Contents:
- Medical Video: Swollen Lymph Nodes | Auburn Medical Group
- Signs and symptoms of iodine deficiency in the body
- 1. Swelling of the thyroid gland
- 2. Body weight rises dramatically
- 3. Easily tired and cold
- 4. Hair loss and dry skin
- 5. The heartbeat slows down
- 6. Difficult to remember
Medical Video: Swollen Lymph Nodes | Auburn Medical Group
Reporting from the press release of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the 2007 Riskesdas data showed that of the 90 percent achievement target, only 62.3 percent of households in Indonesia consumed iodized salt. This means that there are still many people who do not understand well about the dangers of iodine deficiency for health.
If the body does not get the iodine needed in a day, the body will be susceptible to interference due to iodine deficiency (IDD). These include goiter, hypothyroidism, mental retardation, miscarriage, and physical development barriers. So, how do you know the symptoms of iodine deficiency?
Signs and symptoms of iodine deficiency in the body
Iodine plays an important role in producing thyroid hormones in the body. This thyroid hormone functions to help metabolize and support child development.
Although only a small amount is needed, but in fact not a few people experience a lack of this mineral intake. Various signs and symptoms of iodine deficiency include:
1. Swelling of the thyroid gland
When your iodine intake is less than 100 mcg (micrograms) per day, the body will begin to produce thyroid hormone (TSH) excessively. This can lead to swelling of the thyroid gland, or what is known as a goiter.
In Indonesia alone, this condition is better known as goiter. You might think that a goiter bump can be seen clearly on the neck and feels pain. Even though it's not like that, you know.
An assistant lecturer in endocrinology and metabolism from the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Brittany Henderson, MD, said that mumps can only be seen through ultrasound or CT. scan.
However, if you experience a sensation of blocking your throat, such as when you are choking or having difficulty swallowing, then this can be an early symptom of goiter.
2. Body weight rises dramatically
If you feel that your weight has increased dramatically, even though you are not eating a lot, you may be deficient in iodine. But indeed, not all cases of weight gain are definitely symptoms of iodine deficiency.
The main function of thyroid hormone is to help control the body's metabolism, namely by breaking down food into energy and heat. When thyroid hormone levels are low, the body will be overwhelmed to process food. As a result, calories from food will be stored in the form of fat and increase your weight.
3. Easily tired and cold
Naturally, if the body feels tired after a day of activities. But be careful, this can also be one of the symptoms of iodine deficiency.
A study published in the 2010 Hippokratia journal revealed that about 80 percent of people with low thyroid levels tend to be easily exhausted and cold. Because the body's slow metabolism makes the body fail to produce energy. The body also feels weak and cold.
4. Hair loss and dry skin
Not only regulates the body's metabolism, thyroid hormones also function to control the growth of hair follicles. When the body's thyroid hormone is low, your hair follicles will stop regenerating or grow back. This is what makes hair thin and easily fall out.
Not only hair, cell regeneration also depends on high or low thyroid hormones in the body. Skin cells will be difficult to regenerate and sweat less often when the body gets less iodine intake. As a result, the skin tends to dry and easily peel off.
5. The heartbeat slows down
Sooner or later your heart rate is affected by the iodine content in the body. If this mineral level is too low, your heart rate will decrease. Vice versa, most iodine intake can increase heart rate.
Severe and chronic iodine deficiency can make your heart rate slow down abnormally. If it is not treated immediately, this can cause the body to feel weak, tired, dizzy, even unconscious.
6. Difficult to remember
A study involving 1,000 adults found that participants who had high thyroid hormone levels tended to have strong, responsive memory, compared to participants with low thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormones also play an important role in brain growth and development. Experts find that the size of the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that controls long-term memory, tends to be smaller in people with low thyroid levels. That's why, iodine deficiency can inhibit brain development and make you forget easily.
