About one third of the iodine present in adults occurs in the thyroid gland. It is about 20-25 mg. The concentration of this in the thyroid is about 2500 times greater than in any other body tissue.
Iodine is an essential micronutrient. The total body content of iodine is about 50 mg. The blood level is about 8 to 12 micro- grams/dl.
Iodine is a constituent of the thyroid gland which controls the rate at which energy is used up in the body. It is present in the body in minute amounts about 15 to 23 mg. It is ingested in foods as inorganic iodides and as organic compound.
Iodine is an important part of the hormone thyroxine. The thyroid gland, which is located in the neck, secretes this hormone. Thyroxine regulates some important metabolic processes related to growth and oxidation.