Iodide
Your body needs iodine, a mineral, to work properly. The thyroid gland, for example, uses iodine to make the thyroid hormone thyroxin. Most iodine is in the form of iodide. These terms are often used interchangeably.
Functions
Iodide helps to:
- Regulate metabolic rate
- Regulate growth and development
- Promotes bone and protein synthesis
Recommended Intake
Age group |
Recommended Dietary Allowance [RDA]
(micrograms/day) |
Upper Limits [UL]
(micrograms/day) |
---|---|---|
0-6 months | 110 | Not determinable |
7-12 months | 130 | Not determinable |
1-3 years | 90 | 200 |
4-8 years | 90 | 300 |
9-13 years | 120 | 600 |
14-18 years | 150 | 900 |
19-30 years | 150 | 1,100 |
31-50 years | 150 | 1,100 |
50-70 years | 150 | 1,100 |
over 70 years | 150 | 1,100 |
Pregnancy (18 or younger) | 220 | 900 |
Pregnancy (19-50 years) | 220 | 1,100 |
Lactation (18 or younger) | 290 | 900 |
Lactation (19-50 years) | 290 | 1,100 |
Too Little Iodide
If you do not have enough iodide, your body cannot make enough thyroxin. This slows down the rate at which the body burns energy, so weight gain can become a problem. This lack of iodide can cause a goiter , or enlarged thyroid gland. This happens when the thyroid gland grows to try and take up more iodide from the bloodstream. A chronic iodide deficiency can result in destruction of the thyroid gland.
Because we have iodized salt in the US, goiter is rarely seen. If eaten in large quantities, some foods, like raw turnips and rutabagas, have chemicals that can cause goiters and inhibit thyroid gland functions. These chemicals, called goitrogens, are destroyed when the foods are cooked, so problems are uncommon.
Too Much Iodide
The thyroid can also become enlarged if you have too much iodide in your diet, though this is rare in the US. This “toxic goiter” is caused by elevated concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This is often seen in people who eat a lot of seaweed, which can add a significant amount of iodide to the diet. Iodide levels up to 1 milligram (more than six times the RDA) appear to be safe.
Major Food Sources
Iodide is found naturally in food grown in or near coastal seas. Seafood is naturally high in iodide, as are plants grown near the sea. Molasses and iodized salt are also good sources. Most people get plenty of iodide from the iodized salt in their diets, since only ½ teaspoon of iodized salt provides enough iodide to reach an adult's RDA for the day. The sea salt found in health food stores is generally not a good source because iodide is lost during processing.
Food | Serving Size |
Iodide content
(micrograms) |
---|---|---|
Table salt, iodized | ¼ teaspoon | 100 |
Cod, cooked | 3 ounces | 87 |
Potato, cooked | 1 medium | 7 |
Spinach, cooked | ½ cup | 5 |
Almonds | 1 ounce | 4 |
Health Implications
When the thyroid gland releases fewer hormones than the body needs, the result is hypothyroidism . Some of the symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Coarse, brittle hair; hair loss
- Facial puffiness
- Dry skin
- Swollen hands or feet
- Cold intolerance
- Weight gain
- Achy feeling all over
- Depression and irritability
- Menstrual abnormalities or infertility
When more hormones are released than necessary, the result is hyperthyroidism . Some symptoms include:
- Heat intolerance
- Tremors
- Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
- Heart palpitations
- Increased sweating
- Nervousness, irritability
- Redness, swelling, and protrusion of the eyes
- Shortness of breath
- Increased number of bowel movements
- Irregular or no menstrual period
A low iodide intake can especially impact children, causing a condition called cretinism . If not treated, the condition can lead to intellectual disability and abnormal growth. Iodine supplements can help reverse some of the affects. People who have a low iodide intake may be at risk of getting thyroid cancer , although it is not known exactly what causes the disease.
Tips for Increasing Your Iodide Intake
In general, there is little need to increase your iodide intake. Most people in the US get plenty from their diets, much of this coming from iodized salt. But if you use sea salt (or another type of salt) that does not have iodide, you can get the mineral from seafood or other sources. This is also true if you are on a low-sodium diet. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about how much iodide you are getting.
RESOURCES:
American Dietetic Association
http://www.eatright.org/
American Thyroid Association
http://www.thyroid.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Dietitians of Canada
http://www.dietitians.ca/
The Thyroid Foundation of Canada
http://www.thyroid.ca/
References
American Cancer Society. What are the risk factors for thyroid cancer? American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_What_are_the_risk_factors_for_thyroid_cancer_43.asp?sitearea=. Updated April 28, 2009. Accessed July 18, 2008.
Duyff RL. The American Dietetic Association’s Complete Food and Nutrition Guide . Minneapolis, MN: Chronimed Publishing; 1998.
Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc . Institute of Medicine website. Available at: http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3788.aspx .
Garrison R, Somer E. The Nutrition Desk Reference. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing; 1995.
Institute of Medicine. Dietary reference intakes: elements. Institute of Medicine website. Available at: http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Activity%20Files/Nutrition/DRIs/DRI_Elements.ashx. Accessed June 21, 2010.
Iodine. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=114. Updated February 2010. Accessed June 17, 2010.
Pennington JAT. Bowes & Church’s Food Values of Portions Commonly Used. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott-Raven Publishers; 1998
Scheinberg D. Congenital hypothyroidism. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated January 2008. Accessed July 18, 2008.
The Vitamin Foundation. Iodine deficiency. The Vitamin Foundation website. Available at: http://www.vitamincfoundation.org/iodine.htm. Accessed July 18, 2008.
Last reviewed June 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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