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14 Common Signs of Iodine Deficiency You Should Be Aware Of

Photo credit: Cavan Images - Getty Images
Photo credit: Cavan Images - Getty Images

From Women's Health

When you think of iodine – the chemical element that helps your body produce thyroid hormones and regulate energy – unlike say, Vitamin B12 or calcium, you likely don't think of the specific foodstuffs you get it in.

The biggies for this are fish, shellfish and dairy. You can get iodine in plant-based foods, like cereals, potatoes, nuts and fruit and vegetables, but in lower quantities. Vegan? You can buy plant milks fortified with the stuff, or you could take a supplement, though you may want to chat to your GP about this if you have a health condition, as it could interfere with medication you're taking.

Scroll on for the signs of deficiency you need to know about.


What are the signs of iodine deficiency?

Symptoms typically only appear when iodine deficiency is severe, which is rare. Even though there is a test for iodine deficiency (a urine analysis), and you can ask a general practitioner or an endocrinologist for it, Dr. Pearce says that it’s more often used to examine large populations for public health research, rather than individuals.

'There is huge variation in iodine levels day to day and even hour to hour, so you really need at least 10 or 12 tests in one person to know what the person’s status truly is,' she explains. Still, there are a few red flags to watch out for.

1/ Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)

When your iodine intake falls below 100 micrograms (mcg) per day, your body starts to pump out more of a thyroid hormone called TSH, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This can lead to an enlarged thyroid gland, which is the most common symptom of iodine deficiency, says Dr. Melissa Majumdar, senior bariatric dietitian at the Brigham and Women’s Centre for metabolic and bariatric surgery, where she commonly deals with nutrient deficiencies.

A thyroid gland may or may not be visible as a lump in the front of your neck. 'Sometimes you won’t notice it unless you do an ultrasound or CT imaging,' says Dr. Henderson. If you have an enlarged thyroid gland, you may experience a choking sensation or have difficulty swallowing or breathing.

2/ Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

If your iodine intake dips below 10 to 20 mcg per day, you could experience hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid (meaning your thyroid isn’t producing enough of certain hormones).

Symptoms of this may include:

  • Fatigue

  • Weight gain

  • Hair loss

  • Dry hair

  • Dry skin

  • Constipation

  • Cold intolerance

  • A puffy face

  • Hoarseness

  • Muscle weakness/aches

  • Depression

  • Memory loss

'Patients with hypothyroidism usually have at least two or three symptoms,' says Dr. Henderson. Just note that these symptoms could be due to several other health conditions or even medications that you may be taking, so check in with your doctor to identify the root of the problem.

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