He said that about 50 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition and that women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems. He said that WHO (World Health Organization) has identified iodine deficiency as the world’s most prevalent, yet easily preventable, cause of brain damage. “Iodine is an essential element in normal thyroid function. Since the body doesn’t make it, iodine must be ingested through the diet. Consequences of iodine deficiency include physical and mental retardation, cretinism, endemic goiter, hypothyroidism and poor outcomes in pregnancy,” he said.
The WHO recommends iodine intake of 250 micrograms/ day during pregnancy to maintain adequate thyroid hormone production. Hence, pregnant and lactating women should receive a daily multivitamin/ mineral supplement that contains 250 mcg of iodine or ionized salt. This level of support is critical to assure normal brain development of the fetus and baby.
MORE ABOUT THYROID TROUBLES
*The most common thyroid disorders include hypothyroidism (abnormally decreased thyroid activity), hyperthyroidism (abnormally increased thyroid activity), thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland) and thyroid cancer.
*Hypothyroidism, a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, is the most common thyroid disease. Symptoms include fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, irregular menses, and weight gain. Treatment of hypothyroidism is usually with a synthetic form of thyroid hormone called “levothyroxine”.
*Hyperthyroidism,”-the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms include irritability, nervousness, muscle weakness, unexplained weight loss, sleep disturbances, vision problems and eye irritation. It can be treated with anti-thyroid drugs; radio iodine drops and surgery.
*The best way to initially test thyroid function is to measure the TSH level in a blood sample. Changes in TSH can serve as an “early warning system” – often occurring before the actual level of thyroid hormones in the body becomes too high or too low.
*A high TSH level indicates that the thyroid gland is not making enough thyroid hormone (primary hypothyroidism). The opposite situation, in which the TSH level is low, usually indicates that the thyroid is producing too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism).
*Biotin supplements can interfere with the blood tests used to measure thyroid levels, so it is recommended to stop taking biotin containing supplements for 2-3 days prior to thyroid blood tests.
