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Learn MoreIodine Deficiency
It is well known that iodine is needed to prevent disorders such as goiter, cretinism, and mental retardation. Although many medical professionals believe you only need enough iodine to keep goiter at bay, that’s not enough for the entire body to function well.
Insufficient iodine in the bloodstream can cause problems with hair loss, lethargy, depression, headaches, body temperature regulation, decreased libido, difficulty losing weight, dry skin, and painful menstrual periods.
There are many benefits to having adequate amounts of iodine –
- Helps the pituitary/adrenal response to stress
- Mucolytic (breaks of mucus)
- Antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic
- Prevents goiter, autoimmune thyroid conditions, thyroid cancer
- Needed to produce thyroid hormones (T3)
Iodine is an essential mineral that’s needed not just by the thyroid gland, but the entire body. School children who have iodine deficiency have a lower intelligence level and can experience learning disabilities. Pregnant women who get enough iodine are more likely to prevent miscarriages and give birth to healthy babies.
The brain, via the pituitary gland, produces polypeptides that stimulate hormones and glands. The brain also regulates the size of the glands and how well they produce hormones.
The thyroid gland, located at the base of the throat, plays a major role in metabolism, circulation, mood, temperature regulation, digestion, elimination, bone mass, elimination, cognitive function, and immune regulation.
In the early 1900s there was increased incidence of goiter in the western states. For this reason, iodine was added to salt, and the results were amazing. Goiter was significantly reduced. By 1951 less than .5 percent of school age children had goiter.
Since that time, the amount of iodine needed to prevent goiter is the gold standard for iodine intake; however, the rest of the body’s need for iodine was not considered. The recommended level for iodine stands at 150 mcg daily for men and women, 220 mcg daily during pregnancy, and 290 mcg daily during lactation.
In the 1960s iodine was added to baked goods as an anti-caking agent. Once slice of bread contained as much as the daily requirement of 150 mcg so there was plenty of iodine in the food supply even if people didn’t eat salt.
In the 1980s it was decided there was too much iodine in baked goods, so iodine was replaced with bromide. Bromide is a halide, meaning it is in the same class as fluoride, chloride, and iodine. Since these elements are so similar, iodine receptors quickly fill up with these other elements and iodine is rendered ineffective.
It takes large amounts of iodine to displace halides such as fluoride and chloride. Evidence of this can be seen in the rising levels of thyroid related illness—thyroid cancer and autoimmune thyroid disorders such as breast, prostate, endometrial, and ovarian cancer.
Another reason for low levels of iodine in Western diets is chronic stress. Stress can greatly interfere with hormone production and disturb the brain-gland connection.
Do you know someone who is sensitive to temperature, depressed, constipated, etc.? The thyroid gland is the first place to look and the test is not expensive.
Be aware that even if your doctor orders a TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) test, the results may be skewered because your stress levels have driven your hormonal levels low or high.
In the case of a high reading ( 2.5-5) the thyroid is sluggish and not producing enough hormone. In the caser of a low reading the presumption is the brain thinks there is plenty of thyroid hormone and therefore isn’t producing much. So you can see that measuring the pituitary is not an accurate method. It’s more accurate to measure the free circulating hormone level in the blood.
According to the National Health & Nutrition Survey (NHANES), iodine levels in the US are down 50 percent. While we only need a minute amount of iodine for health—about a teaspoon full for our entire life. The problem is that the body does not store iodine, so we must have a regular daily intake of iodine.
Some of the reasons for iodine insufficiency are related environment. Hypertension, which is rampant in the US causes many people to avoid salt — further reducing iodine levels in the body.
Certain beverages are goitrogens–that is substances that decrease iodine uptake. Common goitrogens are –
- Chlorine in pools
- Splenda
- Fluoride in water supplies
- Bromide in soft drinks (Mountain Dew & Gatorade)
- Radioactive testing
Adding iodine to your diet is simple enough. The best natural sources of iodine are sea vegetables and kelp like Nori, Kombu, or Dulse.
FFP Laboratories offers the Iodine Loading Test where urine is collected throughout the day after ingesting iodine. If iodine levels are sufficient, 90 percent will pass from the body into the urine. The more that remains in the body, the greater the need for iodine.
Who should not take iodine? Have your doctor run a TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies) blood test. If it is positive, do not take iodine. There are some people who are allergic to iodine, but most often it is really shellfish they are allergic to.
If you have a family history of thyroid disorders or an existing thyroid problem, you should avoid iodine and seek medical advice.
Reference: Hypothyroidism Breakthrough |Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What the Doctor Doesn’t Tell You …
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Its a very good article. I learned a lot from this. Thanks.
ReplyI did a self test (By channelling) and got that I needed Iodine. Looking at your article confirms for me why I need iodine in my diet as a supplement. It is vry comprehensive and simple to read too. Thank you for the information.
ReplyIodine deficiency was once the leading cause of hypothyroid disorders. Iodine supplementation in table salt has largely eliminated iodine deficiency in the developed world, but it’s still worth checking if your iodine levels are adequate. If you are NOT suffering iodine deficiency, one should not take iodine supplements as too much iodine can actually cause thyroid problems.
Nice post btw
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ReplyNeat…. loved the pic. Just out circle surfin’. Have a a great week end! /Christina
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ReplyThis is really informative…I was not aware of so many benefits of iodine..Thanks for the post..:)
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Iodine is one of the major micronutrient of the body. Its imbalance in the body leads to thyroid dysfunction. This post is very informative. I liked reading it.
ReplyGreat to see that a lack of iodine can cause depression and/or depression symptoms. To many people fall back on “chemical imbalance” when in fact it could be dietary. Its important to rule out dietary issues first before seeking depression medications
ReplySo, it means we have to eat more salt with iodine right?
However, I heard too many salt is also not good for our body too.
ReplyNadine@Hair Grow Shampoo´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at
Iodine supplementation in table salt has largely eliminated iodine deficiency in the developed world, but it’s still worth checking if your iodine levels are adequate.
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What a great article. You make things more simple to understand. Thanks for all of your research and sharing.
ReplyWill
Will @ Hypothyroidism Diet´s last blog ..The Risk Factors of Hypothyroidism
In the elderly, iodine deficiencies and other types of anemia often lead to symptoms that resemble dementia, which are more common in those over 65, as it is common for them to have a poorer diet and not get enough of the essential daily nutrients. That is interesting that fluoride blocks the absorption of iodine, as in the US it is commonly added to peoples drinking water. I wonder how much of an impact this has…
ReplySteve@Lift Chairs´s last blog ..Making it Easier for Seniors to Live on Their Own
Iodine is an essential trace element; the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodotyronine contain iodine. In areas where there is little iodine in the diet—typically remote inland areas where no marine foods are eaten—iodine deficiency gives rise to goiter (so-called endemic goiter), as well as cretinism, which results in developmental delays and other health problems. While noting recent progress, The Lancet noted, “According to WHO, in 2007, nearly 2 billion individuals had insufficient iodine intake, a third being of school age. … Thus iodine deficiency, as the single greatest preventable cause of mental retardation, is an important public-health problem.
ReplyA low amount of triiodiothyronine (T3, one of the two thyroid hormones) in the blood, due to lack of dietary iodine to make it, should (but doesn’t always) give rise to high levels of thyroid stimulating hormone TSH, which stimulates the thyroid gland to increase many biochemical processes; the cellular growth and proliferation can result in the characteristic swelling or hyperplasia of the thyroid gland, or goiter. The introduction of iodized salt since the early 1900s has eliminated this condition in many affluent countries; however, in Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries, iodine deficiency is a significant public health problem.[4] It is more common in third-world nations. Public health initiatives to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease have resulted in lower discretionary salt use at the table, and with a trend towards consuming more processed foods. The non-iodized salt used in these foods also means that people are less likely to obtain iodine from adding salt during cooking.
ReplyDoes anyone know of any great or unique health/beauty tips? I try to moisturize every day to maintain soft skin. And I mix like 3 conditioners and leave them in my hair for 5 minutes while I soap up. That keeps my hair very soft and silky. I was just wondering what other tips were out there.I heard put coffee grinds on your skin mixed with water and the caffeine wakes up your skin and makes it look great.
ReplyIodine is one of the major micronutrient of the body. Its imbalance in the body leads to thyroid dysfunction. This post is very informative. I liked reading it.
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Would like to add something concerning isuficiency of iodine and hair loss problems. Iodine is really essential when it comes to treating hair loss. Though, you will need a certain type of it. Not the one that is found in iodized salt. But rather the one from organic food sources (milk, eggs, berries, cheese, etc.)
ReplyElena@Products for Hair Loss´s last blog ..Ethnic Hair Types & Hair Care Products
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