Iodine Deficiency - Symptoms

What are the symptoms of iodine deficiency?

Initially, iodine deficiency may not have any symptoms. As the thyroid reacts to lower iodine levels, it tries to produce more thyroid hormones. This ultimately leads to enlargement of the thyroid.

As levels of thyroid hormones drop, the metabolism begins to slow. This can lead to weight gain, constipation, fatigue, and other symptoms. Prolonged, severe hypothyroidism resulting from an iodine deficiency is rare in the United States, but can be associated with thickening of the skin, protrusion of the eyes, severe depression, declining mental function, heart failure, and coma.

Common symptoms of iodine deficiency

Common symptoms that can occur with prolonged iodine deficiency include:

Constipation
Depressed mood
Dry skin
Fatigue
Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid, creating a mass in the neck)
Increased sensitivity to cold
Menstrual cycle abnormalities
Protrusion of the eyes
Thickening of the skin
Thinning and brittleness of the hair and nails
Unintended weight gain
Weakness

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, iodine deficiency can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

Being a danger to oneself or others, including threatening, irrational or suicidal behavior
Bleeding while pregnant
Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness
Change in mental status or behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations or delusions
Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, palpitations
Respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, wheezing, not breathing, or choking

INTRODUCTION

What is iodine deficiency?

Iodine is an element your thyroid needs to make thyroid hormones. If your diet is deficient in iodine, your thyroid gland will enlarge as it tries to increase the production of thyroid hormones. The enlarged thyroid can cause a mass in the neck known as a goiter. As thyroid levels fall, hypothyroidism develops.... Read more about iodine deficiency introduction

CAUSES

What causes iodine deficiency?

Our bodies do not produce iodine, so it must come from our diet. Iodine deficiency is rare in the United States, partly due to widespread use of iodized salt. Because animal feed is also often supplemented with iodine, meat and dairy products tend to be high in iodine.... Read more about iodine deficiency causes

TREATMENTS

How is iodine deficiency treated?

The main treatment for iodine deficiency is avoiding it in the first place. The introduction of iodized salt has greatly reduced the occurrence of iodine deficiency in the United States and throughout many parts of the world.... Read more about iodine deficiency treatments