Iodine is one of the thirty most important trace elements in our body. The main role of iodine is in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, the substances responsible for most metabolic processes. Thyroid hormones are known to consist of iodine by more than 65%. Its lack leads to a decrease in hormone production and, as a result, the development of hypothyroidism. Long-term iodine deficiency can be a source of cardiovascular, bone, digestive, obesity, neurological disorders, and physical and mental retage.
According to statistics, more than 35% of Russians suffer from iodine deficiency to varying degrees, and in the northern regions this figure reaches 80%. Despite the prevalence, the disease is often detected late, as changes caused by iodine deficiency are often confused with overwork, other diseases, pregnancy. The severity of symptoms of iodine deficiency depends on many factors, but its main signs can be found already in moderate iodine deficiency. Let's talk about them below.
Chronic fatigue
Sluggishness, drowsiness, decline of forces - the first thing people pay attention to when reducing the concentration in the blood of thyroid hormones, whose tasks include providing the body with energy. The peculiarity is that these signs can occur without any preconditions and do not pass after rest. Chronic fatigue occurs in 99% of iodine deficiency cases and is often accompanied by muscle fatigue without cause. This is the first alarm bell, meaning that it is necessary to consult a doctor and take a test for the level of thyroid hormones in the blood.
Weakness of immunity
Weakness of the immune system is manifested in the form of frequent and recurrent colds, viral, parasitic, fungal diseases, slow wound healing. The use of general measures of strengthening the body (setting the regimen of the day, hardening, taking immunomodulators) at the same time, as a rule, helps badly. It is possible to get rid of immunodeficiency in this case only by eliminating its root cause by taking iodine (iodine, potassium iodide, etc.), or thyroid drugs.
Swelling
Swelling is an obvious symptom of iodine deficiency. The most frequent localization of swelling in this condition - under the eyes, can also be observed swelling of the legs, hands. And the use of diuretics to eliminate swelling will not only be useless, but also dangerous: the body washed out useful substances, including trace elements, and disturbed water-salt balance.
Menstrual disorders
Unstable menstrual cycle is a symptom of the initial stage of iodine deficiency, as the lack of iodine directly affects the operation of the hormonal system. The condition of iodine deficiency in women can be fraught with infertility and premature onset of menopause. Equally dangerous is the lack of iodine and the onset of pregnancy: the absence of a vital element can adversely affect the fetal development and lead to spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, congenital pathologies.
anemia
Due to the decrease in metabolic activity, iodine deficiency is often accompanied by iron deficiency anemia, a disease associated with iron in the blood. In this case, anemia is usually unexpressed and usually manifests itself already in the mature stage of hypothyroidism. The main symptoms of iron deficiency anemia - tinnitus, dizziness, weakness, pallor.
overweight
Uncontrolled weight gain is one of the symptoms of a serious lack of iodine in the body. Overweight in this case is caused more not by the presence of fat mass, but by swelling caused by metabolic disorders. Connective tissue becomes more susceptible to fluid, and, in addition to excess weight, iodine deficiency is manifested by thickening of the skin, puffiness of the face, limbs, swollen tongue and lips. Due to extensive swelling in the severe stage of hypothyroidism, hearing loss, difficulty with nasal breathing, oozing voice.
Hypotension
Disturbances of the cardiovascular system - a sign of developed against the background of iodine deficiency hypothyroidism, and to a large extent. Due to circulatory disorders in people with hypothyroidism may experience a complication in the form of hypotension - a reduction in blood pressure. This condition is characterized by weakness immediately after awakening, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, sweating and fatigue. It is important to remember that hypotension often accompanies other endocrine diseases, becomes the result of stress, uncontrolled medication, sedentary lifestyle, having nothing to do with iodine deficiency.
Decline in intelligence
Problems in the brain, manifested in the form of reduced attention, ability to intellectual activity, memory impairment, can also signal a lack of iodine in the body. As a result of weakening the metabolism of brain cells, a person remembers worse dates, events, faces, hardly solves difficult problems, ceases to engage in creativity. If iodine deficiency is not eliminated at this stage, the next stage is deep depression.
Poor mood and depression
Not without a trace disorders in the brain serve as a starting point for the development of psychological problems. There is a deterioration of the emotional background, there is apathy, passivity, deceitfulness, negative view of events, which in 5-12% of cases turn into severe depression. The distinctive feature of this condition in iodine deficiency is involuntaryness, lack of any desire to improve their condition, which should know the patient's relatives. It is necessary to help him, to encourage him to seek treatment.
Preventing iodine deficiency is always easier than treating it. The average daily rate of iodine for an adult is 120-150 micrograms. It can be obtained mainly from sea fish, algae, fish oil, iodized salt, meat, fruits and dairy products.
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