According to a 2017 study, about a third of people are deficient in iodine.
Here are 11 signs that suggest a person may he an iodine deficiency.
1. Putting on weightOne of the most noticeable signs of an iodine deficiency is unexpected weight gain.
When a person has a healthy metabolism, they burn calories to give them their energy. Hypothyroidism, or a lack of thyroid hormones, slows down a person’s metabolism.
When a person’s metabolism slows down, calories are more likely to be stored as fat, leading to weight gain.
It is important to remember that weight gain is not always a sign of an iodine deficiency. It may only be a symptom when weight gain cannot otherwise be explained. A more common explanation for weight gain is eating more calories than needed or not exercising enough.
2. Feeling weakWhen a person has an iodine deficiency, they may feel weak. Picking up hey objects might feel hard when it used to be easy.
This weakness is explained by a person hing less energy than they did. Hypothyroidism slows down a person’s metabolic rate. This means they burn fewer calories for energy. Less energy means that muscles do not work as efficiently. This makes a person feel weak.
3. Feeling tiredShare on PinterestUnexplained tiredness may be a symptom of iodine deficiency.A drop in metabolic rate also makes a person feel tired. Therefore, feeling tired is another sign of an iodine deficiency.
As with weight gain, feeling tired does not always mean a person is iodine deficient. If a person is not getting enough rest, it is natural for them to feel tired.
If tiredness is unexplained, it may be a symptom of an iodine deficiency.
4. Losing hairHair loss is another possible sign that a person might he an iodine deficiency.
Thyroid hormones support the hair follicle renewal. When a person has hypothyroidism, a shortage of thyroid hormones means the follicles stop being renewed.
Hair falls out naturally but is replaced by new follicles. Over time, the fact this stops happening means a person has less hair.
5. Drying skinHing dry, flaky skin could be a sign of hypothyroidism, as it can be the result of iodine deficiency.
Thyroid hormones help cells renew. A lack of these hormones may cause dead skin cells to build up, sometimes resulting in dry, flaky skin.
6. Feeling coldIodine deficiency causes a lack of thyroid hormones. Hing fewer thyroid hormones causes a person’s metabolic rate to slow down.
As their metabolism slows down, a person produces less energy. Energy gives the body warmth. A lack of it means a person is more likely to feel the cold.
7.Hing a slow heart rateHing an iodine deficiency may make a person’s heart beat more slowly.
When a person’s heart rate slows down, they may feel dizzy or sick. It may also make them faint.
8. Learning or memory problemsThyroid hormones are important for brain development. Iodine deficiency may cause a lack of these hormones, resulting in problems with memory and learning new things.
A 2014 study found that the hippocampus was smaller in people with low levels of thyroid hormones. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that affects memory.
9. Pregnancy complicationsShare on PinterestIodine deficiency may cause issues during pregnancy for the developing fetus.It can be hard for a pregnant woman to get enough iodine. A pregnant woman needs it for herself plus the growing baby inside her.
Thyroid hormones are necessary for the healthy development of a baby before it is born. A lack of them may prevent the brain developing properly. It may also stunt growth.
If a pregnant woman’s body is especially low in iodine, her baby is more likely to be stillborn.
10. Hey or irregular periodsLow thyroid hormone levels can affect the levels of hormones that regulate a woman’s periods. The following could be signs of an iodine deficiency:
periods that are heier than usualperiods that are more or less often than usual11. Swollen neckIf a person is deficient in iodine, their neck may become swollen. This is because their thyroid gland, which is situated in their neck, has become enlarged.
When the thyroid does not he enough iodine, it will try to absorb more from the blood. This causes the thyroid to become enlarged, making the neck appear swollen.