Essential Iodine

Iodine is an essential trace element and an indispensable component of important

thyroid hormones. Iodine not only acts in the thyroid gland, but also in every cell of the body.

 

During the body's production of thyroid hormones, iodide is oxidized to iodine by the iron-dependent enzyme TPO (thyroid peroxidase). This process produces toxic hydrogen peroxide, creating oxidative stress for thyroid cells. This hydrogen peroxide is neutralized by selenium-dependent proteins.

 

Selenium is also a component of an enzyme (deiodinase) involved in the conversion (deiodination) of T4 (thyroxine, an inactive thyroid storage hormone) to the metabolically active T3 (triiodothyronine). T3 is the most potent thyroid hormone and regulates the body's entire energy metabolism. Deiodinases are found not only in the thyroid gland, but also in other organs (e.g. liver, kidneys, musculature, pituitary gland, mammary gland, etc.). Even after complete removal of the thyroid gland, deiodinases in other organs can still convert T4 to T3.

 

Thyroid hormones play a central role in health and are necessary for:

 

• physical and mental development of an embryo / fetus (e.g. inner-ear deafness in children is a specific symptom of intrauterine iodine deficiency),

• temperature regulation (hypothermia and sensitivity to cold are key symptoms of hypothyroidism),

• carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism,

• performance (through the proliferation and stimulation of mitochondria, leading to increased and more efficient energy metabolism),

• steroid hormone production from cholesterol (e.g. men with hypothyroidism often have reduced testosterone levels),

• bone metabolism (e.g. promoting calcium turnover and bone growth),

• optimal functioning of the cardiovascular system (e.g. increased heart rate in hyperthyroidism) and of the digestive system (weight gain with simultaneous reduced micronutrient absorption in hypothyroidism),

• skin and hair (e.g. myxedema, which is swelling of the subcutaneous tissue due to the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans),

• brain and mental health (e.g. concentration problems, exhaustion and fatigue in hypothyroidism).

 

 Iodine-rich foods include iodized salt, seaweed, seafood, shellfish, eggs, dairy products and variety meats.

 

Absolute iodine restriction is required for patients with thyroid cancer prior to radioiodine therapy.

 

Austria is considered an iodine-deficient area where dietary iodine intake is insufficient, averaging below 100 micrograms per day. The recommended daily iodine intake is 250-300 micrograms.

 

Iodine deficiency is a leading global cause of hypothyroidism and / or goiter.