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Symptoms of an iodine deficiency can include goiter (enlarged thyroid), hormonal imbalance, fatigue, weight gain and depression.
In more serious cases, an iodine deficiency can cause mental retardation and deformed fetal development.
According to the World Health Organization, as many as 2 billion people are lacking iodine globally. Of those, about 50 million are believed to be suffering from severe symptoms.
Many health professionals believe the current estimates of iodine deficiency rates to be too low. Some doctors believe that as many as 19 in 20 people have low levels of this mineral in the body.
What are the most common signs of not having enough of this important element in the diet? What can you do to increase your consumption through food sources or iodine supplements?
Brain Power
Thyroid Function
Weight Loss- Important for thyroid hormones & metabolism
- Supports mental function & immunity
- Essential nutrient with multiple roles in the body
Top Iodine Products* ❯Iodine Deficiency Symptoms
According to Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM, “Iodine deficiency symptoms manifest as a result of improper thyroid hormone production.”
Health problems result when the thyroid gland lacks sufficient iodine to synthesize T3, T4 and other thyroid hormones. These hormones play an important role in energy metabolism, growth, and more.
Iodine is required for the synthesis of T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). T3 is a thyroid hormone that has a 3-iodine atomic structure while T4 has 4 iodine atoms per molecule.
When the body has low levels of this mineral, the thyroid cannot make hormones required for various important body processes – including metabolism, heat regulation and heart rate modulation.
Iodine deficiency symptoms vary between people, but can include:
- Imbalanced mental states, like depression and anxiety;
- Brain damage at birth from fetal hypothyroidism;
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter);
- Slowed brain functioning and inability to focus;
- Slowed metabolic rate, weight gain and low energy levels;
- Mental retardation and low IQ;
- Constipation;
- Autism;
Other signs of a deficiency include decreased immune system strength, low libido (sex drive) and/or emotional imbalance.
Importance of Iodine Levels
Iodine is involved in many important functions in the body and exhibits antioxidant properties. An deficiency can increase the risk of damage from free radicals, reactive oxygen species and other harmful agents.
This is especially true for cells in the thyroid gland, particularly when it is adversely affected by toxic halide accumulations of fluoride, chlorine, perchlorate and goitrogens.
Some people who are lacking iodine find themselves more susceptible to flus and colds. Many women with deficiencies develop health issues that are marked by the formation of cysts.
In one study from the Canadian Journal of Surgery, more than 70% of patients with fibrocystic breast disease showed improvements in symptoms when treated with an iodine supplement.
Researchers are exploring the possibility that a deficiency in this mineral can disrupt organ performance throughout the body – and possibly lead to total organ failure if not corrected.
Other potential health risks are being explored clinically. Researchers are currently trying to determine whether there is a link between low levels of this mineral in the diet and conditions including breast, stomach and prostate cancer.
In preliminary animal studies, iodine deficiencies appear to increase cancerous malignancies. Some animals experience less malignant cancers when given supplements. More research is needed to determine how this compound affects cancer in humans.
Some doctors recommend using a special type of iodine supplement for increased absorption and health benefits. It is called nascent iodine, meaning it has an electromagnetic charge due to an incomplete number of electrons.
Nascent iodine has been used in the US since the 1920’s because of its superior bioavailabiluty when compared to other forms. One popular brand name is Detoxadine®.
Dosage Recommendations
In the 1920’s in the US, people in the states of Michigan and Ohio were found to be developing goiter at alarming rates. Goiters are a sign of insufficient iodine in the body because the thyroid gets enlarged to compensate for deficiency.
To combat the widespread deficiency, the US government decided to iodinate table salt as a cost-effective solution to the goiter epidemic. Research showed that consumption of 150 micrograms daily of iodine was the lowest amount that worked at reversing goiter formations.
At that time, 150 micrograms of iodine became the basis for the current US RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for this nutrient. Many doctors argue that this level is too low.
In Japan, the average adult woman consumes about 12.5 milligrams of iodine daily. Japanese women have far lower rates of hormone-sensitive cancers than women in the US and other countries.
As a dietary supplement, common recommendations for dosages range between 12 and 50 mg daily. Iodine should not be taken without cycling off periodically.
There is some concern about adverse effects associated with too much iodine in the diet leading to positioning or toxicity. This is a risk when consuming very high amounts of this mineral or if taking it in certain concentrated forms.
If you think you may be deficient in this compound, you should ask your doctor about the best iodine dose and supplement for you to use.
Foods to Eat
The best way to overcome signs of an iodine deficiency is to appropriately increase your intake. This can be accomplished with dietary supplements, or by eating foods that are high in natural iodine.
Avoiding endocrine disruptors like fluoride and bromide is also very important for raising levels.
The foods with the most iodine in them are vegetables that grow in the sea. Kelp and other seaweeds are the most concentrated sources. Marine creatures that eat sea vegetables are also good sources.
Many consumers are concerned that the water supply is contaminated with various toxins like radiation, mercury and more. Many people are worried about eating sea-sourced iodine foods.
Other sources of natural iodine include unrefined sea salt, raw cheese, organic strawberries, organic yogurt and organic navy beans. Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, turnip greens and chard are also excellent sources.
Side Effects
Taken orally, potassium iodide can cause side effects including nausea, abdominal pain, rhinorrhea (abnormal mucus in nasal cavity), headaches, metallic tastes and diarrhea.
Research shows that these side effects are minimized in most people simply by avoiding rapid dosage increases.
Iodine can interact with certain medications and health conditions. If you think you are experiencing iodine deficiency symptoms, then it is best to talk with your doctor about them. Make sure to mention all medications and herbal supplements you take.
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- Kapil U1. Health consequences of iodine deficiency. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2007 Dec;7(3):267-72.
- Ahad, Farhana, and Shaiq A. Ganie. “Iodine, Iodine Metabolism and Iodine Deficiency Disorders Revisited.” Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 14.1 (2010): 13–17. Print.
- Sterling JB1, Heymann WR. Potassium iodide in dermatology: a 19th century drug for the 21st century-uses, pharmacology, adverse effects, and contraindications. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000 Oct;43(4):691-7.
Article last updated on: July 15th, 2018 by Nootriment