Legacy AI grade · Sources dated 2026-06-09. Not expert reviewed. Coverage is limited to the listed sources. About the new summary workflow
Iodine for Fibrocystic Breast
Verdict: Published with Warning
Across 3 PubMed studies, the evidence for Iodine in Fibrocystic Breast grades Tier C — weak evidence. Effective, but with safety or population caveats.
C 🟠 C Weak Evidence Published with Warning
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
Iodine for fibrocystic breast disease has a small, dated evidence base. PMID 29237134 tests a multi-ingredient liquid nutritional formula, not iodine monotherapy, and should not count as an iodine-only RCT.
evidence_level_desc claimed '3 smaller RCTs' without excluding the combination product. True iodine-monotherapy trials are fewer and methodologically limited.
Tier C reflects weak evidence. Iodine supplementation carries thyroid interaction risks and should not be self-prescribed for breast symptoms.
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Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditableRaw score 0.51
D
C
B
A
S
← counter-evidence / ineffectiveeffective / strong evidence →
Final grade
C · Published with Warning
Confidence
87%
Highly consistent evidence
Evidence level
E7
PMID 29237134 is multi-ingredient liquid formula, not iodine monotherapy
▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.508
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 無高階證據可裁決
- tier_strict_requirement_check — Tier 條件達標，未降階
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 0 個 hard + 1 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status
PubMed studies (3)L2 · primary research & systematic reviews
The effect of supraphysiologic levels of iodine on patients with cyclic mastalgia
Finding: Molecular iodine produced a statistically significant dose-dependent reduction in the Lewin overall pain scale versus placebo (p<0.01), with >50% of the 6.0 mg/day group achieving a clinically significant pain reduction.
View on PubMed A Randomized Controlled Multicenter Trial of an Investigational Liquid Nutritional Formula in Women with Cyclic Breast Pain Associated with Fibrocystic Breast Changes
Finding: Breast pain fell almost identically in the treatment and control arms (-32.2% vs -33.1%, p=0.64), with significance only on secondary endpoints nodularity (p=0.03) and pain-medication use (p=0.02), and the combined formula prevents attributing any effect to iodine alone.
View on PubMed Iodine replacement in fibrocystic disease of the breast
Finding: In the embedded double-blind RCT (n=56), molecular iodine yielded ~65% subjective and objective improvement versus a 33% placebo response, but no p-value was reported and the doses (1.5-6 mg/day) far exceed the safe upper intake limit.
View on PubMed Regulatory & authoritative positionsL4/L5 · FDA / EMA / NIH ODS / Cochrane / Mayo …
L4a US FDA
Supportive
Iodized salt or iodized table salt is the article of commerce, salt for human food use, to which has been added cuprous iodide or potassium iodide. The label shall bear the statement 'This salt supplies iodide, a necessary nutrient'. Cuprous iodide and potassium iodide may be added to table salt as a source of dietary iodine in an amount not greater than 0.01 percent. source↗
L4b EU EFSA
Supportive
Iodine contributes to normal cognitive function, normal functioning of the nervous system, the maintenance of normal skin, normal production of thyroid hormones and normal thyroid function, and contributes to normal growth of children source↗
L4c UK NHS
Cautious
Adults need 140 micrograms (μg) of iodine a day. Most people should be able to get all the iodine they need by eating a varied and balanced diet. Taking high doses of iodine for long periods of time could change the way your thyroid gland works. This can lead to a wide range of different symptoms, such as weight gain. Taking 0.5mg or less a day of iodine supplements is unlikely to cause any harm. source↗
L4d TW TFDA / 衛福部
Supportive
孕婦碘的每日建議攝取量為225微克，較一般成人140微克高出許多；衛生福利部建議孕婦及哺乳婦使用加碘鹽，並可適量攝取含碘量豐富的食物，如海帶、海藻類等。 source↗
L4e WHO
Supportive
All food-grade salt, used in household and food processing should be fortified with iodine as a safe and effective strategy for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders in populations living in stable and emergency settings. source↗
L5a NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Supportive
Iodine is a mineral found in some foods. The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones. These hormones control the body's metabolism and many other important functions. The body also needs thyroid hormones for proper bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy. source↗
L5c Cleveland Clinic
Cautious
Experts recognize iodine deficiency as a possible factor causing fibrocystic breasts. One older study reported that iodine therapy can help relieve the symptoms of fibrocystic breast changes. source↗