Your thyroid is needed to regulate metabolism and affects nearly every tissue in your body. The thyroid is prone to several common problems, some of which can lead to weight loss. Iodine is needed for proper thyroid function. Too much or too little iodine can also lead to weight fluctuation. If you are experiencing weight loss without trying, see your doctor for a thyroid evaluation.
Role of the Thyroid
Your thyroid is a small gland located in the front of your neck. The thyroid converts iodine consumed from various foods into hormones. Your thyroid gland takes these hormones, which are used by every cell in your body, to regulate cellular metabolism. The pituitary gland controls the amount of thyroid hormone that is excreted.
Importance of Iodine
The human body needs iodine to create the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Iodine is necessary for normal thyroid function. According to Oregon State University, the thyroid takes iodine from the bloodstream, synthesizes it into the hormones and releases the hormones into the bloodstream when they are needed. A deficiency of iodine leads to thyroid enlargement, called a goiter. A severe deficiency results in a condition called hypothyroidism.
Sources
Iodine is not found in abundance in most foods. Depending on the soil in which they are grown, some fruits and vegetables may contain iodine. Most Americans consume their daily supply of iodine from iodized salt. Some people in areas of the world where seaweed is a common part of the diet, such as northern coastal regions of Japan, may consume excessive iodine.
Considerations
Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs when too much thyroid hormone is released. For patients with hyperthyroidism, consuming excess iodine can worsen the condition. This can lead to unplanned weight loss. All symptoms may worsen, including nervousness, irritability and weakness. Your appetite will likely remain good and you may eat plenty of foods, but you may still lose a considerable amount of weight. At this point your thyroid has sped up your metabolism preventing it from properly using the calories you ingest.
Hyperthyroidism
According to the American Thyroid Association, the more severe the hyperthyroidism, the greater the weight loss will be. Hyperthyroidism also increases appetite; therefore if your calorie intake matches your appetite, you may be able to maintain your weight. Another thyroid condition, thyroiditis, can cause thyroid cell damage and produce symptoms similar to hyperthyroidism, including weight loss. Radioactive iodine is occasionally used during the diagnosis of thyroiditis.
Treatment
Treatment is available for hyperthyroidism to prevent further weight loss. Your doctor may give you a prescription for a medication to help your body regulate the amount of thyroid hormone you produce. You may also receive a treatment called radioactive iodine treatment. This treatment is effective because thyroid cells are the only cells in the body to absorb iodine. According to EndocrineWeb, a single dose of radioactive iodine is occasionally enough to cure the problem.
