals of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism. 19 (1): 8-12. doi:10.6065/apem.2014.19.1.8 - Pubmed
2. WOLFF J, CHAIKOFF IL. The temporary nature of the inhibitory action of excess iodine on organic iodine synthesis in the normal thyroid. Endocrinology. 45 (5): 504-13, illust. doi:10.1210/endo-45-5-504 - Pubmed
3. J. Wolff, I. L. Chaikoff. PLASMA INORGANIC IODIDE AS A HOMEOSTATIC REGULATOR OF THYROID FUNCTION. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 174 (2): 555. Pubmed
