The deficiency of iodine can lead to severe body-related issues. Unfortunately, up to a third of people worldwide may be exhibiting iodine deficiency symptoms where iodine intake is low.
2. Importance of Iodine
● Iodine is one of the most essential minerals needed to survive through our daily chores
found in seafood.
● The deficiency of iodine can lead to severe body-related issues.
● Upto a third of people worldwide may be exhibiting iodine deficiency symptoms where
iodine intake is low.
● The thyroid gland in your body uses this iodine to produce thyroid hormone.
● This hormone is responsible to conduct vital functions including repairing your damaged
cells and keeping your metabolism up and running.
● Vegetarians and pregnant women are susceptible to iodine deficiency.
● People who live in South and Southeast Asia and European countries as the soil there
have very less proportion of iodine.
3. 8 symptoms of iodine deficiency:
1. Weight gain
● Sudden and unexpected weight gain is
common symptom of iodine deficiency.
● Due to iodine deficiency, there is a lack of
thyroid hormone.
● This lack leads to the storage of calories in the
body in the form of fat which in turn increases
the weight of the body.
● Please be mindful as weight gain is not always
a sign of iodine deficiency.
4. 8 symptoms of iodine deficiency:
2. Feeling fatigued all the time
● A person having hypothyroidism feels fatigued
most of the time.
● This is because due to lack of iodine the
metabolic rate reduces so no enough energy to
perform routine functions.
● Less energy does not let your muscles lift
heavy objects easily.
● It makes you feel weak most of the time.
5. 8 symptoms of iodine deficiency:
3. Hair Loss
● Thyroid hormones are responsible for
the renewal of hair follicles.
● When there is iodine deficiency, there is
a stoppage of regeneration of hair
follicles and over time this leads to
lesser hair.
4. Flaky Dry Skin
● Having dry flaky skin is a symptom of
iodine deficiency.
● Thyroid hormones are responsible for
the regeneration of cells.
● Your skin cell stops to regenerate and
there will be a layer of dead skin cells in
your body.
● This will make your overall skin look dry
and dull.
● There is a lack of sweat which also
results in your skin getting dry and flaky.
6. 8 symptoms of iodine deficiency:
5. Feeling Cold
● Iodine deficiency is often accompanied
by a sensation of being cold.
● Lower levels of thyroid hormones mean
a lower rate of metabolism.
● Lower metabolism leads to the lesser
generation of energy/heat in your body
which can make you feel cold all the
time.
6. Irregular periods
● Irregular periods and heavy bleeding is
a symptom of iodine deficiency.
● Women having iodine deficiency suffer
from an irregular cycle.
● Low thyroid hormone disrupts the
hormones that regulate a menstruation
cycle.
7. 8 symptoms of iodine deficiency:
6. Memory Issues
● One of the symptoms of iodine
deficiency is that it hampers your
learning skills.
● Thyroid hormones which are linked to
iodine are responsible for the growth
and development of brain cells.
● It lowers the production of your thyroid
hormone which in turn affects the
development of your brain cells.
● Hippocampus which is related to the
storage of long-term memory in the
human brain, is smaller in people who
have an iodine deficiency.
7. Slow Heart Rate
● Your heart rate is affected by the level
of iodine in your body.
● If you have iodine deficiency then it may
cause your heart to beat slower than
normal leading to dizziness.
● A person with a very low iodine level can
also faint easily which is alarming.
8. The Takeaway
● Symptoms of iodine deficiency are at times deadly and so it is advisable to consult
your doctor immediately.
● Mild iodine deficiency can be dealt with by taking precautions at home whereas in
other cases proper medication is needed.
● Please get yourself checked as soon as you witness any symptoms of iodine
deficiency.