Lettuce, like most other green leafy vegetables, is a source of iron. A condition known as hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid is not functioning properly, increases the risk of iron deficiency in the people it affects. If you are suffering from hypothyroidism you can reduce your risk of iron deficiency by adding lettuce to your diet, along with other healthy sources of iron such as lean meat and fish.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when thyroxine levels in the body diminish so much that body processes begin to slow down. The condition is usually caused by an auto-immune disorder and is not curable, although with the proper medication it is possible to lead a normal life. Fatigue, headaches, joint and muscle aches, impaired mental activity, depression, hearing loss, iron deficiency and weight gain are side effects of hypothyroidism if it is not treated.
Iron Deficiency
An iron deficiency is common in patients suffering from hypothyroidism. An iron deficiency can lead to anemia, a condition where your body does not have enough red blood cells. Iron deficiency anemia can cause fatigue, an increase heart rate, irritability, paleness and dizziness. If anemia becomes severe enough it can lead to a lack of oxygen in the organs and cause a heart attack.
Lettuce
Lettuce can help improve an iron deficiency brought on by hypothyroidism because it contains iron. One ounce of romaine lettuce contains around 2 percent of the daily value of iron with a whole 3-oz. serving providing 6 percent, while one serving of iceberg lettuce -- one-sixth of a head -- has around 0.3 mg of iron, which is 2 percent of the daily iron requirement for a man.
Daily Iron Intake
The daily requirements of iron vary for men and women but in most cases women need more. Men 19 and older need 8 mg of iron every day while women need 18 mg until they reach age 51, when the requirement drops to 8 mg. Adolescent men need 11 mg of iron a day while adolescent women need 15 mg. Infants younger than 6 months need 0.27 mg of iron a day and that number jumps to 11 mg at 6 months. Children need 10 mg of iron from ages 4 to 8, and 8 mg until they reach age 14.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Hypothyroidism -- Symptoms; May 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Blood Diseases; January 2008
- Nutrition and You; Lettuce Nutrition Facts; 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Iron; June 2009
- Produce Oasis; Romaine Lettuce; 2011
- Ocean Mist; Iceberg Lettuce Nutrition Information; 2011
