If a patient with iodine deficiency develops a goiter and receives excessive supplemental iodine, what homeostatic disturbance is most likely to occur initially?

💡 Explanation

Excess iodine can trigger the Wolff-Chaikoff effect, wherein high intracellular iodide levels acutely inhibit thyroid peroxidase (TPO), reducing thyroid hormone synthesis. Because of this autoregulatory mechanism, thyroid hormone synthesis is transiently suppressed, therefore D is correct, rather than options that involve sustained hyperthyroidism.

• If a retinal detachment disrupts signaling between photoreceptors and bipolar cells across a large section of the fovea, which consequence follows?
• Following a deep skin wound that penetrates the dermis and disrupts collagen fibers, which effect dominates the long-term appearance of the healed area?
• Why does progressive macular degeneration impair high-resolution vision while preserving peripheral vision?
• If a runner in a marathon begins to experience exertional heat stroke, which compensatory mechanism fails, causing a dangerous rise in core body temperature?
• If a patient maintains chronically low vitamin D levels while consuming adequate calcium and phosphorus, which consequence becomes most likely regarding bone mineral density?
• Why does persistent hyperglycemia increase sarcopenia risk due to oxidative stress?