What is Iodine Requirement?

Iodine is a micronutrient of crucial importance for the health and well-being of all individuals. The body does not make iodine, hence diet is the sole source of iodine.

Iodine is crucial in the production of thyroid hormones. These hormones regulate the metabolic activities of most cells and play a vital role in the process of early growth and development of most organs, especially the brain.

Thus, iodine deficiency can lead to enlargement of the thyroid, low throid levels and intellectual disabilities in infants and children whose mothers were iodine deficient during pregnancy.

How It Affects Your Body

Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) is the most common endocrinopathy in the world and also the most preventable cause of mental retardation. Iodine is tasked with thyroid development. Low levels of blood iodine levels cause the thyroid gland to enlarge to increase iodine absorption. This causes the development of goiters, abnormally enlarged thyroid glands. Hypothyroidism could occur in iodine-deficient individuals. Iodine is necessary for proper thyroid hormone production. Without iodine, hormone levels will dip. This usually causes weight gain, loss of hair, various skin conditions, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and much more. Cretinism also occurs if pregnant moms do not get enough iodine, the baby could be born with a neurological birth defect. This includes mental and physical retardation.

Symptoms

Smoking

Smoking produces thiocyanates that compete with iodine for thyroid gland uptake.

Diet

Diet rich in goitrogens such as cauliflowers, peanuts, soybeans, and more alters thyroid gland function which interferes with iodine uptake and utilization.

Sex

Women are at a higher risk of iodine deficiency.

Geographical Status

Soil iodine contents affect the incidence of iodine deficiencies in the local population. Populations at regions with low soil iodine contents are at a higher risk of developing iodine deficiency.