Iodine deficiency. Iodine is an essential micronutrient, needed for the function of every single cell in our bodies, but especially our thyroid hormones as they use iodine as the building block.
Last month, a review was published finding that the vast majority of women of reproductive age in the US (18-44 years old) are significantly deficient in iodine! One of the major ways I see this clinically is a steep increase in thyroid dysfunction among younger women.
"Iodine deficiency is not a consideration when diagnosing hypothyroidism, even though iodine is essential to produce thyroid hormones, and iodine is one of the leading causes of hypothyroidism... Therefore, we have a problem that we do not take in enough iodine because we are fearful of causing thyroid dysfunction, but because of iodine deficiency, we have an EPIDEMIC of thyroid disorders that is currently only being treated by taking an over-prescribed drug that eliminates healthy thyroid functioning. It might be simpler to... improve iodine intake from diet or supplements rather than creating a levothyroxine-dependent hypothyroid population." Link to the full article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/…/…/12011_2018_Article_1606.pdf
Our dietary intake of iodine has not only decreased over the past decades, but other toxins to the thyroid (goitrogens) have been introduced. Perchlorates, bisphenol A (BPA), oral contraceptives, amiodarone, fluoride and bromide, to name a few.
The need for higher supplemental and dietary iodine is now. However, please do NOT introduce high-dose iodine without being under the care of an iodine literate practitioner. Introducing iodine requires appropriate dosing based on blood and urine tests to ensure safety.
At North Florida Naturopathic, we work specifically with patients to safely improve iodine status and thyroid function! If you have questions as to whether this would be a good therapeutic option for you, please give us a call.