Iodine in biology ring iodine atom, and also convert T3 to 3,3'-Diiodothyronine (T2) by removing an inner ring atom. Both of the latter products are inactivated hormones which have essentially no biological effects and are quickly prepared for disposal. A family of non-selenium-dependent enzymes then further deiodinates the products of these reactions. Selenium also plays a very important role in the production of glutathione, the body's most powerful antioxidant. During the production of the thyroid hormones, hydrogen peroxide is produced in large quantities, and therefore high iodine in the absence of selenium can destroy the thyroid gland (often described as a sore throat
Isotopes of iodine and 1970s reached about 10). I differs from Cl in that its half-life is longer (15.7 vs. 0.301 million years), it is highly biophilic, and occurs in multiple ionic forms (commonly, I and IO), which have different chemical behaviors. This makes it fairly easy for I to enter the biosphere as it becomes incorporated into vegetation, soil, milk, animal tissue, etc. Of the many isotopes of iodine, only two are typically used in a medical setting: iodine-123 and iodine-131. Since I has both a beta and gamma decay mode, it can be used for radiotherapy or for imaging. I, which