Is Iodine Deficiency Coming Back?

The numbers are surprising. An estimated 33 million Americans are iodine deficient today, and the reduced intake noted by the ICCIDD suggests that this figure may rise in the years ahead. How could this happen?

The introduction of iodized salt in 1924 was supposed to fix everything. It did, in fact, address the most serious problems of iodine deficiency like goiter and cretinism, and that was enough for authorities to consider the problem solved. Today, with hypothyroidism on the rise and a greater understanding of conditions like subclinical hypothyroidism, researchers are saying "not so fast."

The ICGIDD study doesn't have a clear answer for the iodine drop-off in America, but two factors do stand out. First, Americans are cutting back on sodium for obvious reasons, and skipping the extra shake of table salt. Second, there's evidence that iodine absorption in the body is being compromised — and that represents a serious health concern.

Iodine Blockers Found in Typical Daily Diet
Some researchers believe a sharp rise of "iodine blockers" in our diets and environment could be ushering in a new era of iodine deficiency.

Iodine is one of several halogens that all compete for the same receptor sites and absorption in the thyroid gland. When other halogens are present in the thyroid, the body's ability to absorb what little iodine is present can be obstructed.

These iodine-blocking halogens are increasingly prevalent. They include chlorine in our water supplies and food products like Sucralose; fluoride in water supplies, toothpaste, and medicines like Paxil, Prozac®, and Flonase; and bromine, which has been used widely in baked goods since 1980 as a dough conditioner (replacing iodine) and in soft drinks like Mountain Dew® and Gatorade®.

Fluoride is doubly alarming, because it also inhibits the thyroid's ability to use iodine once it is absorbed. The daily amount of fluoride typically ingested by people in fluoridated communities (2.3-4.5 mg/day) actually exceeds the amount of fluoride known to depress thyroid gland function.

Making matters worse is the growing popularity of soy-based foods like soy milk, tofu, and soy meat substitutes. Soy is high in substances called goitrogens that block iodine utilization and lower thyroid hormone production.

Soy's iodine-blocking role should be a genuine concern for anyone who consumes soy milk or other soy products. Low iodine intake together with blocked absorption is a very-real recipe for trouble.

"Making [thyroid conditions] worse is the growing popularity of soy-based foods like soy milk, tofu, and soy meat substitutes. Soy is high in substances called goitrogens that block iodine utilization and lower thyroid hormone production. Soy's iodine-blocking role should be a genuine concern for anyone who consumes soy milk or other soy products."

Iodine and Hidden Thyroid Imbalances
It's no secret that a healthy thyroid is dependent on adequate intake of iodine. Located in the front of the neck, its primary function is to produce a hormone called thyroxine (known as T4 because it contains 4 iodine atoms) which is then further concentrated into triiodothyronine (T3). These two hormones are released to the bloodstream and carried to virtually every cell and tissue in the body, where they play a pivotal role in metabolism.

If the thyroid can't produce enough T4, a condition called hypothyroidism develops. However, researchers now believe that problems can begin long before actual hypothyroidism is diagnosed. Even a slightly underactive thyroid can trigger many of the same symptoms as full-blown hypothyroidism.

A study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism concludes that subclinical hypothyroidism may affect 30 million Americans with fatigue, pain, weight gain, depression, insomnia, menstrual problems, memory problems, hair loss, cold intolerance, and other problems. Since the symptoms mimic other conditions, subclinical hypothyroidism is frequently misdiagnosed. What's more, conventional testing for hypothyroidism often misses the problem altogether.

The T4 shortfall in hypothyroidism is easily identified by blood tests. In subclinical hypothyroidism, T4 levels remain normal but are accompanied by elevated levels of thyroid stimulating hormone. Doctors have traditionally disregarded elevated TSH, reasoning that no problem existed as long as adequate T4 was produced. However, the need for excessive TSH to drive T4 production strongly suggests that mild thyroid failure is present.

Because symptoms of subclinical hypothyroidism develop slowly and can emerge in later years, they are widely and mistakenly self-diagnosed as simple signs of aging by patients themselves.

“Estrogen-replacement therapy can reduce thyroid hormone availability, and sluggish thyroid function may be responsible in part for hot flashes, insomnia, and irritability associated with menopause."

Who is Most Vulnerable
While anyone can suffer from low thyroid function, experts agree that it's more prevalent as we age and it's several times more common in women than men.

Studies at both Harvard and the University of Colorado confirm that at least one in ten women over 50 years of age has some degree of low thyroid. Othe studies show that by age 60, one in five women will suffer thyroid problems.

Women seem especially vulnerable during post-partum and menopausal periods. Estrogen-replacement therapy can reduce thyroid hormone availability, and sluggish thyroid function may be responsible in part for hot flashes, insomnia, and irritability associated with menopause.

Solutions for Mild Thyroid Failure
As with overt hypothyroidism, the conventional medical treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism is synthetic thyroid hormones. Some alternative health practitioners recommend thyroid hormone replacement supplements derived from animal glands.

A third option is nutritional supplementation to support the thyroid and help it achieve healthier function on its own.

Supplemental iodine tops the list of many natural healthcare professionals, supported by a diet that includes adequate levels of zinc, selenium, magnesium, vitamin D, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Colloidal iodine is the recommended form as it offers the highest absorbability.

“... people taking extra iodine report increased energy, greater well-being, improved sleep, clearer thinking, more regular bowel movements, improved skin, and less cold intolerance - all noted symptoms of subclinical hypothyroidism.”

According to Donald W. Miller, Jr, MD in Iodine for Health, people taking extra iodine report increased energy, greater well-being, improved sleep, clearer thinking, more regular bowel movements, improved skin, and less cold intolerance. What's more, supplementation has been shown to increase urinary excretion of fluoride and bromide, which decreases their ability to block iodine, and to help detoxify the body of aluminum, cadmium, lead, and mercury.

As for recommended amounts, The Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board suggests a daily limit of 1.1 milligrams of iodine for adults. This amount is dwarfed by actual dietary iodine intake elsewhere in the world. According to Dr. Miller, for example, the Japanese ingest more than 12 milligrams of iodine daily due to their high consumption of seaweed, which is a 50-fold greater amount than a typical American's daily iodine intake.

A Superior Natural Iodine Supplement
Thyadine™ from TriMedica® is a colloidal iodine formula that is derived from sea kelp and considered 99% absorbable, making it the most assimilable iodine supplement on the market today.

Thyadine™ utilizes a colloidal stabilization process that produces supplemental iodine in its purest elemental form. It requires no digestive "breakdown," thus promoting more complete uptake than iodized salt or iodine trichlorate and iodine chloride supplements. These iodine compounds can be difficult to break down in the digestive system, resulting in absorption of as little as 10% of the stated iodine levels.

Thyadine™ also includes thyroid support in the form of thyroid homeopathic medicines
Fucus Vesiculosis 3X, Spongia Tosta 12X, and Thyroid 3X and Thyroid 30c. These are used and recommended by homeopathic physicians to address thyroid-related issues including fatigue, obesity, constipation, and cold hands and feet.

Thyadine™ has been shown to produce often immediate improvements for individuals experiencing decreased energy levels and mental focus related to iodine deficiency. It offers the highest level of natural support available for both iodine and thyroid imbalances, and may contribute to the alleviation of subclinical hypothyroidism and its symptoms.

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Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from a qualified health care professional or holistic medical doctor. You should not use the information for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You are encouraged to make your own health care decisions based on your own research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional or a holistic medical doctor before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before stopping or taking any medication, or if you have, or suspect you might have, a health problem.