Do You Have Iodine Deficiency?

An iodine deficiency can cause uncomfortable and even severe symptoms. They include swelling in the neck, pregnancy-related issues, weight gain and learning difficulties.

Here are 9 signs and symptoms of an iodine deficiency.

1. Swelling in the Neck: Swelling in the front of the neck is the most common symptom of an iodine deficiency. This is called a goiter and occurs when the thyroid gland grows too big. When blood levels of TSH rise, the thyroid gland uses iodine to make thyroid hormones. However, when your body is low in iodine, it can't make enough of them.

To compensate, the thyroid gland works harder to try to make more. This causes the cells to grow and multiply, eventually leading to a goiter.

2. Unexpected Weight Gain: Low iodine levels may slow your metabolism and encourage food to be stored as fat, rather than be burned as energy. This may lead to weight gain.

3. Fatigue and Weakness: Fatigue and weakness are also common symptoms of an iodine deficiency. Low iodine levels may leave you feeling tired, sluggish and weak. This is because your body needs the mineral to make energy.

4. Hair loss: An iodine deficiency may prevent hair follicles from regenerating. Fortunately, getting sufficient iodine can help correct hair loss that occurs due to an iodine deficiency.

5. Dry, Flaky Skin: Dry, flaky skin may occur with an iodine deficiency, as the mineral helps your skin cells regenerate. It also helps your body sweat and hydrates your skin cells, so an iodine deficiency can cause you to sweat less.

6. Feeling Colder Than Usual

Feeling cold is a common symptom of an iodine deficiency. Iodine helps generate body heat, so low levels of it may leave you feeling colder than usual.

7. Changes in Heart Rate

Your heart rate is a measure of how many times your heart beats per minute. It may be affected by your iodine levels. Too little of this mineral could cause your heart to beat slower than usual, while too much of it could cause your heart to beat faster than usual.

8. Problems During Pregnancy 

Pregnant women are at a high risk of iodine deficiency. This is because they need to consume enough to meet their own daily needs, as well as the needs of their growing baby. The increased demand for iodine continues throughout lactation, as babies receive iodine through breast milk.

9. Trouble Learning and Remembering: An iodine deficiency may affect your ability to learn and remember. An iodine deficiency at any age may cause you to struggle to learn and remember things. One possible reason for this might be an underdeveloped brain.

The best way to get enough iodine is to add iodized salt to your meals. Half a teaspoon (3 grams) over the course of the day is enough to avoid a deficiency.

If you think you have an iodine deficiency, it's best to consult your doctor. They will check for signs of swelling (a goiter) or take a urine sample to check your iodine levels.