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Iodine

35 Azn
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Iodine is a chemical element essential for the body, but it cannot be produced internally and must be obtained through food.

Iodine is crucial for the production of thyroid hormones. Without adequate iodine, the thyroid gland cannot produce enough hormones. This leads the gland to work harder, which can cause it to swell, resulting in an enlarged thyroid (goiter) and neck swelling.

Iodine deficiency has severe consequences. Low iodine levels and insufficient thyroid hormones can lead to anovulation and infertility in women. Iodine deficiency can also trigger autoimmune thyroid diseases and increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Some researchers suggest that iodine deficiency may raise the risk of other cancers, such as prostate, breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.

During pregnancy, iodine deficiency is particularly harmful to both mother and child. It can cause high blood pressure in the mother and intellectual disabilities in the child. Iodine plays a critical role in the development of the central nervous system. Severe iodine deficiency can lead to cretinism, a condition characterized by severe physical and mental developmental delays.

  • Sample: Blood collected from a vein
  • Preparation: Fast for 8-14 hours before the test (water is allowed). After a light meal, the test can be done no earlier than 4 hours later.
  • Identifying iodine excess or deficiency in the body
  • Symptoms of iodine excess:
    • Headache, fatigue, weakness, irritability, tearfulness, sleep disturbances
    • Decreased physical and mental performance
    • Depression
    • Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
    • Tremors
    • Goiter (enlarged thyroid tissue) and bulging eyes
    • Rash, acne, skin numbness
    • Iododerma (skin lesions due to prolonged use of iodine-containing drugs)
    • Iodism (aseptic inflammation of the respiratory tract, salivary glands, and sinuses)
  • Symptoms of iodine deficiency:
    • Hypothyroidism (in children: cretinism; in adults: myxedema)
    • Weakness, lethargy, and limb swelling
    • High cholesterol
    • Weight gain
    • Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
    • Constipation
    • Reduced intellectual capacity, slower cognitive reactions, memory issues, poor concentration
    • Neurological and physical defects linked to iodine deficiency during the first six months of maternal pregnancy

Causes of Iodine Excess in the Blood

  • Excessive iodine consumption

Causes of Low Iodine Levels in the Blood

  • Insufficient iodine intake
  • Impaired iodine metabolism

Reasons for Iodine Deficiency

  • Low dietary intake of iodine
  • Insufficient consumption of seafood
  • Lack of iodine supplementation in iodine-deficient regions
  • Presence of dietary inhibitors that reduce iodine absorption and utilization (e.g., excessive bromine, iron, manganese, lead, calcium, chlorine, cobalt)
  • Use of medications that inhibit iodine absorption (e.g., lithium carbonate)
  • Impaired iodine metabolism
  • High radiation exposure
  • Environmental pollution
  • Increased sensitivity to allergens

    Reasons for Iodine Excess

  • Excessive dietary iodine intake
  • Disorders of iodine metabolism