Iodine Deficiency-Part 3

Besides goiter, iodine deficiency can also cause cretinism - a preventable mental retardation. Cretinism is a condition of severely stunted physical and mental growth due to untreated congenital deficiency of thyroid hormones or congenital hypothyroidism, due to iodine deficiency affected pregnancy.

The infants with cretinism usually have poor length growth at the first year of life. In addition, they also have delayed bone maturation and puberty. Infertility in both sexes is common as well. They may also have mild neurological impairment along with reduced muscle tone and coordination.

In severe cases, they cannot walk or stand by themselves. Cognitive impairment may occur in different severity that they may not able to take care of themselves. They thoughts and reflexes are tend to be slower. Other signs may include thickened skin, enlarged tongue, or a protruding abdomen.

In conclusion, sufficient iodine intake is especially important in women who are pregnant or nursing their infants. Severe iodine deficiency in the mother can cause miscarriages, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and congenital abnormalities in their babies. There are studies suggested that even mild iodine deficiency in the mother can result lower intelligence children.

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Resource:

Zimmermann, M.B.(2009) .Iodine deficiency in pregnancy and the effects of maternal iodine supplementation on the offspring: a review.Am J Clin Ntr, 89(2), 668s-72s

Biochemical Reaction of Iodine in Human Body-Part 1

Digestion, Absorption, Transport and Storage of Iodine

Dietary iodine (I) is either bound to amino acids or found free, primarily in the form of iodate or iodide. For example, iodate from breads is normally reduced to iodide by glutathione. Iodide ion is the best form of iodine to be absorbed.

Iodide is absorbed rapidly and completely in the stomach and gastrointestinal tract.Then it will be carried into circulation by serum protein. Thus, very little iodide found in feces.

Most iodide is trapped in the thyroid gland where it then forms an essential component of thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland contains up to 70% to 80% of the total body iodide. It takes up about 120mg of iodide per day.

Source: Groff J., Gropper S., and Smith J. (2009). Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism.(5th Edition). Belmont, Ca: Wadsworth.

Iodine Deficiency-Part 2

Goiter refers to the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. A goiter when the thyroid gland is producing too much hormone (hyperthyroidism), too little hormone (hypothyroidism), or the correct amount of hormone (euthyroidism). A goiter indicates there is a condition present which is causing the thyroid to grow abnormally. One of the most common causes of goiter formation is iodine deficiency. Goiter was prevalent in the United States many years ago, however it is no longer commonly observed after the presence of -Iodized Salt.

The primary activity of the thyroid gland is to concentrate iodine from the blood to make thyroid hormone. If thyroid gland does not have enough iodine, it cannot make enough thyroid hormone. Therefore, people with iodine deficiency will become hypothyroid. As a result, the pituitary gland in the brain senses low level of thyroid hormone and then sends a signal to the thyroid to stimulate the production of thyroid hormone. This signal is called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The condition will make the thyroid gland to grow in size and this abnormal growth is termed a “goiter”. The cells become enlarged when iodine is not available to complete the thyroxine synthetic process.

Source:
Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients, Micronutrients and Metabolism(2009). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.