Why the thyroid gland needs iodine
The thyroid gland needs iodine for hormone production – in hypothyroidism as well as in a healthy thyroid. In iodine deficiency, the thyroid gland can enlarge (goiter, iodine deficiency goiter) and develop hypothyroidism.
The body must absorb iodine through food. The daily requirement for adolescents and adults (up to 50 years of age) is 200 micrograms – a tiny amount that is nevertheless not reached by many people. This is because Germany, like many other Central European countries, is a natural iodine deficiency area: the drinking water, the soil and thus also the food crops grown on it are low in iodine.
In order to be able to cover the daily iodine requirement, special attention should therefore be paid to an iodine-rich diet. In consultation with the doctor, it may also be necessary to take iodine supplements.
Iodine-rich diet for hypothyroidism
In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, on the other hand, very high amounts of iodine should be avoided. They can accelerate the course of the disease. You can read more about this in the article “Hashimoto’s thyroiditis”.
Hypothyroidism: Nutrition during pregnancy
During pregnancy, there is an increased need for iodine because two thyroid glands (the maternal and the fetal) must be supplied with the trace element. The daily requirement for pregnant women is therefore 230 micrograms of iodine – regardless of whether they have hypothyroidism or not. A diet of iodine-rich foods alone cannot meet this requirement.
In consultation with the gynecologist, pregnant women should also take iodine tablets to prevent an undersupply. This could lead to goitre formation in the woman and impaired development of the brain and nervous system in the unborn child.
Thus, the following recommendations for an adequate iodine supply apply to pregnant women:
- eat sea fish at least twice a week (haddock, pollock, cod, plaice)
- drink milk regularly
- use only iodized table salt
- prefer to eat foods made with iodized table salt
Experts also recommend that pregnant women with autoimmune thyroid diseases (e.g. Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) take sufficient iodine.
Hypothyroidism: Nutrition during breastfeeding
The iodine requirement is also increased during breastfeeding, because the trace element is passed on to the child with the mother’s milk. Breastfeeding women should consume 260 micrograms of iodine per day – through food as well as in the form of iodine tablets. This applies both to women with and without hypothyroidism. Diet and additional iodine intake should follow the same recommendations as for pregnant women.