Iodine deficiency

introduction

iodine is a trace element that humans only about food can take.
Of the daily iodine requirement of a person lies between 150 and 200 micrograms.
In Germany there is relatively little iodine in the groundwater and in the soil, which is why there is a natural iodine deficiency here.
99% of the iodine ingested are used by the body Manufacture of thyroid hormones used.
A Iodine deficiency So mainly affects the Thyroid function out.

However, a large part of table salt in Germany is iodized, and baked goods and finished products are also mixed with iodine.
As a result, the supply of iodine in the German population has greatly improved; it is assumed that around 70% of the population is supplied with sufficient iodine. Iodine is excreted in the urine.

Iodine deficiency is defined as a Iodine excretion in the urine of less than 100 micrograms of iodine per gram of creatinine in the urine.
Creatinine is a metabolic product that is also excreted in the urine and provides an indication of kidney function.
Iodine is For the manufacture of Thyroid hormones essential important a Iodine deficiency can therefore Thyroid disorders cause.

thyroid

iodine is for the Production of the thyroid hormones T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) necessary.
The thyroid gland absorbs iodine from the blood by means of an iodide-sodium transporter.
In the thyroid gland, the iodide is oxidized to iodine and then used to produce T3 and T4. Finished T3 and T4 are stored in the thyroid gland until released.

A healthy thyroid can store enough iodine, to the Body sufficient for 3 months with thyroid hormones.
If the body suffers from an iodine deficiency, the thyroid gland counteracts it and converts hormone production in favor of T3.
T3 contains only 3 iodine atoms, whereas T4 contains four iodine atoms. This change enables iodine to be saved.

At severe iodine deficiency the thyroid can no longer adequately maintain hormone production via this mechanism The level of T3 and T4 in the blood decreases.

The low level of hormones in the blood leads to the formation of TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone). TSH causes increased iodine uptake from the intestine, depletes the stores for T3 and T4 in the thyroid and stimulates the Thyroid hormone production on.
TSH has a growth-promoting effect on the thyroid cells, creating a Swelling of the thyroid gland, also Goiter (Goiter) called, arises.

As a result of long-term iodine deficiency, one develops underactive thyroid.
The symptoms affect the metabolism of the connective tissue and the energy balance.
Consequences are Fatigue, drive disorders, concentration problems, weight gain, constipation, brittle nails, dry hair.

You can find out more here Symptoms of hypothyroidism

A underactive thyroid due to iodine deficiency medicinal be treated well.

causes

Because iodine not from the body self produced it must be ingested with food.
An iodine deficiency is therefore the result of having ingested less iodine with food than the body actually needs.

In Germany there is relatively little iodine in the groundwater and in the soil, which is why there is one here natural iodine deficiency.
Especially in Mountain regions There is very little iodine in the groundwater and in the soil, so the food there contains little iodine. In these regions, a large number of people suffer from iodine deficiency because they take in too little iodine with their food.

Some Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can become one Iodine deficiency cause the iodine from food not properly absorbed into the body can be.
Most affected patients also have one Lack of other nutrients.

Of course, iodine deficiency can also arise if the Body needs more iodine than usual.
Just at Children and adolescents in growth, at Pregnant women and at breastfeeding mothers is the Increased iodine requirement. These groups of people are therefore prone to iodine deficiency.

Signs

A slight iodine deficiency can be compensated quite well by the thyroid gland and is usually not noticed because the thyroid gland only enlarges to a small extent and thus ensures the production of hormones again.

If the iodine deficiency persists over a long period of time, the thyroid gland can enlarge more and a goiter (goiter) develops.
A goiter can become noticeable by a feeling of pressure or lump in the throat, even if you cannot yet see it from the outside. A larger goiter can narrow the windpipe and cause shortness of breath.

You can find more information on the subject here: Goiter

If the iodine deficiency persists for a very long time and is very pronounced, the thyroid gland can only compensate for the deficiency with difficulty and an underactive thyroid is the result.

Thyroid hormones are necessary for the control of many processes in the body, for example growth, energy metabolism and bone formation.
An underactive thyroid is reflected in symptoms in these areas.
Patients complain of constipation, feel less fit, and have less drive to do things. Difficulty concentrating can also be a symptom, making patients feel tired and mentally less efficient.
Symptoms can progress to depression.

The disturbed energy metabolism lowers the body's basal metabolic rate and makes the patient freeze and gain weight.
Thyroid hormones are also involved in the metabolism of connective tissue: dry skin, dry hair and brittle nails can be the result.

Iodine deficiency in pregnancy

In the pregnancy and in the Lactation is the Increased iodine requirementbecause the mother's body not only has to supply itself with sufficient iodine, but also the unborn or newborn.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is more difficult to get enough iodine from food because of the increased iodine requirement.

Pregnant and nursing mothers should therefore 150 to 200 micrograms of iodine daily take in. Already in the 12th week of pregnancy begins the thyroid of the unborn Child with the Hormone production.

The Thyroid hormones are for the physical and mental maturation absolutely necessary.
An iodine deficiency in the newborn causes disorders of the thyroid function.
The consequence can be a Icterus neonatorum prolongatus This means that the newborn's jaundice lasts longer than in children without iodine deficiency.

Newborns with iodine deficiency are also lazy to drink, suffer more often from constipation and move less.
The reflexes of the muscles, e.g. of the Patellar tendon reflex weaker pronounced. Umbilical hernias are more common with impaired thyroid function due to iodine deficiency than in newborns with a fully functional thyroid.

The iodine deficiency during pregnancy causes an underactive thyroid, which then develops Hearing loss, a Speech disorder, a Growth retardation and mental retardation.
The mental retardation is already like this after three weeks strongly pronouncedthat the distance to normally developed children can no longer be caught.
Therefore will in Germany every newborn to an underactive thyroid (e.g. tested by iodine deficiency).

Goiter

A goiter or goiter describes an enlargement of the thyroid gland and is the most common endocrine disorder. In iodine deficient areas, up to 30% of adults have iodine deficiency goiter.
Goiter can develop in various thyroid diseases, iodine deficiency is one of them.

Iodine deficiency activates growth factors in the thyroid gland, the cells of the thyroid gland divide, more cells are formed and the thyroid gland swells.
As a result of the iodine deficiency, fewer thyroid hormones are produced; a deficiency in thyroid hormones leads to increased growth of the thyroid cells due to the release of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone, see above), so the individual cells become larger.

Both mechanisms contribute to the formation of the goiter.
A goiter can make the throat feel pressure or lumpy. A small goiter is usually fine, but a large goiter can displace the windpipe and make breathing difficult. It is also possible that the cartilage of the windpipe is damaged and broken down (tracheomalacia).

The enlarged thyroid gland becomes nodular over time, which can create autonomy for the thyroid gland. An autonomous node produces thyroid hormones without submitting to the normal control system of the body.

A large and lumpy goiter should be operated on, as well as a goiter that obstructs the other organs in the neck or a goiter that recurs after surgery.
A goiter caused by iodine deficiency is in many cases symmetrical and soft.

The thyroid gland can maintain a good metabolic state through the formation of the goiter.
An enlarged thyroid gland that produces a normal amount of hormones is called a euthyroid goiter.

You can find more information on the topic here: Goiter

Hair loss due to iodine deficiency

The Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are important for many different metabolic processes in the body.
Among other things, they control the metabolism of the connective tissue, including the hair.
A Subfunction the thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency can become too dry and brittle hair and increased hair loss to lead.

The hair looks dull and dull, the hair density and / or the hair diameter can decrease. In addition to the hair on the head, the eyebrows or other body hair can also be affected.

therapy

Iodine deficiency is treated by taking iodine.
Adults with iodine deficiency should consume 150 to 200 micrograms of iodine per day, children only 100 micrograms.
By taking iodine, the iodine deficiency-related enlargement of the thyroid gland can be reduced by 10% because iodine slows down the rate of division of thyroid cells.

Patients whose iodine-deficient goiter has already developed autonomous areas should not take iodine, as this can lead to uncontrolled hyperfunction of the thyroid gland.

If a patient suffers not only from iodine deficiency, but also from hypothyroidism caused by the deficiency, the intake of iodine should be combined with the intake of thyroid hormones (e.g. L-thyroxine).
This can reduce the size of the thyroid gland by 20%.

Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should also take 150 to 200 micrograms of iodine daily to prevent iodine deficiency in mother and child.

One measure to improve the iodine supply of a population is the iodination of table salt, baked goods and canned food.