However, before starting on iodine supplements, see your doctor as too much iodine can be harmful, especially if you have an underlying thyroid disorder.
If your diet is too low in iodine, your thyroid gland gets larger and larger to try to trap more iodine from the bloodstream so it can make more thyroid hormones. This overgrowth of the thyroid gland is called goitre.
People with long-term iodine deficiency can develop hypothyroidism. This is a condition in which not enough thyroid hormone is produced. Symptoms include dry skin, hair loss, fatigue and slowed reflexes. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as babies and very young children, are particularly at risk of problems from inadequate iodine intake.
Severe iodine deficiency can cause major physical and neurological abnormalities, miscarriage or stillbirth. So, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or considering becoming pregnant, ask your doctor for advice about your individual daily iodine needs.
They may recommend that you take a daily supplement. If you have a pre-existing thyroid condition, do not take iodine supplements without checking with your doctor. Iodine deficiency can cause serious problems for developing foetuses, babies and young children. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and you are iodine deficient, your baby is particularly at risk.
Thyroxine controls many of the ways certain cells work. Thyroxine is important for the growth of bones and nerves , and how proteins, fats and carbohydrates are used in the body.
Iodine is important before birth and in babies and young children. It is essential for the development of the brain and nervous system, the 5 senses, alertness and coordination. Too little iodine may cause extreme tiredness, feeling cold, problems concentrating and hair loss. And without enough iodine, the thyroid gland may enlarge to form a goitre.
It shows up as a lump in the neck. Too much iodine usually from supplements can be dangerous for people with thyroid disorders. You get iodine from food. Foods high in iodine include seafoods such as oysters, snapper and seaweed.
Tinned salmon, bread, eggs, milk and milk products such as yoghurt also contain iodine. Iodised salt is now used in bread making. The packaging will tell you how much iodine the bread contains. If you are pregnant, check if you are eating enough iodine.
Low iodine levels can increase the risk of a miscarriage. It can also lead to stunted growth and intellectual disability or reduced IQ in the baby. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends that all women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or considering pregnancy take an iodine supplement of micrograms a day to top up their intake as otherwise they are unlikely to get all the iodine they need every day.
Talk to your doctor about this. Women who have a thyroid condition should not take iodine supplements until they have checked with their doctor.
If you are pregnant, avoid kelp seaweed supplements as these may contain varying levels of iodine and may contain heavy metals such as mercury. Get the latest public health information from CDC. Have a question? This is a reader-friendly overview of Iodine. For more details, see our health professional fact sheet on Iodine.
Iodine is a mineral found in some foods. The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones. These hormones control the body's metabolism and many other important functions. The body also needs thyroid hormones for proper bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy. Getting enough iodine is important for everyone, especially infants and women who are pregnant. The amount of iodine you need each day depends on your age. Average daily recommended amounts are listed below in micrograms mcg.
Iodine is found naturally in some foods and is also added to salt that is labeled as "iodized". You can get recommended amounts of iodine by eating a variety of foods, including the following:. In addition, specialty salts, such as sea salt, kosher salt, Himalayan salt, and fleur de sel, are not usually iodized. Iodine is available in dietary supplements, usually in the form of potassium iodide or sodium iodide.
Many multivitamin-mineral supplements contain iodine. Dietary supplements of iodine-containing kelp a seaweed are also available. Most people in the United States get enough iodine from foods and beverages. However, certain groups of people are more likely than others to have trouble getting enough iodine:. Iodine deficiency is uncommon in the United States and Canada. Taking high doses of iodine for long periods of time could change the way your thyroid gland works.
Page last reviewed: 03 August Next review due: 03 August Good sources of iodine Good food sources of iodine include: sea fish shellfish Iodine can also be found in plant foods, such as cereals and grains, but the levels vary depending on the amount of iodine in the soil where the plants are grown. How much iodine do I need?
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