ConsumerDatos en españolHealth ProfessionalOther Resources 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.Table of ContentsWhat is iodine and what does it do?How much iodine do I need?What foods provide iodine?What kinds of iodine dietary supplements are available?Am I getting enough iodine?What happens if I don't get enough iodine?What are some effects of iodine on health?Can iodine be harmful?Are there any interactions with iodine that I should know about?Iodine and healthful eatingWhere can I find out more about iodine? 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: 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. People who don't get enough iodine cannot make sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. This can cause many problems. In pregnant women, severe iodine deficiency can permanently harm the fetus by causing stunted growth, mental retardation, and delayed sexual development. Less severe iodine deficiency can cause lower-than-average IQ in infants and children and decrease adults' ability to work and think clearly. Goiter, an enlarged thyroid gland, is often the first visible sign of iodine deficiency.

Scientists are studying iodine to understand how it affects health. Here are some examples of what this research has shown. Fetal and infant development Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need to get enough iodine for their babies to grow and develop properly. Breastfed infants get iodine from breast milk. However, the iodine content of breast milk depends on how much iodine the mother gets. To make adequate amounts of iodine available for proper fetal and infant development, several national and international groups recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding women and infants take iodine supplements. In the United States and Canada, the American Thyroid Association recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding women take prenatal vitamin/mineral supplements containing iodine (150 mcg/day). However, only about half the prenatal multivitamins sold in the United States contain iodine. Cognitive function during childhood Severe iodine deficiency during childhood has harmful effects on the development of the brain and nervous system.

The effects of mild iodine deficiency during childhood are more difficult to measure, but mild iodine deficiency might cause subtle problems with neurological development. Giving iodine supplements to children with mild iodine deficiency improves their reasoning abilities and overall cognitive function. In children living in iodine-deficient areas, iodine supplements seem to improve both physical and mental development. T Shirt AutismMore study is needed to fully understand the effects of mild iodine deficiency and of iodine supplements on cognitive function.Walmart Door Curtains Although not harmful, fibrocystic breast disease causes lumpy, painful breasts. Buy Authentic Ysl T ShirtIt mainly affects women of reproductive age but can also occur during menopause.

Very high doses of iodine supplements might reduce the pain and other symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease, but more study is necessary to confirm this. Check with your health care provider before taking iodine for this condition, especially because iodine can be unsafe at high doses. Nuclear accidents can release radioactive iodine into the environment, increasing the risk of thyroid cancer in people who are exposed to the radioactive iodine, especially children. People with iodine deficiency who are exposed to radioactive iodine are especially at risk of developing thyroid cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved potassium iodide as a thyroid-blocking agent to reduce the risk of thyroid cancer in radiation emergencies. Yes, if you get too much. Getting high levels of iodine can cause some of the same symptoms as iodine deficiency, including goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland). High iodine intakes can also cause thyroid gland inflammation and thyroid cancer.

Getting a very large dose of iodine (several grams, for example) can cause burning of the mouth, throat, and stomach; The upper limits for iodine are listed below. These levels do not apply to people who are taking iodine for medical reasons under the care of a doctor.Iodine supplements can interact or interfere with medicines that you take. Here are several examples: Tell your doctor, pharmacist, and other health care providers about any dietary supplements and medicines you take. They can tell you if those dietary supplements might interact or interfere with your prescription or over-the-counter medicines or if the medicines might interfere with how your body absorbs, uses, or breaks down nutrients. People should get most of their nutrients from food, advises the federal government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Foods contain vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and other substances that benefit health. In some cases, fortified foods and dietary supplements may provide nutrients that otherwise may be consumed in less-than-recommended amounts.