Wolff-Chaikoff effect

Wolff-Chaikoff effect is used to describe hypothyroidism caused by ingestion of a large amount of iodine.

It is an autoregulatory phenomenon which inhibits formation of thyroid hormones inside of the thyroid follicle. This becomes evident secondary to elevated levels of circulating iodide. Wolff-Chaikoff effect lasts several days, after which it is followed by an "escape phenomenon", which is described by resumption of normal organification of iodine and normal thyroid peroxidased function. "Escape phenomenon" is believed to occur because of decreased inorganic iodine concentration secondary to down-regulation of sodium-iodide symporter on the basolateral membrane of the Thyroid Follicular cell.

Wolff-Chaikoff effect can be used as a treatment principle against thyroid storm by infusion a large amount of iodine to shut down the hyperfunctioning thyroid gland, or an unpleasant iatrogenic effect of several iodine containing drugs, of which the most famous is amiodarone.