We often hear the term “iodine deficiency” . So, do we know what it really is and what health problems it causes? . First of all, iodine is an important mineral that causes regular functioning of thyroid hormones under the control of the pituitary gland. We need iodine for the healthy functioning of the thyroid hormone, which manages the functions of the organs in our body and the development process of our brain. . Therefore, the first and most important symptom of iodine deficiency is disorders in the thyroid gland.
We can list the problems our body experiences due to iodine deficiency, which causes a chain reaction, as follows;
- Goiter
- Headache
- Dry skin
- Depression
- memory problems
- confusion
- menstrual problems
- Constipation
- Weakness in muscles
- high cholesterol
- kidney problems
- Hair thinning
- stiffness in joints
- Pathological sleep i.e. lethargy
- Feeling tired all the time
- recurring infections
- Inability to lose weight gained
- being sensitive to cold
- Constantly cold hands and feet
- Hypothyroidism, that is, underactive thyroid gland
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, and other pregnancy-related problems
If iodine deficiency continues , health problems cause different diseases. It is known that gynecological diseases and iodine deficiency diseases that affect pregnancy generally cause heart problems. Heart diseases that develop due to the increase in cholesterol levels in the process that begins with the irregular functioning of thyroid hormones are of vital importance. It is also a harbinger of many diseases that occur with iodine deficiency and affect women’s menstrual, pregnancy and post-pregnancy periods.
These diseases, known as iodine deficiency diseases, are:
- Breast Cancer
- Infertility
- Early birth
- miscarriage or stillbirth
- decreased fertility
- Depression and mental illnesses
- Health problems in newborn babies
- Heart-related diseases such as enlarged heart and heart failure
- Peripheral Neuropathy, known as blockage or narrowing of the arteries in the legs
