Ozan Emre ELİAÇIK, Oğulcan ÇÖME, Vildan MEVSİM
Eurasian Journal of Family Medicine - 2026;15(2):164-169
The Wolff-Chaikoff effect is a well-known phenomenon characterized by the transient suppression of thyroid hormone synthesis following an abrupt increase in iodine intake. Herein, we present a case of a 70-year-old man who presented with increased fatigue over several months, ultimately diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction induced by the chronic use of Lugol's solution. Despite having no significant medical history, his daily ingestion of two drops of 2% Lugol's solution (approximately 5 mg of total iodine per day) during the COVID-19 pandemic led to elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels of 29 µIU/mL and low free thyroxine (fT4) levels of 0.6 ng/dL. Based on this information, the patient was started on levothyroxine 50 mcg daily and scheduled for a follow-up visit in two months. This case underscores the importance of recognizing and managing the Wolff-Chaikoff effect in clinical practice.
