Iodine is essential for the health and function of our thyroid. Unfortunately, an undersupply of the mineral is not uncommon in Germany either. You can use these seven symptoms to identify a possible iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism.
An undersupply or even an iodine deficiency can have far-reaching consequences. If we supply the body with too little iodine over a longer period of time, the thyroid gland can no longer produce the important hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) sufficiently. This can slow down the metabolism and have a negative impact on our development and health. According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), around 30 percent of the population in Germany have a daily iodine intake below the estimated average requirement. The following symptoms can occur with undersupply or deficiency.
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Iodine deficiency: These 7 symptoms can occur
If we take in too little iodine, the thyroid gland enlarges to compensate for the deficit and continue to produce the same amount of hormones. In the long run, however, the thyroid cannot compensate for the iodine deficiency and the result is hypothyroidism and the following seven symptoms.
1. Goiter formation on the neck
The most visible symptom of an iodine deficiency is the notorious goiter on the neck, also called goiter . It is the result of an enlarged thyroid trying to compensate for the iodine deficiency. If a goiter is already visible on the neck, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible, as this indicates a severe iodine deficiency.
2. Sudden weight gain
Since thyroid hormones are involved in metabolism, hypothyroidism as a result of iodine deficiency slows down your fat burning . This leads to a sharp increase in body weight in many of those affected if no appropriate treatment is given. Sudden weight gain with the same diet is therefore always a warning signal.
3. Fatigue
If the thyroid does not manage to produce enough T3 and T4 despite enlargement, we feel tired and even tend to have low moods . While fatigue can be a symptom of many different nutritional deficiencies or medical conditions. However, if it occurs in connection with weight gain or goitre, you should have a doctor examine you for an iodine deficiency.
4. Hair loss
In fact, iodine deficiency can also lead to hair loss, since thyroid hormones affect the growth of hair follicles . If there is a lack of iodine and thus the hormones T3 or T4, the follicles cannot be formed in sufficient quantities and hair loss occurs. Fortunately, correcting the deficiency in time can stop hair loss in most cases.
5. Cognitive impairments
In the unborn and in developing children, thyroid hormones are also important for cell division and thus for brain development . Therefore, a chronic undersupply of iodine in children can be reflected in poorer school performance. In fact, severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy is the most common reason for preventable brain damage in newborns worldwide. However, such a shortage hardly ever occurs in Western countries due to the medical care and nutrient supply of pregnant women.
6. Heavy menstrual bleeding
In 2015, a clinical study with 55 patients who suffered from heavy menstrual bleeding showed how severely an undersupplied thyroid gland can upset the body’s hormonal balance . In 19 of them, the researchers attributed the excessive and irregular bleeding to an underactive or overactive thyroid gland. The positive: A correction of the thyroid disorder was able to normalize the bleeding in the affected women again, so that no further medication was necessary to correct the hormone balance.
7. Sensitivity to cold
Thyroid hormones affect our body temperature in two ways: on the one hand, they accelerate the heartbeat and dilate the blood vessels; on the other hand, they drive the metabolism of macronutrients (protein, fats, carbohydrates), releasing heat. According to the German Thyroid Center , if the thyroid gland is less active as a result of an iodine deficiency, this can lead to increased sensitivity to cold.
This is how you cover your iodine requirements through your diet
The daily iodine requirement for adults is 200 micrograms a day . Babies and children need less, pregnant and breastfeeding women more. If no iodized salt is used, 96% of men and 97% of women in Germany are below the recommended daily dose . This was the result of the 2008 National Consumption Study by the Max Rubner Institute . Therefore, sufficient coverage via iodine-rich foods is extremely important.
You can find a lot of iodine in:
- seefisch,
- seaweed and seaweed,
- dark green vegetables (spinach, broccoli and kale),
- dairy products,
- peanuts,
- iodised table salt.
But not only iodine is of great importance for the health of the thyroid gland, but also the nutrients selenium , vitamin A, zinc and iron.
