10 Signs And Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency You Need To Know
In the U.S., they started adding iodine to the diet in the 1920s.
Iodine deficiencies are also dominant, especially in Europe and Third World
countries, where the food supply and the soil have low levels of iodine.
Iodine is a trace mineral that is present in certain seafood and vegetables and is important
for the functioning of the normal thyroid. And iodine deficiency is simply the insufficient
proportion of iodine in the body. What are the symptoms and
signs of iodine deficiency? And what are the red lights you need to know?
In today’s video, we will share with you the 10
signs and symptoms of iodine deficiency you need to know.
#1 Weakness
When a person lacks a good proportion of iodine, they may likely feel weak. And picking up huge
objects might look more burdensome than it used to be. The simplest way to explain this weakness is
by a person not having as much energy as they used to. Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
slows down the rate of metabolism. This means they convert fewer calories to energy. And less energy
implies the non-efficiency of the muscles. This makes a person feel weak and tired.
However, If a person is not getting adequate rest, it is expected of them to naturally feel weak and
tired. And if tiredness is unexplainable, it may be a symptom of iodine deficiency.
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#2 Unusual Cold
One of the most common symptoms of iodine deficiencies is cold. Research has shown that
about 80% of people with hypothyroidism may be more vulnerable to cold temperatures than usual.
Iodine deficiency can easily make your thyroid levels plummet because iodine is used to make
thyroid hormones. Low thyroid hormone levels may cause the slowing down of the metabolism because
the thyroid hormones are used for metabolism speed control. A slower metabolism produces low heat,
which may result in you feeling colder than usual. Also, thyroid hormones help in boosting the
activity of your brown fat, which specializes in producing heat. So the low thyroid hormone levels,
which may be a result of iodine deficiency, could restrict the brown fat from doing its job.
#3 Changes rate of heartbeat
The heart rate is a measure of the number of times your beats per minute.
Your heartbeat could easily be affected by the levels of iodine in your body.
If you have iodine deficiency, it could lower the rate of your heartbeat and if you have
excessive iodine in your body, it could cause your rate of heartbeat to be faster than normal.
A critical iodine deficiency could result in dizziness, fatigue, and even fainting.
#4 Challenges during pregnancy
One of the most vulnerable groups of people to iodine deficiency in pregnant women. And this
is due to the rate of their consumption to meet their personal daily needs and also for the needs
of their growing baby. During lactation, there is a boost in the demand for iodine as babies’ iodine
through breast milk. Insufficient consumption of iodine throughout the pregnancy and also lactation
may hurt both the mother and the baby. The mothers may fatigue, weakness, and feeling cold-like
symptoms while iodine deficiency in babies may stunt brain development and physical growth.
Also, a prolonged or critical iodine deficiency may boost the risk of stillbirth.
#5 Heavy or Irregular periods
Iodine deficiency may result in heavy or irregularities in menstrual bleedings.
Like some of the symptoms I told you about earlier, this symptom too has
connections with low thyroid levels, provided that iodine is required to make thyroid hormones.
Research shows that women who have more regular menstrual cycles with heavy bleeding are those
suffering from low thyroid hormone levels. This is a result of the disruption of the signals
of hormones involved in the menstrual cycle which is caused by low thyroid hormone levels.
#6 Difficulties in learning and remembering In a study of about 1000 grownups, it was
discovered that those with higher thyroid hormone levels had a better performance
in learning and memory tests, compared to the ones with lower thyroid hormone levels.
These hormones aid your brain’s growth and development. And this means iodine
deficiency needed to make thyroid hormones can decrease the rate of brain development.
#7 Dry, Flaky Skins Thyroid hormones enable
your skin cells to get renewed. When the levels of the thyroid hormone are low, the renewals will not
happen regularly and possibly result in dry, flaky skin. Some research has established that about 77%
of people with low levels of thyroid hormones may experience dry, flaky skin
Furthermore, thyroid hormones help in the regulation of sweat. People with an
iodine deficiency tend to sweat less than people with a sufficient amount of iodine
due to the thyroid hormone levels. Sweat aids your skin moisturization and hydration, and the absence
of sweat may be another reason why dry, flaky skin is a widespread symptom of iodine deficiency.
#8 Swelling in the Neck This is the most common symptom of
iodine deficiency. It is called a "goiter" and it happens when the thyroid gland becomes enlarged.
This occurs when your thyroid gland forcefully generates thyroid hormones when the supply of
iodine in the body is low. The thyroid will strive to absorb more iodine from the blood,
then results in the thyroid becoming enlarged, making the neck appear swollen.
However, most cases can be treated by boosting your iodine intake. However,
if a goiter is not dealt with for many years, it might result in permanent damage to the thyroid.
#9 Weight Gain There may be an unexpected surge
in the weight of a person if the body does not have sufficient iodine to make thyroid hormones.
And this is because the rate of your metabolism is controlled by thyroid hormones.
Metabolism is the process by which your body transforms food into heat and energy.
Your body burns fewer calories at rest when the levels of your thyroid hormone are low.
Unfortunately, this implies that most of the calories from the foods you eat are stored as fat.
You must put in mind that weight gain is not necessarily a sign of an iodine deficiency. The
deficiency of iodine may only be recognized as a symptom when the cause of weight
gain cannot otherwise be explained. Eating excessive calories or not exercising enough
remains the prevalent cause of weight gain. The effects of slow metabolism may be reversed
by adding more iodine to your diet and this can help your body to make more thyroid hormones.
#10 Hair losses Thyroid hormones also help in controlling
the growth of hair follicles. When you have low levels of thyroid hormone, it may affect your hair
follicles by stopping them from regenerating. And over time, this may lead to hair loss. In a study
of 700 people, it was found that 30% of those with iodine deficiency experienced hair loss.
However, some other research has shown that iodine deficiency only appear to result in hair loss
in those with a family history of hair loss If iodine deficiency makes you suffer hair loss,
getting enough iodine may help restore your thyroid hormone levels and stop hair loss.
Iodine deficiency can be reversed with little to no side effects if it is caught before it
gets complicated. But, if it is caught after complications arise, several complications
particularly in children can be permanent. Though if the complications have expanded after iodine
deficiency, make sure you get sufficient iodine to prevent complications from getting
worse. Some people who may not be getting adequate iodine through food often include pregnant women,
vegetarians, and vegans. Take note: The best way to correct iodine deficiency is by a healthy diet.
If your diet alone is not providing enough iodine, you may consider including an iodine supplement.
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