Wolff-Chaikoff effect

German: Wolff-Chaikoff-Effekt

1 Definition

The Wolff-Chaikoff effect is a compensatory mechanism of the healthy thyroid gland that prevents the development of thyrotoxicosis in situations of iodine excess.

2 Mechanism

Elevated intracellular iodine concentrations block the uptake of iodine in the follicular cell and the synthesis of thyroid hormones by the thyroid peroxidase. This process is self-limiting, giving rise to an escape phenomenon after several days.

The Wolff-Chaikoff effect is to be distinguished from the Plummer effect, where the proteolysis of thyroglobulin and the release of preformed thyroid hormones are inhibited by high iodine concentrations.

3 References

• Wolff, J., Chaikoff, I.L.: The inhibitory action of iodide upon organic binding of iodine by the normal thyroid gland, Journal of biological chemistry, 172(2), 855, 1948
• Wolff, J., Chaikoff, I.L.: Plasma inorganic iodide, a chemical regulator of normal thyroid function Endocrinology, 42(6), 468–471, 1948
• Wolff, J., Chaikoff, I.L.: Plasma inorganic iodide as a homeostatic regulator of thyroid function Journal of biological chemistry, 174(2), 555–564, 1948
• Saller, B., Fink, H., Mann, K.: Kinetics of acute and chronic iodine excess. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes, 1998, 106 Suppl 3, S34–S38, 1998