Our iodine status is directly correlated with thyroid disease, and this relates to both iodine deficiency and iodine excess. Iodine deficiency is one of the most under recognised deficiencies in many populations including in Australia. It can increase the risk not only of thyroid disease but other health problems such as being one of the most preventable causes of intellectual impairment in kids. However, iodine excess is equally as important, as iodine can be toxic to the body (particularly the thyroid) in high doses. Let’s find out more about iodine and how finding the right balance is essential for the health of your thyroid and your whole body!
What is iodine?
Iodine is an essential trace element which is vital for our thyroid function, metabolism and brain development, in particular our baby’s nervous system development during pregnancy.
Why is Australia iodine deficient?
Iodine deficiency is a problem when the soil iodine level is too low or non-existent, so this is not transferred to the population. In Australia, we had previously overcome this problem, by introducing iodised salt and fortified food products with iodine.
One of the biggest fortifications in our diet was from our dairy industry, which was using an iodised solution in their sanitisation practices. This was incidentally fortifying Australian dairy products with iodine. In the fear that Australia would then get too much iodine in their diet, iodised salt and fortified products were ceased.
However, in the past few decades the dairy industry also decided to swap from an iodised solution to a chlorine based solution. So we are now left with little exposure to iodine in our diet, resulting in iodine deficiency re-emerging in Australia and causing health problems.
A 2007 study on Australian school kids, found that 50% of Australian primary school children in Victoria and NSW were iodine deficient.
Since 2009, the government requires all bakers to use iodised salt in their breads.
Iodine deficiency can cause:
* Learning impairment (Low IQ)
* Hyper-thyrodism (overactive thyroid)
* Goitres
* Fertility issues (as it assists ovulation)
* Stunted growth in kids
* Abnormal brain development in babies (due to low iodine during pregnancy)
Iodine excess risks
Iodine excess can change the regulation of our thyroid hormones, be directly toxic to the thyroid gland and increase risk of autoimmunity thyroiditis and hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid).
Who needs iodine?
Everyone needs iodine, however anyone with thyroid disease, autoimmunity or family history of thyroid problems should be cautious with iodine and only supplement under the supervision of a health practitioner.
Ideally we want to obtain sufficient iodine from our diet, and if we can’t then sometimes iodine supplementation at appropriate dosages can be beneficial to protect the health of our thyroid, hormones and our kid’s.
Pregnant and lactating women do require more iodine for the baby’s healthy brain development.
Dietary Sources of Iodine:
* Seaweeds like Arame and Kelp
* Iodised Salt or Mineral rich salts like Himalayan salt
* Seafood (although due to farming practices, iodine levels are now lower in fish)
* Eggs
* Meats
* Yoghurt
* Green leafy vegetables
Testing your iodine levels
The standard way to test iodine is through a urine spot test. This can be organised by your GP or health practitioner like a Nutritionist. If you’re iodine deficient, then you may need to supplement with iodine to bring your levels back into normal ranges.
Who should get tested?
* Females looking to conceive in the next 12-24 months
* Individuals with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or autoimmune thyroiditis
* If you have thyroid problems in your family
* Any women who experience bad PMS (particularly sore breasts) or suffer from ovarian cysts/fibroids.
If you would like to find out more about iodine, thyroid disease or any nutritional deficiency for that matter, then contact us for more information.
