If a person has developed iodine deficiency, the symptoms can be varied. The normal functioning of all body systems depends on an important trace element. With its shortage in the internal organs, pathological conditions begin to develop. It is necessary to monitor the iodine content in the food taken during pregnancy.
Importance of micronutrient saturation
A feature of the human body is the dependence of endocrine regulation on two hormones of the endocrine system: thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These components affect all regulatory processes in the internal organs. Disorders begin when iodine deficiency occurs. Symptoms of a micronutrient deficiency are observed during a period of decline in overall well-being.
Iodine affects health as follows:
- responsible for normal blood pressure;
- regulates blood sugar;
- affects the rhythm of the heartbeat;
- helps the breakdown of fat cells, their removal from the body;
- increases the intensity of tissue regeneration;
- helps cell division.
From poor ecology, malnutrition and stress in a metropolis, a person acquires iodine deficiency. Symptoms of painful conditions are often not associated with a lack of trace elements, but are involved in the treatment of exacerbations in a single organ, which does not eliminate the cause of the malaise.
Thus, inflammation is removed only for a while, and the body continues to experience iodine deficiency, the symptoms of which appear during the next breakdown. Moreover, it is not possible to establish the patterns of the appearance of specific manifestations of a shortage of an important trace element in the body. All signs resemble common diseases.
Health deficiencies with a lack of trace elements
Symptoms of iodine deficiency in women often appear during pregnancy. Even women in an “interesting” position often experience severe depletion, and the future baby needs a huge amount of vitamins and minerals.
With insufficient saturation of the body with iodine, a set of certain signs is observed in women, which any person can recognize independently:
- Change in the appearance of the skin. There is increased dryness of the hands, face.
- Hair becomes dull and brittle, intense hair loss occurs.
- Women find themselves quickly tired and annoyed over trifles.
- Nails lose their healthy shine, become brittle.
- The general tone of the body decreases, the immune system suffers. Often there are colds.
- Mental activity becomes difficult.
- Women may notice that they have gained weight despite physical training.
Without enough iodine, the female body reacts sharply to this. The menstrual cycle is broken, there may be difficulties when trying to get pregnant. In severe cases, a malfunction occurs in the reproductive system, the risk of acquiring a state of infertility increases.
Danger to the fetus
Symptoms of iodine deficiency in pregnant women are classified as critical conditions. For the health of the unborn child there is a significant threat. A trace element is required for the formation of internal organs, brain, nervous system. Toddlers can be born with pathologies of their body structure with low weight.
It is recommended to eliminate the symptoms of iodine deficiency in women with a doctor. The photo shows what can be with acute iodine deficiency in the body. The appearance of a person changes before his eyes. With a prolonged lack of body support, there comes a moment of rapid deterioration of well-being. This condition is especially dangerous, up to the formation of a miscarriage.
Pregnant women experience uncomfortable conditions: periodically their legs swell, their eyelids swell in the morning. Water retention in the body occurs due to metabolic disorders in the body.
Trace affects the health of a strong half of humanity
Symptoms of iodine deficiency in men are manifested in a loss of former mobility. There is an indisposition without visible deviations in health. Weakening of sexual activity is observed, in severe cases, a lack of iodine in general can cause impotence. Many people have extra pounds with a balanced diet.
Frequent colds and anemia are the result of iodine deficiency. Excessive weight gain leads to the formation of stones in the urinary or gall bladders. The male body requires an increased content of a beneficial element in food. In adulthood, the endocrine system fails with deficiency, and the protective barrier to infections weakens. Chronic diseases worsen, they managed to accumulate throughout life.
How is the lack of an element in babies?
The most dangerous iodine deficiency in children, its symptoms can be detected already in the early stages of complications. Mental activity and activity of the child is significantly reduced. The process of knowing the world around is hindered. The severe consequence of iodine deficiency is cretinism, which is a rather lengthy and costly task to treat.
Iodine deficiency can become hereditary when a pregnant woman neglected the advice of an observing physician. Smoking makes a significant contribution to reducing the concentration of an important element in the body. The child has deviations in the following areas:
- Physical retardation in development.
- Psychological imbalance.
- The difficulty of mental work.
- Speech abnormalities.
Possible complications
Symptoms of iodine deficiency in adolescents are expressed as mental retardation compared to peers. A fast-growing organism depletes mineral reserves. Therefore, a balanced diet and nutritional supplements are necessary in the spring and autumn. Some children may even lose consciousness from a lack of iodine, so the condition of the body should be monitored and periodic tests done.
Iodine deficiency entails changes in the structure of the thyroid gland, so-called endemic goiter is often formed. This condition, when a bulging seal is noticeably on the neck, looks like a tumor. The decrease in the functions of the organ is called hypothyroidism, and with a deviation in its work, a diagnosis of euthyroidism is made.
How to establish the lack of an important trace element?
For an independent test for the iodine content in the body, you will need a vial with a tool and a cotton swab. A simple experiment allows you to establish the stage when complications are possible. With positive results, it is recommended to visit the clinic and begin to restore lost health under the guidance of a specialist.
A cotton swab performs a drawing on the forearm or behind the auricle in the form of three stripes. They try to make the first thick and saturated. The length can be about 5 cm. The second is carried out in one touch without pressing, a translucent color should be obtained. The third is displayed in tone between the two previous ones. It is further recommended to go to bed, the procedure is carried out in the evening before bedtime.
The next day, the state of the drawing is evaluated. The translucent strip should disappear completely. If this did not happen, then draw conclusions about the high iodine content in the body. It is recommended to even lower its intake. The complete absence of the marked markings indicates a critical state of the body; an urgent replenishment of the trace element with the help of drug therapy is required.
In the case when there are two bands of greater saturation, they talk about the normal iodine content in the body. If one thick mark remains, then prevention is carried out by means of a balanced diet. Pills and vitamins can not be taken, just pick up rational foods. This will help the nutritionist.
How to fill in the gaps in nutrition?
If symptoms of iodine deficiency have formed in the body, you need to contact an endocrinologist first to diagnose the state of the thyroid gland. The work of this organ directly depends on the saturation of the body with iodine, which affects all internal processes. To replenish the lost elements, food prevention methods are chosen.
Iodine-rich foods :
- Beets, potatoes.
- Sea kale, parsley.
- Iodized salt and bread are sold in regular stores.
- Sea fish, mussels, shrimp.
- Dairy products, eggs, cottage cheese.
- Red meat.
- Peas, spinach, bananas, black currants.
All plants may not contain iodine due to the massive saturation of the soil with fertilizers. It is recommended to resort to medical methods of treatment only after examination by an endocrinologist. If you already have thyroid problems, many drugs may not work and may even become hazardous to your health.
What leads to a lack of trace elements?
Iodine is consumed by the body in times of stressful situations, during an attack of infections. An active life position of a person leads to increased consumption of an important element in the body. Disorders of the digestive system, painful conditions after injuries also affect the content of minerals.
Iodine decreases during periods of fasting, from overeating and blood clots. Minerals are washed away with excessive fluid intake. Alcohol leads to dehydration, smoking provokes a violation of the thyroid gland. Doctors often prescribe drugs to replenish the element: iodine asset, structure, iodonorm. In this case, patients are required to follow a diet, abandon bad habits and follow a healthy lifestyle.