Potassium iodide and the wolff-chaikoff effect: relevance for the dermatologist.

The inhibition of organic binding of iodide in the thyroid gland by excess iodide, resulting in the cessation of thyroid hormone synthesis, is known as the Wolff-Chaikoff effect. This review explores the nature of the Wolff-Chaikoff effect, both in terms of its potential mechanisms and its relevance to dermatologists who use potassium iodide as a therapeutic agent.