Iodine or k . deficiencyIodine deficiency is the main cause goiter and hypothyroidism. Iodine or iodine is a component that the thyroid uses to produce thyroid hormones.
Iodine deficiency is most common in children and nursing mothers. There are various disorders that arise due to lack of iodine (iodine), including goiter and hypothyroidism. This condition is known as IDD or disorders due to iodine deficiency.
In addition, iodine deficiency can also occur in pregnant women. When it occurs in pregnant women, iodine deficiency will increase the risk of miscarriage, fetal death, and impaired child development, in the form of cretinism.
Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency
Lack of iodine intake causes a decrease in thyroid hormone production in the body, causing hypothyroidism and goiter. Thyroid hormones play a major role in regulating various body functions. If a person suffers from a thyroid hormone deficiency, the following symptoms will occur:
- Lump on neck.
- Hair loss.
- Weight gain for no apparent reason.
- The body feels tired and weak.
- Feeling cold.
- The skin becomes dry and cracked.
- Menstrual disorders.
- Heart rhythm disturbances.
- Decreased memory and thinking skills.
In pregnant women, iodine deficiency can be harmful to the fetus. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy can cause the child to develop cretinism (congenital or congenital hypothyroidism). Cretinism in children can cause developmental disorders, such as muscle tension, stunting, impaired gait, deafness, and unable to speak.
When to go to the doctor
A person needs to see a doctor if they experience symptoms of iodine deficiency as mentioned above, pregnant women are no exception. Pregnant women need to have their pregnancy checked regularly every month, until the gestational age reaches the 7th month or 28th week.
At week 28 to week 36, pregnant women need to have their pregnancy checked every 2 weeks. Meanwhile, pregnant women need to undergo a pregnancy consultation every week when the gestational age enters the 36th week until the time of delivery.
Hypothyroidism can cause a dangerous complication, namely myxedema coma. This condition causes the sufferer to experience behavioral changes and become unconscious. Patients with myxedema coma need to be brought to the emergency room immediately.
Causes of Iodine Deficiency
Iodine deficiency is caused by a lack of iodine intake in the food consumed. Most adults need 150 mcg of iodine per day. Meanwhile, pregnant women need at least 220 mcg of iodine per day, while breastfeeding women need 290 mcg of iodine per day.
To meet the daily intake of iodine, you can eat the following types of foods:
- Seaweed.
- Seafood (seafood), such as shrimp, clams, and tuna.
- Iodized salt.
- Egg.
- Dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, and ice cream.
- Soy milk.
- Soy sauce.
- Dried plums.
Iodine Deficiency Diagnosis
At the initial stage of the examination, the doctor will ask the patient's complaints and symptoms, and ask whether the patient has ever had a thyroid-related disease. Next, the doctor will perform a physical examination, especially in the neck to check for lumps due to a goiter.
Doctors can also perform several supporting tests in making a diagnosis. These supporting examinations include:
blood test
The doctor will take a sample of the patient's blood and send it to a laboratory for further investigation. Blood tests are used to see thyroid hormone levels and iodine levels in the body.
urine test
Doctors can examine one urine sample or several urine samples when the patient urinates within 24 hours. Through the examination of the urine sample, the doctor can determine the level of iodine in the patient's body. This is because the kidneys will remove about 90% of the iodine absorbed by the body.
Normal levels of iodine vary from person to person, depending on age and condition. Children aged 6 years to adults are said to have an iodine deficiency if the level of iodine in their urine is below 100 mcg per liter. In pregnant women, if the level is below 500 mcg per liter, and in breastfeeding women, if the level is below 100 mcg per liter.
Test patches iodine
In this test, the doctor will apply iodine to the patient's skin and check the color within 24 hours. If a person does not have an iodine deficiency, the iodine applied topically will be lost over 24 hours. On the other hand, the iodine smear will fade faster in people who have an iodine deficiency.
Prevention and Treatment of Iodine Deficiency
The Government of Indonesia is working with UNICEF to promote UUniversal Salt Iodization to meet the needs of iodine throughout Indonesia. Starting from the production of iodized salt to the addition of iodine to processed products, such as instant noodles and sauces.
To prevent iodine deficiency, pregnant women can take a multivitamin containing 150 mcg of iodine every day or as directed by a doctor. In addition, pregnant women need to eat foods rich in iodine and include iodized salt in their daily food intake.
A person who suffers from disorders due to iodine deficiency (IDA) will get several treatment options, namely:
Drugs
The drug levothyroxine is used to treat symptoms caused by hypothyroidism and to slow down the action of hormones to reduce the size of the goiter. Doctors can also give aspirin and corticosteroids to treat inflammation.
Operation
Doctors may recommend surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. Surgery is only performed if the growing goiter causes the sufferer to have difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Radioactive Iodine
In some cases, doctors may use radioactive iodine or nuclear thyroid therapy to reduce the size of the goiter. Patients with goiter are asked to take radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid cells.
In addition to treatment from a doctor, people with iodine deficiency need to meet their daily iodine intake by taking iodized multivitamins, eating foods rich in iodine, and using iodized salt in their diet.
Complications due to Iodine Deficiency
A person who is deficient in iodine can suffer from goiter and hypothyroidism. Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to heart failure, decreased thinking skills, peripheral neuropathy, myxedema, and infertility. Goiter itself can cause a person to have difficulty breathing if its size increases.
Keep in mind that people with iodine deficiency can also experience complications when treated. People with hypothyroidism generally have a thyroid that is accustomed to straining to take in, break down, and use iodine from food. When undergoing therapy with the addition of iodine intake or consumption of iodine supplements, patients can develop hyperthyroidism due to too much iodine absorbed by the body.