Causes

Since iodine cannot be produced by the body itself, it must be taken in with food. An iodine deficiency is therefore the consequence of having taken in less iodine with food than the body actually needs. In Germany there is relatively little iodine in the groundwater and in the soil, so there is a natural iodine deficiency.

Particularly in mountainous regions, there is very little iodine in the groundwater and in the soil and therefore the food there also contains little iodine. In these regions, many people suffer from iodine deficiency because they take up too little iodine with their food. Some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can lead to iodine deficiency because the iodine cannot be properly absorbed into the body from food.

The affected patients usually also have a deficiency of other nutrients. Of course, an iodine deficiency can also occur when the body needs more iodine than usual. Especially children and adolescents in growth, pregnant women and nursing mothers have an increased iodine requirement. These groups of people are therefore susceptible to iodine deficiency.

Indications

A slight iodine deficiency can be compensated for quite well by the thyroid gland and is usually not noticeable because the thyroid gland only enlarges to a small extent and thus ensures hormone production again. If the iodine deficiency persists over a longer period of time, the thyroid gland may enlarge more and a goitre may develop. A goitre can make itself felt by a feeling of pressure or lumps in the throat, even if it is not yet visible from the outside.

A larger goiter can constrict the windpipe and cause shortness of breath.Here you will find more information on the topic: goiter If the iodine deficiency persists for a very long time and is very pronounced, the thyroid gland can only compensate for the deficiency with difficulty and an underactive thyroid gland is the result. Thyroid hormones are necessary for the control of many processes in the body, for example growth, energy metabolism and bone formation. Hypothyroidism is therefore reflected in symptoms in these areas.

Patients complain of constipation, feel less fit and feel less drive to tackle things. Concentration problems can be another symptom, patients feel tired and mentally less capable. The symptoms can develop into depression. The disturbed energy metabolism shuts down the body’s basal metabolic rate, causing patients to freeze and gain weight. Thyroid hormones are also involved in the metabolism of connective tissue: Dry skin, dry hair and brittle nails can be the result.