History of iodine
The discovery of iodine dates back to 1811; the element was discovered by the Frenchman Bernard Courtois, who at one time was a specialist in soap and saltpetre making. Once, during experiments with seaweed ash, a chemist noticed that the copper boiler for evaporating the ash was subject to rapid destruction. When ash vapors were mixed with sulfuric acid, rich violet vapors were formed, which, when settled, turned into shiny crystals of a dark “gasoline” color.
Two years later, Joseph Gay-Lussac and Humphry Davy began studying the resulting substance and named it iodine (from the Greek iodes, ioides - violet, violet).
Iodine is a halogen, belongs to the chemically active non-metals, element of the 17th group of the V period of the periodic table chemical elements DI. Mendeleev, has atomic number 53, the accepted designation I (Iodum).
Being in nature
Iodine is enough rare element, but, oddly enough, it is present in nature almost everywhere, in any living organism, in sea water, soil, products of plant and animal origin. Traditionally, seaweed provides the largest amount of natural iodine.
Physical and chemical properties
Iodine is a solid substance in the form of crystals of dark purple or black-gray color, has a metallic luster and a specific odor. Iodine vapor is violet, formed when the microelement is heated, and when it is cooled, it turns into crystals without becoming liquid. To obtain liquid iodine, it must be heated under pressure.
Daily iodine requirement
For normal functioning of the thyroid gland, an adult needs 150-200 mcg of iodine; adolescents, pregnant women and nursing mothers need to increase the amount of iodine entering the body daily to 400 mcg per day.
Main sources of iodine:
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It must be remembered that during cooking, up to half the amount of iodine is lost, as well as during long-term storage.
Beneficial properties of iodine and its effect on the body
Iodine is an active participant in oxidative processes that directly affect the stimulation brain activity. Most of the iodine in the human body is concentrated in the thyroid gland and plasma. Iodine helps neutralize unstable microbes, thereby reducing irritability and stress (calorizator). Iodine also has the property of increasing the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels.
Iodine will make it easier to follow a diet by burning excess fat, promotes proper growth, gives more energy, improves mental activity, makes hair, nails, skin and teeth healthy.
Signs of iodine deficiency
Iodine deficiency is usually observed in regions where there is not enough natural microelements. Signs of iodine deficiency are called increased fatigue and general weakness, frequent headaches, weight gain, noticeable weakening of memory, as well as vision and hearing, conjunctivitis, dry mucous membranes and skin. Lack of iodine leads to disorders menstrual cycle in women and a decrease in sexual desire and activity in men.
Signs of excess iodine
Excess iodine is no less harmful than its deficiency. Iodine is a toxic trace element; when working with it, you need to be extremely careful to avoid poisoning, which is characterized severe pain in the stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. When there is an excess of iodine in water, the following symptoms are observed: allergic rash and rhinitis, increased sweating with a pungent odor, insomnia, increased salivation and swelling of the mucous membranes, trembling, rapid heartbeat. The most common disease associated with an increased amount of iodine in the body is Graves' disease.
The use of iodine in life
Iodine is mainly used in medicine, in the form of an alcohol solution, to disinfect the skin, speed up the healing of wounds and injuries, and also as an anti-inflammatory agent (an iodine cell is drawn on the site of bruises or during a cough to warm up). Gargle with a diluted solution of iodine for colds.
Iodine has found application in forensics (it is used to identify fingerprints), as a component for light sources, and in the production of batteries.
A deficiency of the substance provokes severe endocrine disruptions in the body. How to determine iodine deficiency in the body with your own hands? Look for the answer in our detailed review popular self-diagnosis methods, photos and videos in this article.
In addition to participating in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, iodine performs the following functions in the body:
- “starts” metabolism, helps speed up metabolism;
- has antiseptic properties, destroys microbes that enter the thyroid gland through the bloodstream;
- makes a person more energetic and cheerful, helps fight stress and apathy;
- improves the plasticity of cerebral vessels and cerebral circulation, stimulates the development of mental abilities.
Iodine deficiency and cancer
Iodine is vital for the health of the mammary glands in older women; low intake of the microelement increases the risk of breast cancer.
Women need to monitor the iodine content in the body with the same care as the health of the mammary glands. Among those present chemicals and enzymes in breast tissue, iodine has a powerful antioxidant effect comparable to vitamin C.
Tissues experiencing iodine deficiency exhibit:
- increased lipid oxidation, which is the earliest factor in the development of cancer;
- DNA change;
- increase in estrogen receptor proteins.
These biological factors together explain the link between iodine deficiency and thyroid disease. Postmenopausal women are often diagnosed with thyroid and breast cancer.
When the supply of iodine to breast cancer cells increases, they intensively absorb it, which, in turn, suppresses tumor growth and causes the death of cancer cells.
The role of iodine in heart health
A test for iodine deficiency is necessary even in the absence of obvious symptoms; hypothyroidism contributes to heart disease, is a cause of stroke and premature death from these pathologies.
Thyroid dysfunction leads to abnormalities in lipid profiles, promotes the formation of low-density lipoproteins, increases cholesterol and increases the risk of atherosclerosis.
Hypothyroidism weakens the heart muscle and promotes arrhythmia, which becomes noticeable even with moderate physical activity. Hormones should be prescribed cautiously when a physician determines that iodine deficiency is a problem. Treatment promotes the safe and effective modulation of health problems.
How much iodine does the body need?
The average daily dose of a microelement entering the body should be at least 120–150 mcg, and for women preparing to become mothers this amount increases to 200 mcg. Iodine deficiency occurs if over a long period the amount of daily intake of the microelement does not exceed 10 mcg.
Iodine content standards
In the body of an adult, the normal amount of iodine ranges from 15–25 mg; according to some research data, it can be up to 50 mg. Exactly half of the element falls on the thyroid gland, which uses it for hormonal activity.
If we examine in detail and accurately the iodine content in human organs, we will see the following:
- The highest concentration in the thyroid gland is 1000–12000 mcg/g;
- Liver tissue contains – 0.2 µg/g;
- The amount in female ovaries and kidneys is 0.07 mcg/g;
- IN lymph nodes 0.03 µg/g;
- In the brain, muscle tissue and male testicles – 0.02 mcg/g.
There is evidence of the accumulation of iodine in the glands (mammary during feeding, salivary) and in the mucous epithelium of the stomach.
Iodine intake into the body
When microelements enter the body, they are absorbed mainly in the upper gastrointestinal tract, and those that enter the intestines are quickly absorbed into the blood. If there is an excess, iodine is excreted in the urine, so the activity of the excretory system and the kidneys in particular is also important in the regulation of iodine.
Since the level of excretion is directly dependent on its consumption, when studying the content, a blood test for iodine and urine is taken to determine the level of consumption of the microelement by the body.
Please note that excessive consumption of natural products containing iodine has no side effects, even if the amount of natural iodine contained in them exceeds the daily norm.
The level of hormonal regulation of the thyroid gland is regulated not only by the activity of the gland itself, but also by the brain, in particular by the pituitary gland and peripheral parts.
Risk factors
Potential causes that increase the likelihood of iodine deficiency:
- lack of selenium;
- pregnancy;
- exposure to radiation;
- increased dietary calcium intake;
- female gender;
- smoking;
- alcohol;
- oral contraceptive methods;
- old age.
Causes of iodine deficiency
Iodine can enter the body in several ways: with food, liquid, and even inhaled air (in the form of vapor), so the main reason for the deficiency of this trace element is its lack in the environment.
Pay attention! Today, there is a clearly visible connection between distance from the sea and the level of iodine in the soil and fresh water sources. The central part of Russia and the Central Asian republics experience a significant deficiency of this microelement. The foothills and high mountain areas are least saturated with it. Residents of these regions need a varied, balanced diet and additional sources Yoda.
Also, among the main causes of iodine deficiency, experts name poor diet and disease gastrointestinal tract accompanied by impaired absorption of nutrients.
Signs of iodine deficiency
According to statistics, about 30% of the world's population suffers from iodine deficiency to varying degrees expressiveness. Among Russians, symptoms of this disease occur in 70% of residents of megacities.
Endemic goiter
Endemic goiter is the most common thyroid disease in Russia. As a rule, iodine deficiency correlates with a deficiency of other microelements, mainly microparticles of copper, selenium and cobalt.
The thyroid gland expands in order to capture more trace elements from the circulating blood, i.e. low iodine content is the root cause of an increase in the anatomical size of the thyroid gland. The disease is called "endemic" because it is common in people living in the same area with low iodine content in the surrounding ecosystem.
Goiter is also called Graves' disease, the main symptoms of which are:
- pathological growth of the thyroid gland;
- lethargy;
- rapid weight gain with an increase in subcutaneous fat.
What slows down or speeds up the absorption of iodine
There are microelements that take part in the absorption of iodine, acting as enzymes in the biochemical hydrolysis reaction, and vice versa, those that interfere with these processes. Such microelements are given in the table.
For example, lithium acts antagonistically on the activity of the gland, as does calcium in large quantities. Without selenium, iodine absorption is simply impossible.
Thus, all microelements are interconnected, and the presence or absence of one of them affects the activity of the thyroid gland.
Many people wonder if iodine has an expiration date. Since pure iodine is an element of group 7 in the periodic table and belongs to the halogens, it has several oxidation states and easily reacts. Therefore, for example, iodine in iodized salt will evaporate for 3-4 months, but in seaweed it will be in a bound state and will be useful as long as the algae itself is alive.
Thus, consumption of kelp will be extremely useful in treating with iodine a thyroid nodule, goiter and other diseases associated with iodine deficiency. Salad from seaweed You can buy it at the supermarket or make it yourself. It is not only tasty, but also very healthy.
A lack of iodine in the body always has several clinical signs, each of which we will consider in more detail below.
Symptoms of iodine deficiency in adults
We often do not pay attention to the signals that our body sends us, we brush them off, attributing them to fatigue, workload and eternal lack of sleep.
However, iodine deficiency can have many manifestations:
- chronic fatigue, decreased activity;
- fatigue, decreased performance;
- memory impairment, slow reaction;
- depression, tearfulness, decreased resistance to stress;
- weight gain with a unchanged diet;
- chilliness, poor cold tolerance;
- menstrual dysfunction, changes in sex hormone tests are common signs of iodine deficiency in women;
- decreased sexual activity, problems with potency in men.
Drowsiness and chronic fatigue - Signs of iodine deficiency that we often ignore
Subsequently, uncompensated iodine deficiency in the body leads to a decrease in the formation and release of thyroid hormones into the blood, disruption of the thyroid gland and the development of endemic goiter - an increase in the size of the endocrine organ.
Iodine deficiency in childhood: a serious problem of modern health care
Iodine deficiency in children is especially dangerous, since children, like no one else, need a microelement that ensures growth and normal physical and mental development. The main clinical forms of iodine deficiency in the body are presented in the table below.
Table 2: Variants of the clinical course of iodine deficiency in children:
| Disease | Congenital hypothyroidism | Cretinism | Endemic goiter |
| Features of the flow | May be associated with iodine deficiency and insufficient production of thyroid hormones in the mother. It is more severe than acquired hypothyroidism. |
A severe irreversible condition that develops if congenital hypothyroidism has not been diagnosed and treatment is not prescribed. | A disease that develops against the background of iodine deficiency, which is caused by an unbalanced diet and an unfavorable iodine situation in the region. It is more common in children of primary school age and adolescents. |
| Symptoms |
|
|
|
Important! Any signs of iodine deficiency in a child’s body are a reason to immediately consult a doctor. The sooner treatment is started, the higher the likelihood of the baby’s complete recovery without serious and irreversible consequences for the body.
Iodine deficiency in pregnant women
Iodine deficiency in pregnant women is also extremely dangerous.
It may cause:
- spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) in the early stages;
- premature birth;
- intrauterine anomalies and congenital malformations of the fetus;
- premature placental abruption;
- difficult labor caused by heavy fetal weight;
- massive postpartum hemorrhage.
In addition, iodine deficiency in the body of a pregnant woman causes congenital hypothyroidism in the child, the proper formation of the thyroid gland and functioning internal organs which is carried out under the influence of maternal hormones.
Pay attention! One of the common causes of infertility in medical practice is iodine deficiency: symptoms in women include menstrual dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, problems with conception, and the desired pregnancy does not occur. When replenishing the deficiency of this microelement, normalization of the reproductive system is observed.
How to identify iodine deficiency
In addition to a laboratory test for iodine in the blood (its average price in private laboratories is 700 rubles), you can reliably determine the lack of this microelement simple methods self-diagnosis.
So, how to recognize iodine deficiency in the body:
- If you notice one or more of the signs of the disease listed above, be sure to consult a doctor. Listen carefully to the signals your own body gives you.
- The iodine grid test is one of the most popular home methods for determining iodine deficiency. In the evening, apply a small iodine grid to any part of the body (except for the thyroid gland and heart). Inspect it carefully in the morning.
If the mesh has completely disappeared, most likely the body is experiencing a serious iodine deficiency. If there are small marks left on the skin, everything is fine.
- The three line test is considered more accurate. Instructions: in the evening, apply three lines to the skin of the forearm alcohol solution iodine: thin, medium and thick.
- The next morning, evaluate the result: if after 8-10 hours a thin strip has disappeared from the skin, and visible traces remain in place of a medium and thick strip, it means that the level of iodine in the body is within normal limits. The disappearance of a thin and medium strip indicates a possible iodine deficiency, and if the skin of the forearm in the morning has no traces at all, immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases.
Pay attention! Official medicine does not confirm the reliability of such methods for studying iodine deficiency. There is no official data that the rapid absorption and disappearance of the alcohol tincture of the substance from the skin are signs of iodine deficiency in the body. In addition, applying iodine mesh can cause a chemical burn or cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, when answering the question of how to determine iodine deficiency in the body, doctors are often categorical - only with the help of a laboratory study of the concentration of this microelement in the blood.
Tests to determine iodine concentration - what official medicine can offer
It is important to note that official medicine is skeptical about the methods for determining iodine deficiency described above. Doctors say that the dependence of iodine absorption into the skin from a lack of this microelement has not been scientifically proven and may be a consequence of human characteristics.
How to check for iodine deficiency in the body “scientifically”? First of all, clinical data allows a specialist to suspect a decrease in the concentration of a microelement.
Pay attention! Iodine deficiency has a particularly serious impact on the health of children who have retarded physical and mental development, as well as severe metabolic disorders.
How to check the amount of iodine in the body using laboratory tests? The table below shows popular methods microelement definitions.
Table: Tests to determine the level of iodine in the body:
| Name | Description | Norm | Average price |
| I (urine) | The analysis allows you to determine the iodine content that was excreted in the urine. Since this indicator can fluctuate sharply during the day, several tests are usually required, followed by a study of the median iodine excretion | 100-500 µg/l | 1000 rub. |
| I (hair) | Determination of iodine concentration in pre-treated and dissolved cut hair. This method is called atomic emission spectrometry - AES-ISAP | 0.3-10 µg/g dry material (hair) | 300 rub. |
| I (nails) | The obtained samples are also studied on an atomic emission spectrometer using the AES-ISAP method | 0.3-10 µg/g | 300 rub. |
Pay attention! Since iodine does not move through the vascular bed in free form, but as part of various biological compounds, medical instructions do not imply its determination in blood serum. Instead, your doctor may order additional thyroid hormone tests.
Treatment and prevention of iodine deficiency
The basic principles of restoring iodine levels in the body are:
- diet with increased content these products;
- treatment with iodine preparations (Iodomarin, Iodine-active, etc.) in a therapeutic dose of 100-200 mcg per day;
- in case of clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism, hormonal preparations of levothyroxine are additionally prescribed at a dosage of 50-75 mcg with further dynamic observation and dosage adjustment.
In addition to seafood products, there are others that will help cope with the situation:
Prevention of iodine deficiency in children and adults consists of a balanced diet, inclusion of fish, seafood and other sources of iodine in the diet, regular preventive examinations with a doctor and healthy life.
Excess iodine in the thyroid gland
When there is an excess of iodine, hyperthyroidism develops. In this case, there is no strong enlargement of the thyroid gland, but there is a possibility of developing goiter, Graves' disease, and cardiac dysfunction.
In addition, there is general weakness, sweating, weight loss, and stool disorders. As a result accelerated exchange substances, an increase to subfebrile temperature is observed, skin pigmentation changes, sensitive areas become numb, acne appears, and the accelerated appearance of gray hair due to the loss of melanin.
This shows how closely the thyroid gland and iodine are related to each other. In case of microelement deficiency and for prevention purposes, it is advised to eat natural products containing iodine or use medications.
At home today it is not particularly difficult. The easiest way is to replace regular salt with iodized or sea salt containing iodine, or use seafood for cooking.
Well proven traditional methods treatment of the thyroid gland with iodine. Homeopaths use animal and plant components to replenish iodine deficiency, for example, plants such as walnut, celandine, etc.
The human body contains from 20 to 50 mg of iodine (iodine), of which at least 60% is concentrated in the thyroid gland, 40% in the muscles, ovaries, and blood.
The role of iodine in the human body
Thyroid gland: Iodine is a component of the thyroid hormones (thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone) and is necessary for their synthesis. They determine the level of metabolism, influence the conversion of food into energy and the ways of its use. Thyroid hormones are important for the growth and development of all organs.
Iodine in the human body takes part in the regulation of:
- energy metabolism, body temperature;
- speed of biochemical reactions;
- metabolism of proteins, fats, water-electrolyte metabolism;
- metabolism of a number of vitamins;
- processes of growth and development of the body, including neuropsychic development.
In addition, iodine increases tissue oxygen consumption.
Benefits of iodine: provides more energy, promotes growth, facilitates dieting by burning excess fat, activates mental work, guarantees healthy teeth, skin, nails, and hair.
Iodine in food:
- seafood - red and brown algae (kelp), halibut, cod, herring, shrimp, haddock, sea salt, shellfish, sardines;
- iodized salt;
- beef liver, eggs, milk;
- onion, sorrel, white cabbage, carrots (if grown in soil rich in iodine).
Some iodine comes from water.
Average daily iodine norm- 120 - 150 mcg, maximum permissible amount of consumption - 300 mcg. During pregnancy and lactation, the norm increases to 175 - 200 mcg.
Deficiency in the body
Nutrient deficiency occurs if the amount of micronutrient intake per day is less than 10 mcg.
The vast majority of iodine is found in the ocean. Large quantity washed away from the soil surface by snow, freezing, rain, wind, floods and rivers. All grain crops grown on such soils have an iodine deficiency - 10 mcg/kg instead of 1 mg/kg.
WHO researchers estimate that 1 billion people in developing countries are at high risk of developing diseases caused by micronutrient deficiency.
Possible reasons for the deficiency:
- Unsatisfactory amount of microelement intake from food.
- Low human consumption of seafood.
- Lack of iodine prophylaxis in iodine-deficient regions.
- The presence of factors that interfere with the absorption and utilization of iodine (intake of excess amounts of bromine, lead, chlorine, etc.).
- Reception medicines, which make it difficult to absorb and utilize iodine (lithium carbonate).
- Iodine metabolism disorders.
- Increased background radiation.
- Habitat pollution.
- Increasing the body's sensitivity to allergens.
Deficiency symptoms:
1.Increasing the production of thyroid hormones.
2. Formation of goiter.
3. The occurrence of iodine deficiency pathologies:
- hypothyroidism (extreme manifestations in children - cretinism, in adults - myxedema);
- loss of strength, decreased performance, drowsiness, development of edema of the limbs, torso, face;
- increased level;
- weight gain;
- bradycardia (a type of arrhythmia with a low heart rate);
- constipation;
- decreased intellectual level: slowed mental reaction, impaired cognitive functions, attention.
- cretinism: the embryo develops physical, neurological, mental defects of cretinism due to iodine deficiency in the first 6 months of the mother’s pregnancy, which can be prevented with the help of timely iodization of the mother.
- deaf-mute;
- various types paralysis;
- decreased fertility (the ability of a sexually mature organism to reproduce), stillbirth, congenital malformations;
- increased mortality during the perinatal period.
Detailed information about risk factors, deficiency symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the condition can be found in this article.
Excess iodine in the body
A toxic dose per day for humans is considered to be 2-5 mg, lethal - 35-350 mg.
Reasons excess iodine in the body:
- Excessive iodine intake.
- Iodine metabolism disorders.
The main symptoms of excess iodine in the body:
1. Formation of goiter.
2. The occurrence of thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism: .jpg)
- headaches, excessive fatigue, loss of strength;
- depressive states;
- tachycardia (increased heart rate);
- rashes, acne, skin numbness;
- iododerma (skin damage as a result of long-term use of large doses of iodine preparations);
- iodism (aseptic inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, salivary glands, paranasal sinuses, resulting from an overdose or individual intolerance to iodine preparations).
Iodine supplements should only be taken as recommended by a physician.
For normal intellectual and physical development, the human body requires a huge amount of microelements every day. One of these important substances is (I) - iodine.
The average adult body contains 25-50 mg of iodine, most (~ 60%) is concentrated in the thyroid gland, the rest is distributed throughout the blood, muscles, ovaries and other organs and tissues. Despite the rather low content of the element in the body, it performs many essential functions, and iodine deficiency, like its excess, can lead to various pathological changes in the functioning of many organs and systems. Let's talk about this today, what is the role of iodine for humans, and what consequences can there be if this element is imbalanced in the body.
The importance of iodine in the human body
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of iodine for the body, since this element is one of the few that is directly involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, in particular thyroxine and triiodothyronine. They, in turn, are responsible for many functions and processes in the body, such as:
- stimulation of development and growth of the body;
- regulation of tissue and organ growth;
- regulation of energy metabolism, increase in body temperature;
- participation in many biochemical reactions in the body;
- participation in metabolic processes (protein, fat, water-electrolyte, etc.);
- improves oxygen consumption of tissues.
Thus, we can generalize that a sufficient amount of iodine in the body promotes normal growth, activates mental development, provides energy, and also guarantees the health and beauty of nails, teeth and hair.
Currently recognized by the world health authority global problem the occurrence of many diseases due to lack of iodine in the body.
A person can obtain a sufficient amount of the element only “from the outside,” that is, from food, water or inhaling iodized air. But, unfortunately, not everyone knows what the norm is daily consumption element, how adversely affects health, both a lack of iodine and its excess.
The norm of iodine in the body
The average daily iodine intake for an adult should be approximately 120-150 mcg, the maximum permissible daily intake is no more than 300-400 mcg per day. Daily norm iodine for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding increases to 200-250 mcg per day.
A person’s daily requirement also depends on the place of permanent residence, diet, taking certain medications that worsen the functioning of the thyroid gland, as well as on the general state of health.
Reasons for the shortage
The main reason for iodine deficiency in the body is the inability to produce and synthesize it within the body, so if the element is not supplied in sufficient quantities with food and water, the body is doomed to “iodine starvation.”
Unfortunately, pollution environment, increased background radiation, the use of fertilizers when growing plants also affects the amount of the element in the air and soil. Therefore, iodine deficiency is observed in more than 20% of the population of our planet, especially among those who live far from the sea.
A lack of iodine in the body will certainly make itself felt if the element is not supplied in sufficient quantities for a long time.
You can cope with this problem only if you review your diet and add foods with maximum iodine content, or start taking special additives and vitamins.
How to determine the lack of iodine in the body?
Iodine deficiency in the body for a long time, of course, will primarily affect the functioning of the thyroid gland and the endocrine system as a whole. Such changes can manifest themselves in the form of deterioration in well-being.
The following symptoms of iodine deficiency in the body can be identified:
- fatigue, lethargy and apathy;
- headaches and muscle pain;
- dry skin, brittle nails, deterioration of hair condition;
- decreased normal response;
- memory disorder;
- swelling;
- chilliness, frequent colds.
Symptoms of iodine deficiency in the body of women and men are usually similar, but representatives of the stronger population often neglect the signs of iodine deficiency, citing physical fatigue and decreased vitality.
Symptoms of iodine deficiency in a woman’s body can be associated with menstrual irregularities, and with severe variants of iodine deficiency, many female diseases and even infertility can develop.
Of course, all of the listed signs of iodine deficiency in the body cannot be considered a complete list of possible manifestations; everything depends on the individual characteristics of the person and the severity of the existing condition.
If you suspect a lack of an element in the body, and if there are possible symptoms, it is possible to conduct a test for iodine deficiency at home. To do this, you need to moisten a cotton swab with a 5% iodine solution and apply three lines of the same length but different thicknesses on your wrist:
- 1-thin, barely noticeable
- 2- more distinct medium thickness
- 3- thick, rich.
It is best to carry out the experiment before going to bed, so that enough time has passed and you can evaluate the result in the morning.
So, if after waking up you saw that the first thinnest strip had disappeared, and the second two had turned pale but remained in place, then you have nothing to worry about, there is enough iodine in your body. If out of the three only the thickest strip remains, then you are recommended to take measures to prevent iodine deficiency, for example, eat more foods with a high content of the element in their composition. If the last line has disappeared without a trace, this may signal disturbances in the endocrine system and a severe lack of iodine in the body.
Of course, this method of determining iodine deficiency in the body is not 100% truthful and has its own errors, but if the result home test If this is not very comforting, then the best decision would be to visit an endocrinologist and share your suspicions. Your doctor will order a blood test for thyroid hormones and a urine test to monitor your urinary excretion levels.
Excess iodine in the body
Despite the fact that such a condition as an excess of iodine in the body is less common than a deficiency of this element, such cases still occur in medical practice. Violation of the iodine balance in the body adversely affects the activity of the thyroid gland and the synthesis of thyroid hormones. In addition, excess iodine in the body can provoke disruption of the functioning of some organs and the central unequal system, lead to metabolic disorders and other negative consequences.
In most cases, iodine enters the body in significant quantities through direct contact with the element, for example, when working in production where iodine is created or used. In such industries, as a rule, sanitary standards for the concentration of iodized vapors in the air are established and monitored; this figure should be no more than 1 mg/m3. Otherwise, excessive consumption may lead to poisoning.
An excess of the element can also occur due to excessive consumption of iodized foods, as well as iodine-containing medications and vitamin complexes.
Excess iodine in the body symptoms are often associated with changes in appearance, psycho-emotional state and well-being in general.
The following symptoms of excess iodine in the body in women can be identified:
- Poor, thin and weakened hair;
- Increased feeling of heat and thirst;
- Increased appetite, but at the same time severe weight loss;
- Swelling of the thyroid (parotid) glands;
- Diarrhea, occasional nausea and vomiting (vomit often has a yellowish tint);
- Weakness, decreased performance;
- Increased heart rate, heart failure.
Since excessive accumulation of iodine certainly leads to hyperthyroidism and thyroid dysfunction, excess iodine in the body, symptoms in women are often associated with menstrual irregularities. An excess of the element is also dangerous during pregnancy; it can lead to the occurrence of certain pathologies and even termination of pregnancy.
Now you know the symptoms of iodine deficiency and its excess, so at the slightest suspicion, you should consult an endocrinologist and take appropriate tests to confirm or refute your fears.
I wish you health and good health!
Let us consider in more detail how, where and in what quantities iodine accumulates in our body, how it is redistributed and what the accumulation of this element depends on.
In total, the human body contains from 20 to 35 mg of iodine. Its distribution in the body is very uneven: the least iodine is concentrated in the blood and kidneys, the most in the thyroid gland.
If we talk about the absolute values of iodine content in the human body, it should be noted that approximately half of all iodine is in the thyroid gland (about 10-15 mg). It is rightly called the iodine storage organ. Significant amounts of the element were also found in the liver, kidneys, skin, hair, nails, ovaries, prostate gland, pituitary gland, bile and salivary glands. In muscles, the concentration of iodine can be 1000 times lower than in the thyroid gland.
Iodine enters our body mainly through the digestive tract. Inorganic iodine compounds (iodides salts) are found in the food and water we consume. They are absorbed almost along the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract, but most intensively in the small intestine. Iodine also enters through the lungs, which is especially important in coastal marine areas. For example, in the English Channel zone a person receives up to 70 mcg of iodine through the lungs, and in the Black and Azov seas- more than 100 mcg. 4000 liters of air passing through a person’s lungs in 12 hours contains 0.044 mg of iodine, a fifth of which is exhaled back. Small amounts of iodine are absorbed through the skin.
Iodine in the human body is mainly in organic form. A-cells of the thyroid gland selectively capture iodides from the blood flowing through the gland and form organic iodine compounds - the hormones T4, T3 and colloidal protein thyroglobulin, which is a reserve form of thyroid hormones and usually contains about 90% of the total amount of iodine present in the thyroid gland .
The amount and ratio of various forms of iodine in the thyroid gland depend on many factors - on the rate of iodine intake, the presence of a certain class of substances that cause the development of goiter (goitrogens), which can disrupt the iodine capture mechanism, on certain pathological conditions, as well as on genetic factors.
As for iodine, which is contained in the blood, it should be said that its content is almost constant. The blood plasma contains 35% of the total amount of iodine in the blood, the remaining 65% comes from the formed elements of the blood. If you introduce a significant amount of inorganic iodine salts into the body with food, its level in the blood will increase 1000 times, but after 24 hours it will return to normal. Iodine is present in the blood in organic and inorganic forms. During the day, 100-300 mcg of hormonal iodide enters the blood from the thyroid gland. The organic form is represented mainly by thyroxine. About 10% of plasma organic iodine is represented by triiodothyronines and diiodotyrosines.
The iodine content in the blood during normal intake into the body is about 10-15 μg/l, while the total extracellular iodine reserve is about 250 μg. Most of This reserve consists of iodine absorbed in the intestines. In addition, this same reserve includes a small amount of iodine, which is secreted by thyrocytes, as well as iodine formed during the exchange of thyroid hormones in peripheral tissues.
In the human body, iodine is also found in inorganic form: iodide ions very easily penetrate cell membranes, and therefore the total inorganic supply of iodine in the body includes both iodides present in the extracellular space and erythrocytes (red blood cells), and in accumulating iodine glands, namely in the thyroid (primarily), salivary and glands of the gastric mucosa. Iodine is also partially deposited in adipose tissue.
The main excretion of iodine from the body occurs through the kidneys with urine (up to 90%). A small amount of it is excreted in feces and very small amounts can be excreted in sweat, in women's milk (when breastfeeding), in saliva, in bile and through the respiratory tract.
Iodides continuously leave the body, and their replenishment also occurs continuously both from external sources (food, water, inhaled air) and internal (thyroid and salivary glands, gastric juice and absorption of breakdown products of thyroid hormones). These constantly occurring processes in the body maintain normal iodine levels.
The exchange of iodine in the thyroid gland and its relationship with thyroid hormones are one of the important points body work. The human thyroid gland must absorb about 60 mcg of iodine per day to ensure an adequate supply of thyroid hormones to the body. The efficiency of the gland is ensured by a dense network of blood vessels and the perfection of the iodine capture mechanism, the so-called iodine pump, which is an active transport mechanism.
The human body contains from 20 to 35 mg of iodine. It is mainly concentrated in the thyroid gland. The least amount of it is in the blood, muscles and kidneys. Iodine enters the body mainly through the digestive tract, as well as through the lungs with inhaled air, and very little through the skin. Iodine is excreted from the body mainly through urine, less - through feces, a very small percentage of it is in exhaled air, breast milk in women during breastfeeding and sweat.
