Iodine Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

 

When your body does not get enough iodine, you have an iodine deficiency. Hypothyroidism and an enlarged thyroid are among the symptoms. It is brought on by a diet low in iodine. Iodine supplements and occasionally thyroid hormone supplements are used in treatment. Eating iodine-containing foods and using iodized salt can help you prevent iodine deficiency.

What is Iodine deficiency?

When your thyroid gland doesn't get enough iodine to function correctly, you have an iodine deficiency. The butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck is your thyroid.  Your endocrine system includes it.  Thyroid hormones are produced by your thyroid.  The hormones are then released into your bloodstream by your thyroid.  They are transported to the tissues of your body by your blood.

 Thyroid hormones support healthy organ function, energy use, and body temperature.  Thyroid hormones are also necessary for the healthy development of the fetus's bones and brain during pregnancy.  Pregnancy complications can arise from an iodine deficiency.

Also Read: Goiter: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Risk factors & Treatment

What is Iodine?

Iodine is a mineral found on Earth. To produce thyroid hormones, your body requires iodine. Your body does not make iodine on its own. You must consume food that contains iodine. There are several methods for obtaining iodine:

• Some foods contain iodine, Seawater naturally contains iodine. Foods high in iodine include seafood, shrimp, and seaweed. Iodine is added to some dairy products and other foods.

• In the past, iodine deficiency was widespread in some parts of the US and Canada. Iodine is added to table salt. The practice of mixing iodine with table salt was first used in 1924. The prevalence of iodine deficiency dropped.

• As a dietary supplement: iodine can be obtained by taking a daily multivitamin.

Complication:

Your body cannot produce enough thyroid hormone if you don't get enough iodine. Numerous issues can arise from an iodine deficiency, particularly during pregnancy.

A pregnancy iodine deficiency may result in:

• Miscarriage

• Stillbirth

• Birth defects

• Growth retardation

• Intellectual Disability

• Delays in development

Rarely, cretinism—a severe form of brain damage—can result from an iodine deficiency during pregnancy. Congenital iodine deficiency syndrome is another name for retinism. This condition causes serious complications for newborns, such as:

• Mental and physical delays

• Speechless and deaf (deaf-mutism)

• Severe spasticity, or tightness in the muscles

• Short stature

Symptoms:

The effects of an iodine deficiency on your thyroid can be used to diagnose it.

Thyroid enlargement is one of the initial symptoms of iodine deficiency. This condition is known as goiter. Your thyroid gradually enlarges in an attempt to meet your body's need for more thyroid hormone. You may have symptoms like these if you have a goiter:

• Choking

• Having trouble swallowing

• Breathing difficulties

Hypothyroidism is iodine deficiency's primary symptom. When your body's iodine levels drop and your thyroid gland is unable to produce thyroid hormone, you have hypothyroidism. Another name for this condition is underactive thyroid. Your metabolism slows down, which results in weight gain, exhaustion, and an inability to withstand cold temperatures.

Iodine deficiency also manifests as:

• Infertility

• Pliable skin

• Perplexity

• Dry, scaly skin

• Thinning hair, coarse 

• Hoarseness

What causes a deficiency of iodine?

 When your diet doesn't contain enough iodine, you develop an iodine deficiency.  Iodine deficiency is a prevalent condition in developing nations across the world, although it is uncommon in the United States.  People who live at higher altitudes or in remote locations don't get enough iodine from dairy or seafood.  Additionally, in some parts of the world, table salt does not contain iodine.

How is a deficiency of iodine diagnosed?

If you have a goiter or an enlarged thyroid gland, your doctor may be able to visually diagnose iodine deficiency. To measure your thyroid gland and check for anomalies, they might prescribe imaging tests like a thyroid ultrasound or scan.

A thyroid blood test might also be prescribed by your doctor. Iodine deficiency may be indicated by low thyroid hormone or high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.

A blood test is used to check for hypothyroidism in all newborns.

 Treatment:

 Your doctor will prescribe iodine supplements to treat your iodine deficiency.  Additionally, they might suggest thyroid hormone supplements.  Iodine deficiency treated by:

• Taking iodine supplement.

•  Using iodize salt

• Eating more  food contain iodine

Thyroid hormone supplements may be used to treat iodine deficiency in babies born with it. They might need to take thyroid hormones for the rest of their lives, depending on how bad their condition is.

How can a lack of iodine be prevented?

According to the National Health and Medical Research Council, you should take 150 microgram (mcg) of iodine daily if you are:

• Planning a pregnancy, breastfeeding, or being pregnant.

• It's critical that you take no more supplements than are recommended. Before taking iodine supplements, consult your physician if you have a thyroid condition.

• Learn more about iodine and the daily recommended intake.

• Some fish, like tuna and cod.

• Seafood, including seaweed and shrimp.

• Dairy goods, including cheese, yogurt, and milk.

Another important strategy to avoid iodine deficiency is to use iodized salt. Iodized salt is what you should use when adding salt to food while it's cooking or eating.

Iodine is also absent from other salts, such as fleur de sel, Himalayan salt, kosher salt, and sea salt.

References:

• National Institutes of Health. Iodine (https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-Consumer/). Accessed 7/7/2022.Nutrition Australia (Iodine), Eat For Health (Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand - Iodine), Australian Thyroid Foundation (Iodine deficiency and nutrition)

• American Thyroid Association. Iodine Deficiency (https://www.thyroid.org/iodine-deficiency/). Accessed 7/7/2022.

• Merck Manual. Iodine Deficiency (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/disorders-of-nutrition/minerals/iodine-deficiency). Accessed 7/7/2022.

• Iodine Global Network. FAQ about iodine nutrition (https://www.ign.org/iodine-faq.htm). Accessed 7/7/2022.