The Role of Iodine in Thyroid Health and Preventing Disorders

Iodine is a micronutrient essential for normal human growth and mental development. Consuming adequate levels of iodine is necessary to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. However, as per the Salt Commissioner Office, approximately 70 million people are suffering from iodine deficiency disorders, and more than 200 million people are at risk of these disorders in India.

This can be prevented by maintaining a diet with iodine-rich foods and properly understanding how iodine helps prevent these disorders.

This article explains the role of iodine in maintaining thyroid health and preventing disorders and what an iodine-rich diet must contain.

What is Iodine?

Iodine is an essential element that the body requires to make thyroid hormones. These hormones are developed by the thyroid glands present in the body. Since the body cannot produce iodine, the main source of the mineral is the iodine-rich foods people consume.

Moreover, the function of iodine in the body is to maintain the metabolism, which, in turn, supports normal growth and development. This is why iodine intake is crucial during pregnancy, as it leads to the brain development of the foetus and reduces the risk of intellectual disability in children.

Read also about Thyroid-Stimulating Hormones (TSH)

What is the Role of Iodine in Thyroid Health?

Deficiency of iodine can lead to insufficient thyroid hormone production, which results in a condition known as hypothyroidism. This medical condition disrupts normal metabolic functions such as the regulation of body temperature, heart rate, and body weight. Additionally, people suffering from hypothyroidism can have a lump or swelling in the neck called goitre.

However, if the iodine intake is too much, it causes excess thyroid hormone secretions in the body, which results in hyperthyroidism. Due to hyperthyroidism, the metabolism rate in the body increases, causing symptoms like goitre, weight loss, irritability, hand tremors, sweatiness, and irregular heartbeat.

What are the Functions of Iodine?

Besides preventing thyroid disorders, iodine is also responsible for other key functions in the body. These include:

1. Neurodevelopment during pregnancy
   Consumption of iodine during pregnancy is related to the brain and nerve development of the foetus. If the intake is insufficient, the child may have lower IQ levels or face intellectual delays later in life.
2. Treatment of infections
   Iodine has antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it effective for treating and preventing skin infections such as deep cuts, burns, or animal bites.
3. Improvement of cognitive ability
   Proper iodine intake is also essential for children’s brain health. When children have inadequate levels of iodine in their body, it can lead to brain damage or mental retardation.
4. Treatment of fibrocystic breast disease
   Fibrocystic breast disease is a non-cancerous condition common in women during their reproductive age. The disease is characterised by painful breast lumps. Iodine supplements and medications can help treat this condition. However, it should only be taken after consulting a healthcare provider.

What are the Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency?

Iodine deficiency occurs when the body’s daily intake falls below the recommended 100-150 mcg/day. Symptoms of iodine deficiency are mainly detected through the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

1. Enlarged thyroid or visible goitre
2. Depression
3. Difficulty in concentrating
4. Thick, puffy, and dry skin
5. Unintentional weight gain
6. Hair loss
7. Constipation
8. Difficulty in swallowing
9. Breathing problems
10. Lethargy and muscle weakness

How to Manage Iodine Deficiency?

To manage iodine deficiency, one must consume an iodine-rich diet, use iodised salts in foods, and take supplements after consulting their healthcare provider.

Foods that can be a rich source of iodine include:

1. Seaweeds like kombu kelp, wakame, and nori
2. Dairy products such as milk, yoghurt, and cottage cheese
3. Fish and shellfish like shrimp, cod, tuna, and oysters
4. Beef liver
5. Eggs
6. Fortified infant formula
7. Chicken
8. Prunes

Iodine is a crucial trace mineral that affects the metabolism of the body. Having adequate levels of iodine can prevent thyroid disorders and facilitate normal growth and development of the body. It’s essential to have an iodine rich diet to prevent severe disorders and maintain overall health.

If someone experiences symptoms of hypothyroidism, they must consult their healthcare provider and book a thyroid profile test with Dr Lal PathLabs for accurate diagnosis.

To learn more, download the Dr Lal PathLabs app now.

FAQs

1. What is iodine used to prevent?
   Iodine is used to prevent thyroid disorders in the body, such as hypothyroidism caused by inadequate secretion of thyroid hormone. To prevent hypothyroidism, people must consume iodine-rich foods to increase their iodine intake.
2. Which food is not suitable for thyroid?
   Thyroid patients should avoid consuming foods like soy, root vegetables, and cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli. One can have iodine-rich foods for thyroid, such as milk, cottage cheese, seaweeds, and fish.
3. What are the symptoms of low iodine?
   Symptoms of low levels of iodine in the body include tiredness, unexpected weight gain, muscle weakness, slow heartbeat, depression, puffy and dry skin, and hair loss.