Calcium

 Iodine

Type: Metal

Iodine is a type of mineral that is important to obtain in sufficient quantities in the diet of its importance in hormone regulation, fetal development and more.

Cases requiring vitamin/metal addition

You may need iodine supplements to help reduce your risk of iodine deficiency or as a treatment for certain medical conditions such as thyroid inactivity or hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of deficiency

Symptoms of low iodine levels are detected mainly through thyroid symptoms. The most prominent of these are:

• Visible thyroid enlargement.
• Thyroid pain when touched.
• Breathing difficulties.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• General fatigue.
• Feel very cold despite normal temperatures.
• Hair loss.
• Gloom.
• Unexplained weight gain.

Symptoms and risks in case of overdose

Possible side effects of an increase in iodine dose from the recommended dose include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Burning in the throat and mouth.
• Stomach pains.
• In more severe cases, iodine toxicity may lead to coma.

You should not take iodine if you suffer from a thyroid condition unless your doctor recommends it as it is worth noting that young children and the elderly are more likely to have side effects of iodine.

Pharmaceuticals

Iodine additives can be obtained without prescriptions, as tablets containing iodine only or as part of the combination of vitamin and mineral preparations.

Thyroid inhibitor drugs and thyroid repellents used to treat cough and contain iodine can be obtained by prescription only.

Sources

Dietary sources of iodine include the following:

• Seafood is the best source of iodine.
• Bread.
• Milk products.
• Food salt containing iodine is a good source.
• Iodine also enters our bodies by breathing air in areas adjacent to the sea or from vapors emitted from the auto exhaust system.

Iodine deficiency can be treated with a dose of 150 mg of iodine per day and often by iodine-containing food salt.

Recommended daily dosage

Men

110-150

Women

110-150

Pregnant

220

Types of foods containing vitamin/metal

• Fish
• Milk