Treatment of iodine deficiency diseases

The present invention is concerned with the use of starch containing amylose as a complexant with iodine for preparing dry powder pharmaceutical formulations useful in the preparation of capsules or tablets. The helical structure of the amylose molecule and its ability to complex with smaller molecules including iodine make starch (amylose) a desirable vehicle for the administration of iodine (I2) as a dry powder formulation in capsule or tablet form. These pharmaceutical formulations are particularly useful in the treatment of or the prevention of iodine deficiency diseases including breast dysplasia, breast cancer, endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome, ovarian cysts and radiation sickness from nuclear fallout.