What are the symptoms of iodine deficiency in the body

The human body needs to supplement a large amount of trace elements every day. If a person's body lacks a certain trace element for a long time, it will cause some disease problems. Iodine is an important trace element that the human body needs to consume every day. Some salt and seafood contain large amounts of iodine. But if a person lacks iodine in his body, what symptoms will appear on the surface of the body?

1. Symptoms of iodine deficiency

Iodine deficiency in the human body can cause goiter (commonly known as big neck), endemic cretinism, subclinical cretinism, simple deaf-muteness, fetal miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth and congenital malformations.

2. The harm of iodine deficiency

1. Cause thyroid disease

If there is not enough iodine in the body, the thyroid gland cannot find enough iodine to synthesize thyroid hormones. Therefore, in order to absorb more iodine, the body will continue to grow the thyroid tissue. The most intuitive manifestation is "thyroid enlargement". Over time, it may induce thyroid nodules or even thyroid cancer.

2. Lead to brain retardation

During critical periods of brain development, the development of the nervous system depends on thyroid hormones. If the iodine intake is insufficient or iodine deficiency occurs at this time, it will lead to varying degrees of brain retardation, such as endemic cretinism, etc. The most frightening thing is that even if iodine or thyroid hormone supplements are taken in the future, it cannot be reversed.

3. Affect fetal development

If iodine deficiency occurs in a pregnant woman, thyroid hormone synthesis will be insufficient and the thyroid hormone supplied to the fetus to promote growth and development will also be reduced. Then, adverse consequences such as premature birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital malformations, and congenital deafness and dumbness are likely to occur.

3. How to supplement iodine

1. At present, the most commonly used method of iodine supplementation is to eat iodized salt, which is also the safest and most effective measure recommended by WHO and other international organizations to control iodine deficiency.

2. You can also supplement iodine through food. Kelp, seaweed, hairtail, scallops, fish, shrimp, crab and shellfish seafood contain high levels of iodine. Fruits, vegetables and plants also contain small amounts of iodine. Finally, you can also rely on iodine-containing dietary supplements to supplement iodine, but this is generally suitable for cases where iodine deficiency is very serious and needs to be determined by a doctor before taking it.