Iodine deficiency can cause mental decline, hypothyroidism, goiter, and complications during pregnancy. It is common in areas where iodine is not abundant in soil and food. Treatment includes specialized diets, supplements, and iodized salt.
Iodine deficiency refers to a lack of the chemical element iodine in the diet. Iodine is important in promoting the development and release of thyroid hormones, which are essential for powering many mental and bodily processes. A shortage of iodine in the diet can lead to mental decline, hypothyroidism, goiter, and complications during pregnancy. Iodine deficiency can affect anyone, although it is especially common in geographic areas where available food resources lack the necessary amounts of the element. Doctors usually treat deficiencies by recommending specialized diets and prescribing supplements and multivitamins.
Deficiencies are common in areas where iodine is not abundant in soil and food. Seafood and crops grown in nutrient-rich soils are often the best sources of iodine, and people living far from coastal regions and at high altitudes may not have access to such foods. In many places, iodine deficiency has been prevented by fortifying farmland with the element and adding iodized salts to foods. However, the condition still exists in some regions of the world, and people anywhere can experience iodine deficiency due to personal dietary choices.
Iodine stimulates the production of thyroid hormones, which help in metabolic processes and brain function. Hypothyroidism, a lack of thyroid hormones, is a common effect of iodine deficiency. People with hypothyroidism typically experience some degree of fatigue, muscle cramps, dry skin, and many other symptoms. Iodine deficiency can also cause the thyroid gland in the neck to swell and swell in the form of a goiter. A severe lack of iodine can affect mental functioning, causing concentration problems, confusion, and potentially permanent brain damage.
Pregnant women who lack the necessary amounts of iodine can face many problems. Too little iodine in a mother’s diet can cause a baby to be born with lifelong mental retardation and hearing problems. In addition to mental problems, a baby may not grow as quickly or fully as healthy babies. Lack of iodine in a pregnant woman also increases the chances of stillbirth.
Doctors usually diagnose iodine deficiency by checking for signs of hypothyroidism and goiter. Once a diagnosis is made, a doctor may encourage the patient to eat more seafood, dairy products, vegetables, and iodized salt. Prescription supplements and over-the-counter multivitamins can also help restore healthy iodine levels in the body. In some severe cases, doctors may decide to inject iodine-rich solutions directly into the bloodstream. With treatment and a healthy diet, most people can overcome iodine deficiency symptoms in less than a month.
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