10 signs that iodine deficiency

Feeling constantly cold, hair loss, hard to remember, irregular menstruation . you should check the amount of iodine in the diet.

Iodine is an essential mineral for the body, having a major role in the formation of thyroid hormones. Iodine helps to control growth, repair damaged cells and support the metabolism of the body.

However, currently up to 1/3 of people worldwide are at risk of iodine deficiency. The people most at risk include pregnant women, those who do not use iodized salt and who follow a vegetarian diet.

Good iodine is not much in our daily diet. On average, we should eat about 150 mcg of iodine per day. However, pregnant or lactating women need more. Pregnant women need 220 mcg of iodine every day and breastfeeding women need 290 mcg of iodine.

Iodine is found in dried seaweed, yogurt, iodized salt, shrimp, eggs, tuna, and prunes.

Here are 10 signs that iodine is deficient:

Goiter

When TSH levels in the blood rise, the thyroid gland uses iodine to make thyroid hormones. However, iodine deficiency cannot produce enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland forces more work, causing the cells to grow and multiply, resulting in a swollen neck area, often called a goiter.

Most cases can be treated by increasing the amount of iodine in the body. However, the treatment of goiter for many years can cause permanent thyroid damage.

Sudden weight gain

Sudden weight gain is another sign of iodine deficiency. This usually happens when the body does not have enough iodine to make thyroid hormone. Because thyroid hormones help control the body's metabolic rate, it is the body's process of turning food into energy and heat.

When your thyroid hormone levels are low, your body will burn fewer calories, causing the calories from the food you consume, instead of being burned as energy, to be converted to stored as fat.

Feeling tired

Fatigue and weakness are also common symptoms of iodine deficiency. Some studies have found that nearly 80% of people with low thyroid hormone levels, mainly due to iodine deficiency, will often feel tired, sluggish and weak.

Thyroid hormones have a role in helping the body generate energy. When thyroid hormone levels are low, the body cannot get enough iodine to produce the usual energy. This can lead to lack of energy and fatigue.

Alopecia

Thyroid hormones help control the growth of hair follicles. Low levels of thyroid hormone may interfere with the regeneration of hair follicles. Over time, this condition can lead to hair loss. People with iodine deficiency may also experience hair loss.

One study found that 30% of people with low thyroid hormone had hair loss. However, other studies have found that low thyroid hormone levels cause hair loss only in people with a family history of hair loss.

Dry and flaky skin

People with iodine deficiency often have dry and flaky skin problems. Some studies have found that 77% of people with low thyroid hormone levels may experience dry, flaky skin.

Thyroid hormone, containing iodine, will promote the regeneration process of skin cells. When thyroid hormone levels are low, this process is hindered, resulting in dry and flaky skin.

Feeling colder than usual

Normally, thyroid hormones help control the body's metabolic rate. Therefore, low thyroid hormone levels can slow that process, the body produces less heat, which can make you feel colder than usual.

In addition, thyroid hormone enhances the activity of brown fat, a type of fat that specializes in heat production. Low levels of iodine hormone due to iodine deficiency reduce the effect of brown fat.

Abnormally slow heartbeat

Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute. It may be affected by iodine levels in the body. When the body is iodine deficient, the heart rate will beat slower than normal, whereas too much iodine can cause the heart to beat faster than normal.

An abnormally slow heartbeat makes you feel weak, tired, dizzy and may faint.

Hard to remember

Iodine deficiency affects the ability to learn and remember. In fact, studies have found that hippocampus is a part of the forebrain that has long-term memory control function, which is usually smaller in people with hormone levels. low thyroid.

Thyroid hormone helps the brain grow and develop. That is why iodine deficiency can impair brain development.

Foods rich in iodine.(Illustration).

Having many problems during pregnancy

Pregnant women are at high risk for iodine deficiency because they need to consume just enough to meet their own daily needs, as well as the needs of fetal development. Iodine demand is constantly increasing during breastfeeding, as infants receive iodine through breast milk.

Therefore, if you do not tolerate enough iodine during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it can cause side effects for both mother and baby.

The mother may experience symptoms associated with an underactive thyroid, such as a goiter, weakness, fatigue and feeling cold. Meanwhile, infant iodine deficiency can inhibit physical development and brain development. In addition, severe iodine deficiency may increase the risk of stillbirth.

Menstruation is too much or irregular

Iodine deficiency can cause excessive bleeding during menstruation and irregular periods. Like most symptoms of iodine deficiency, this condition is also associated with low thyroid hormone levels.

One study found that 68% of women with low thyroid hormone levels had irregular menstrual periods, compared to 12% of healthy women. In addition, women with low levels of thyroid hormone will have more bleeding during their periods. The reason is that low thyroid hormone levels interrupt the signals of hormones related to the menstrual cycle.

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