Iodine in biology
The U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM) updated Estimated Average Requirements (EARs) and Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for iodine in 2000. For people age 14 and up, the iodine RDA is 150 μg/day; the RDA for pregnant women is 220 μg/day and the RDA during lactation is 290 μg/day. For children 1–8 years, the RDA is 90 μg/day; for children 8–13 years, 130 μg/day. As a safety consideration, the IOM sets tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) for vitamins and minerals when evidence is sufficient. The UL for iodine for adults is 1,100 μg/day. This UL was assessed by analyzing the effect of supplementation on thyroid-stimulating hormone. Collectively, the EARs, RDAs, AIs and ULs are referred to as Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs).
Potassium
The U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM) sets Estimated Average Requirements (EARs) and Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), or Adequate Intakes (AIs) for when there is not sufficient information to set EARs and RDAs. Collectively the EARs, RDAs, AIs and ULs are referred to as Dietary Reference Intakes. The AIs for potassium are: 400 mg of potassium for 0-6-month-old males, 700 mg of potassium for 7-12-month-old males, 3,000 mg of potassium for 1-3-year-old males, 3,800 mg of potassium for 4-8-year-old males, 4,500 mg of potassium for 9-13-year-old males, and 4,700 mg of potassium for males that are 14 years old and older.
The AIs for potassium are: 400 mg of potassium for 0-6-month-old females, 700 mg of potassium for 7-12-month-old females, 3,000 mg of potassium for 1-3-year-old females, 3,800 mg of potassium for 4-8-year-old females, 4,500 mg of potassium for 9-13-year-old females, and 4,700 mg of potassium for females that are 14 years old and older.
The AIs for potassium are: 4,700 mg of potassium for 14-50-year-old pregnant females; furthermore, 5,100 mg of potassium for 14-50-year-old lactating females. As for safety, the IOM also sets Tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) for vitamins and minerals, but for potassium the evidence was insufficient, so no UL established.