Everyone knows the role of iodine in the metabolism of the human body. It is this element that is part of the hormones that are synthesized by a special, thyroid gland located in the neck. It has been observed that in regions poor in iodine in soil, food and water, thyroid pathologies are common. Particularly common is endemic goiter with normal or low hormone levels in the blood plasma. A similar problem is eliminated with regular use of iodine preparations or enrichment of food with products that contain iodine. Today the market for thyroid health is huge. In addition to iodine preparations, it contains other medication. How to understand the need and feasibility of their reception?
Iodine preparations for the treatment and prevention
If you look closely at the shelves of pharmacies offering iodine preparations, then the most noticeable there are “Iodomarin”, “Microiod”, “Iodine-Active” and “Jodbalans”. Due to their price-quality ratio and active promotion in the media, they took leading positions among all known iodine preparations. All of them, except for “Iodine-Active”, are based on potassium iodide, but their cost differs due to the brand and fillers, as well as the dosage of the active substance. But “Iodine-Active” is based on an organic compound – iodine-casein, and refers to biological additives, better assimilated in the body only with iodine deficiency. If iodine preparations, which are based on inorganic compounds, are applicable to both treatment and prophylaxis, it is recommended to use dietary supplements only for prophylactic purposes. It is believed that it is from an organic compound that iodine is consumed by the body without excess and does not lead to overdose.
These iodine preparations are sold freely, without a doctor’s prescription, which leads to a sad tendency. Prevention, and often the treatment of diseases from which the thyroid gland suffers, often pass without the participation of a specialist. Doubtful folk therapies complement this self-treatment, which sometimes leads to disastrous consequences – the thyroid gland itself suffers (nodes are formed) or an overdose condition develops iodine.
Are there iodine norms?
There is always a lot of talk about iodine deficiency and its importance in metabolic processes. Thyroid hormones contain three or four iodine atoms, which means that if it is not enough, their synthesis will be reduced. As a result, the thyroid gland strains, trying to accumulate as much of the element as possible, ensuring a regular supply of hormones. If the body suffers a long-term iodine deficiency, various biochemical processes in the nervous system suffer. It violates mental functions, affects behavior, leads to cognitive disorders and problems with the motor sphere. Per day, an adult needs at least 150 micrograms of iodine to fully satisfy all needs. Its main source is food and water, but if iodine consumption is not enough to replenish all the needs of the body, additional subsidies are needed at the expense of therapeutic and preventive drugs.
Prevention of thyroid problems
Iodine deficiency is not experienced only by residents of coastal regions and those who actively and in large quantities consume seafood. Most of the people in our country who rarely see the sea suffer from iodine deficiency. The soil, water, and air have few mineral components containing this trace element. Those people who cannot regularly eat seafood and use kelp should additionally take iodine in the form of food supplements, fortified foods or medicines. This is the prevention of pathologies of the thyroid gland, as well as the treatment of already formed deficient conditions.The recommended dose for prophylaxis is 100-150 mcg per day. It can be iodized salt, bakery products, milk, water.
Iodine drugs for the treatment of pathologies
Under conditions of iodine deficiency, the thyroid gland can suffer from such pathologies as hypothyroidism with decreased organ activity, as well as myxedema. In children, it has the form of cretinism, with nervous system disorders and mental retardation. One of the signs that may indicate iodine deficiency in the diet is diffuse or nodular proliferation of gland tissues. In some cases, without adequate treatment of this disease, it can lead to thyroid cancer.
In the early stage of treatment, higher doses of iodine are used – in children up to 200 mcg, in adults – up to 400 mcg. If it is a severe stage of hypothyroidism, there is a diffuse goiter, drugs can also be used. hormones – as thyroid, so sometimes also glucocorticoid. All hormones are used only on prescription and in a strictly calculated dosage. Treatment and its effectiveness is evaluated by a specialist in the elimination of symptoms and laboratory tests.
Additional funds for the prevention of iodine deficiency
In addition to the use of preparations containing only iodine, polycomponent products can also be used. This is usually vitamin-mineral supplements with the addition of iodine in a daily dose. The most popular of them used for prophylaxis are – Vitrum, AlfaVit, Multi-tabs and many others.Children’s vitamin complexes with iodine are no less popular, but they usually have age limitations, that is, they are used from 4 years. Reception of these complexes for prophylaxis is carried out for 2-4 weeks, then a break follows, after which the course is repeated. Between taking multivitamins, you can add iodine to the diet with iodized foods.
To support the work of the thyroid gland and the synthesis of hormones can some proven dietary supplements and nutritional supplements. They basically have medicinal herbs containing iodine. However, any means affecting the gland, especially if there are problems with it in relatives, should be used under the supervision of a physician. This is important because such uncontrolled prevention can threaten with an overdose of iodine. This is fraught with the formation of hypersensitivity to it, as well as the development of hyperthyroidism and toxic adenomas, autoimmune thyroiditis.