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Health Consequences of Iodine Deficiency

Iodine has to be extracted by the human body from food since it is not produced naturally in the body. The mineral is largely responsible for the production of thyroid hormones, which helps to maintain bodily functions and the regeneration of cells. Deficiency of this mineral can have serious implications on your health. Read on to know more.

What Is Iodine Deficiency?

Humans require certain micrograms of iodine to maintain the thyroid glands and when unable to maintain the required amount of iodine results in Iodine deficiency.

An average adult requires 150mcg of iodine while pregnant women or those breastfeeding require around 200mcg of iodine to keep up the thyroid hormones.

What Are The Signs of Iodine Deficiency?

Following are the signs of iodine deficiency diseases:

1. Hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid muscles produce low levels of the hormone, which in turn results in depression, fatigue, nausea, puffiness, memory problems, and other issues.

2. Goitre, which is a lump resulting from the swelling around your thyroid glands.

3. Issues with cognitive functions such as loss of memory, disabilities in the development of mental health, and problems with learning.

Iodine Deficiency Disorders And Complications

Unfortunately, if iodine deficiency is not treated, the complications extend beyond thyroid problems. It can traverse the heart, resulting in heart diseases and reduced heart health. It can also affect the Peripheral Nervous System as well as result in mental disabilities, especially in children.

For women, deficiency of iodine causes problems with ovulation resulting in infertility, miscarriages, or premature deliveries. The deficiency can also pass on to the child and may cause stillbirths, physical abnormalities, and mental health issues, commonly under Cretinism.

When Should You Call A Doctor?

Thyroid deficiencies can be difficult to identify in the early stages but maintaining a healthy diet can help circumvent the problem. However, if a person experiences symptoms of Myxedema, call a doctor right away. The symptoms of Myxedema include:

Feeling drowsy and fatigued until the person becomes unconscious.

Feeling cold and chills most of the time.

Falling into a state of coma upon being administered sedatives, or experiencing stress mentally and physically, especially from infections.

How Do You Test For Iodine Deficiency?

Medical diagnoses for iodine deficiency treatment are conducted in 4 distinct ways:

1. Blood test – Although it takes some time, you can get accurate results for iodine levels in the blood.

2. Urine Sample Test – Checking a sample of urine procured early in the morning helps to determine the levels of iodine in the body. The results arrive fairly quickly, however, the accuracy may be skewed.

3. An Iodine Loading Test – For better accuracy from urine tests, medical professionals insist on collecting samples from each time you pee for a period of 24 hours to test for iodine levels.

4. An Iodine Patch Test – This test requires 24 hours to perform wherein the health professional paints a small patch on the skin with iodine solution. If the person suffers from iodine deficiency, the body will start absorbing the mineral and the patch will disappear quickly. However, if there is no iodine deficiency, the patch will disappear slowly over the next 24 hours. The results may not be very accurate but it gives an idea if the person requires further testing.

Iodine Deficiency Treatment

Despite the serious complications of Iodine deficiency, the condition can be addressed and treated with a healthy diet and food options rich in iodine. Here are some ingredients that you must include in your diet plan in order to treat iodine deficiency diseases or for iodine deficiency prevention altogether:

- Eggs

- Seafood such as Codfish, Oysters, Tuna, shrimp, etc.

- Meat such as chicken, beef, and mutton

- Liver of animals, particularly beef and goat

- Seaweed

- Iodized salt

- Dairy products such as cream, milk, yoghurt, cheese, etc.

- Bread

- Nuts such as Walnuts, Cashews, Almonds, Macadamia nuts, and more

- Infant formula that is fortified

If you are vegetarian, you can skip the meat, eggs, fish, and dairy products if vegan. However, you need to consume more bread, nuts, and iodized salt in order to maintain the required levels of iodine in the body.

Conclusion

The Iodine trace mineral is crucial for good health as well as iodine deficiency prevention. Despite your dietary preferences, find something that will help maintain your body’s need for iodine and consult a doctor frequently if the condition does not improve.

Source: Healthline, HSPH

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on November 30, 2022