Your thyroid gland controls your body's metabolism through the production and release of thyroid hormone. Iodine is a natural element required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones and can only be acquired from your diet. Low iodine intake can lead to hypothyroidism, or low thyroid hormone levels, but is rarely the cause in developed countries.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism can occur for a variety of reasons, all of which result in low levels of circulating thyroid hormone in your bloodstream. The most common causes of hypothyroidism include autoimmune disease, or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, medical treatments that damage or suppress the thyroid gland and various medications, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Symptoms reflect a lowering of your metabolic rate such as increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, weight gain, brittle hair and fingernails, depression and in some cases, enlargement of the thyroid gland, or goiter. Hypothyroidism is diagnosed by measuring your blood levels of thyroid hormone and the level of thyroid stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland.
Iodine
Your thyroid gland requires iodine to synthesize hormone, with chronic iodine deficiency leading to goiter formation and hypothyroidism. The United States has routinely supplemented salt with iodine since the 1920's, greatly decreasing the incidence of iodine deficiency, but roughly 40 percent of the world's population is still at risk, according to the American Thyroid Association. Iodine is found naturally in seawater and soil, but levels vary markedly around the world and, therefore, in the foods from different regions. In addition to iodized salt, good sources of iodine in most areas include dairy products, eggs, meats, yogurt, seafood and some breads. Many multivitamin supplements also include iodine, which should be listed on the label. Iodine levels are not commonly tested for medical diagnosis, but are performed as part of broader population studies to assess the adequacy of iodine in the diet of different regions.
Iodine Supplementation to Prevent Hypothyroidism
Iodine deficiency results not only in hypothyroidism and goiter formation, but also in pregnant women, severe deficiency can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths or congenital defects. Severe deficiency with hypothyroidism in newborns can cause growth delay, mental retardation and permanent brain damage, although these are now rare in the United States. Recognition of these complications has led to higher recommended daily allowances for iodine in pregnant and nursing women, and the World Health Organization has made eliminating iodine deficiency a major goal around the world. Iodine supplements are being added to salt, food oils and drinking water around the world as part of this effort.
Treating Hypothyroidism
The standard treatment of hypothyroidism requires daily replacement with synthetic thyroid hormone, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other nutritional supplements might be suggested, but are not a substitute for hormone replacement therapy. Most importantly, iodine supplements for hypothyroidism should not be taken except when prescribed by your health care practitioner. Unless your hypothyroidism is specifically caused by iodine deficiency, iodine supplements can worsen hypothyroidism or even lead to over activity of your thyroid gland.
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