Iodine Deficiency Symptoms, Causes, Tests & Natural Treatments

An iodine deficiency can cause low energy levels, impaired brain function, poor immune resistance and an array of other health problems.

Some common symptoms of having an iodine deficiency include thyroid cysts called goiters, depression, poor cognition, infertility, weight gain, irritability and poor skin health.

Getting enough of this trace mineral is particularly important for pregnant women. Lacking sufficient iodine in the diet can also cause expectant mothers to have higher risks of stillbirth.

Severe deficiencies can cause physical malformations during fetal development as well. Maternal iodine deficiencies are the leading cause of mental retardation in infants throughout much of the world.

The body only needs a small amount of iodine in order to function optimally. Sea vegetables like kelp and wakame seaweed, navy beans, certain fruits, yogurt and cheese are considered good sources to consume.

Iodine

Essential Mineral

Brain Power

Thyroid Function

Weight Loss

How It Works:

• Important for thyroid hormones & metabolism
• Supports mental function & immunity
• Essential nutrient with multiple roles in the body

Dosage:

Between 50 - 250 mg per day

Safety:

Generally Well Tolerated

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Signs of an Iodine Deficiency

Some of the most common signs of not getting enough of this mineral can include brain fog, fatigue, poor immune function and decreased hair, skin and nail strength.

Additional symptoms of an iodine deficiency can include:

• Unexplained weight gain
• Tiredness and lethargy
• Muscle weakness
• Persistent feelings of coldness
• Poor focus and memory
• Depression or irritable mood
• Hair loss or low-quality hair growth
• Slow heart rate or weak heart beat
• Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goitre)
• Dry skin or puffy skin around the face
• Constipation or bowel irregularities

In severe cases, large thyroid goiters can develop. When levels of this mineral are too low, the thyroid gland begins to enlarge to try and capture more of this mineral from the blood. This can be reversed through supplementation and dietary interventions.

If you think are deficient, it is important to check with a doctor before trying to increase your dietary consumption or using a supplement.

A blood lab test can be conducted to measure your current levels of iodine and determine whether you need to increase the amount that you get from foods.

Iodine Deficiency Statistics

Many health professionals believe that iodine deficiencies are at epidemic levels in certain parts of the world. If you live in an area with low iodine content in the soil, then foods farmed from that soil will also contain low levels of this mineral.

Research shows that iodine intake has decreased in the US by more than 50% over the course of the past 40 years or so. It used to be included in breads and various other foods as a fortified ingredient.

However, it is no longer added as a fortified ingredient to many foods. For example, wheat used to be treated with iodine. Now, potassium bromide is used instead.

Bromine, chlorine, fluoride and perchlorate are toxic halides that are detrimental to human health. These chemicals are used widely in society and are known endocrine disruptors.

That means they disrupt hormonal balance throughout the body possibly causing various health conditions.

Halides like bromide competitively inhibit iodine uptake into cells. Halides bind to the same receptors as iodine in the body. When iodine receptors are not available to capture iodine, thyroid dysfunction commonly results.

The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones that are involved in many physiological processes, including the regulation of metabolism, heart rate and body temperature.

When the thyroid lacks sufficient iodine for proper functioning, it is unable to effectively facilitate these processes.

Causes of Iodine Deficiency

As stated, much of the iodine that used to be used in food manufacturing has been replaced with bromide. Further, the water supply in the US and other countries is contaminated with fluoride.

Water fluoridation is supposed to promote dental health in populations, but some argue that there is insufficient research to determine whether it is effective or not. Many countries outside the US have banned the practice of water fluoridation.

We are also regularly exposed to halides in pharmaceuticals, and in various environmental chemicals like pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals inhibit iodine uptake and are linked to various adverse health effects.

For instance, methyl bromide, a common insecticidal fumigant, is known to cause pulmonary edema, congestion, and hemorrhage. [1]

There has been an increase in thyroid disease and hormone sensitive cancers in the United States. This is correlated with the replacement of iodine in foods and increased use of halide chemicals and various other endocrine disruptors.

Comparatively, in Japan, people eat an average of 12.5 mg of iodine every day which is more than 100 times the US Recommended Daily Allowance for this trace mineral. Japanese rates of these same conditions are significantly lower than in the US.

Researchers are interested in investigating whether this is mere correlation or whether it represents causation. More research is required to determine whether increasing iodine intake can reduce instances of these adverse health conditions.

Iodine Function in the Body

Iodine is an essential mineral that is present in all cells, tissues and organs. Nearly 70% of available iodine is utilized by the thyroid gland.

Its primary use is in the synthesis of the thyroid hormones, such as T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). According to Wikipedia, T3 “affects almost every physiological process in the body.”

T3 regulates the basal metabolic rate and determines how much oxygen and energy our cells consume. It is also involved in protein synthesis, glucose and lipid metabolism, cellular development, and in regulating cardiac output.

T3 is so-named because it contains three iodine atoms while T4 contains four atoms. T4 is considered to be a prohormone for triiodothyronine that is made active by removing one of the iodine atoms from the outer ring of its molecule.

Iodine is also important for proper development of nerves inside the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and the eyes. It plays a role in memory formation, intelligence and may be involved in mood regulation.

Most of the iodine found in the human body is taken up by the thyroid gland. After that, breast tissue and ovaries contain the most concentrated reserves in women while in men it is the prostate gland.

This mineral also plays a role in immune function. Recently, iodine deficiency has been linked to prostate cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, thyroid cancer and fibrocystic breast disease.

It is notable that in the 1960s, iodine intake was considerably higher and toxic halide exposure was much lower for most people. Then, the incidence of breast cancer was about 1 in 20 women. Now, it is 1 in 8, and raising about 1% each year.

Some researchers point to this as indication that more people should try to increase their dietary consumption of this mineral. However, more research is needed to determine whether higher iodine intake can affect cancer rates or risk factors for other diseases.

Iodine Deficiency Lab Tests

Doctors can measure the amount of iodine in your system with blood, urine and hair tests. Some tests also measure levels of toxic halides like fluoride and bromide.

Some people supplement their diets with iodine in order to help clear heavy metal accumulations from their bodies. It acts to leach these toxins from the system, but it can take several weeks to work.

During this time, users may experience healing effects that are not pleasant. Some of these include irritability, headaches, mood changes, nausea, diarrhea and certain other symptoms.

Best Food Sources of Iodine

Iodine is found in concentrated amounts in sea vegetables, and marine creatures. However, because of high levels of toxins like mercury in seaweed and aquatic animals, many are concerned about relying on these sources for this mineral.

Iodine deficiency may also be improved if you you increase your regular consumption of foods like unrefined salt, organic yogurt, organic strawberries, raw cheese, organic potatoes and organic navy beans.

Alternately, there are various affordable supplement products available commercially. Examples include nascent iodine liquid drops, kelp tablets, Lugol’s Solution, or Potassium Iodide capsules.

Talk to your doctor about how to best approach getting your iodine levels corrected. Make sure to mention all pre-existing health conditions you have – as well as any medications you use.

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