Iodine Deficiency - Part 1

According to American Thyroid Association(ATA), iodine is an element that is needed for the production of thyroid hormone. Our body does not make iodine, so it is an essential mineral and only come from our diet.

Iodine not only found in iodized salt, it also can be found in breads, cheese, saltwater fish, cow’s milk, seaweed (including kelp, dulce, nori), eggs, shellfish, frozen yogurt, soy milk and soy sauce. We need enough iodine in our body to make enough thyroid hormone.

Iodine deficiency can lead to enlargement of the thyroid—goiter, hypothyroidism and mental retardation in infants and children whose mothers were iodine deficient during pregnancy.

Despite all the effects of iodine deficiency, too much of iodine can cause toxicity. A tolerable upper intake level is 1100mg/day. The adverse effects occurs at intake of ~ 1700mg/day. The toxicity signs and symptoms are burning sensation of mouth, throat and stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. When urinary iodine concentration has reached up to 500mg/dL, it is considered iodine toxicity and indicates thyroid dysfunction(called Wolff-Chaikoff effect).

* I am going to explain how iodine is related to goiter in next post. Thanks for stopping by.