Iodine’s main job is to make thyroid hormone. And thyroid hormone’s main job is to support just about every bodily system we have. And if you’re iodine deficient, and therefore thyroid deficient, you might have a range of symptoms.
But a warning: Iodine is not a DIY supplement. If you think you might be deficient, check with your doctor. Because it’s possible you have enough iodine and something else is suppressing thyroid function.
Very few people in the United States actually are iodine deficient. But it happens. So if these symptoms ring a bell, it’s worth checking out.
Goiter
A goiter is a swelling in the front of your neck. If you’re not getting enough iodine, your thyroid is trying to rev up hormone production to compensate. And it’s probably failing. So it works even harder. And under all that stress, it grows.
If you have a goiter, don’t wait – see your doctor. Your thyroid needs help.
Feeling the Cold
Thyroid hormones play a large part in our ability to regulate our body temperature. If you’re low on iodine, you might not have enough thyroid hormone to handle the cold. In other words, the cold gets colder.
Putting on Weight
When you don’t have enough thyroid hormone running through your system, you lose energy. And you tend to add pounds more easily and find it tougher to take them off.
Dry and Flaky Skin
Thyroid hormones also affect your skin. It means you may be sweating less. But with lowered levels of thyroid come lowered levels of moisture in your skin. So your skin gets too dry and starts forming flakes.
Hair Loss
Thyroid hormones are also involved in hair growth. As your follicles stop growing, you may start to notice that you’re losing hair or that your hair is thinning.
Conclusion
On the bright side, these symptoms may get better or even go away with treatment. But if you have symptoms and you think you may be iodine deficient, check with your doctor first.
