One of the serious problems associated with the thyroid gland and its functions is the disruption of the synthesis of hormones and the full function of the body due to a pronounced iodine deficiency in food and water. If the food contains a very small amount of this mineral, it is not enough to provide all the needs of the body, it does not form an adequate supply in the tissues of the gland, hormones are synthesized in the required amount only until the reserves are exhausted. At first, iron works with tension, forming an endemic goiter, but as the amount of iodine decreases, a subclinical and then pronounced hypothyroidism (reduced organ function).
What is dangerous iodine deficiency?
One of the most frequent and obvious reasons for reducing the functional activity of the thyroid gland is iodine deficiency. This is due to the fact that iodine is a structural element of its hormones, and without the full supply of this mineral into the body, it is impossible to synthesize a sufficient amount of thyroxin and triiodothyronine, which have the main activity in the human body. The main sources of iodine for the body are food and drink, respectively, the depletion of soil and water by this mineral, which is typical for most areas of our country (with the exception of the coastal zone), does not give it full and uninterrupted supply to the body. Most plant and animal products in these regions contain little iodine, and if they are not artificially enriched with food, iodine deficiency gradually forms.
The thyroid gland in such conditions begins to increase its functional activity, increasing in size and forming a goiter. This is a kind of compensatory reaction, due to the growth to strengthen the synthesis of hormones in which the body is in urgent need. But if iodine does not come from food, gradually its reserves are consumed, and the state flows first from subclinical, weakly expressed, and then to clinically significant hypothyroidism.
Changes in the thyroid gland with iodine deficiency
Against the background of iodine deficiency, the growth of thyroid tissue occurs – an endemic goiter is formed. Approximately 20-40% of the inhabitants of our country (depending on the region) suffer from endemic goiter, which has a weak degree of severity – first or second, with a slight increase in the volume of the thyroid gland. And only in 3-5% of patients the thyroid gland expands against the background of this problem to the third or even fourth degree. Let us give an example so that the mechanism of formation of iodine deficiency is understandable – with an iodine intake rate in an adult’s body of 150–200 mcg, residents of St. Petersburg receive on average 40 mcg, and Moscow receive about 50–60 mcg, which is no more than one third of the norm per day . Of course, thyroid It has sufficient reserves of iodine, and they are actively consumed, but they are not limitless, and sooner or later, without additional subsidies for this mineral, its deficiency occurs.
The exchange of hormones in the presence of euthyroid goiter
In order to provide a more or less complete body work under conditions of iodine deficiency, a diffuse (without knots) growth of thyroid tissue occurs. It is formed compensatory to produce thyroid hormones in an enhanced mode due to the increased volume . When the body is deficient in hormones, impulses are sent to the brain, due to which the pituitary activates the synthesis of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), the tissues begin to increase, the volume becomes visually larger. This allows for a certain period to maintain thyroid hormones at a physiological level, therefore, the condition is called euthyroid goiter (that is, with normal function).
A similar condition, when the load on the thyroid gland increases and it grows, possibly under other conditions not associated with iodine deficiency. This happens in the period of puberty, when the hormones of this gland are needed for active growth and formation of sexual functions, as well as during pregnancy, and then in women in menopause. In some cases, drugs that inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones can lead to the formation of goiter – antidiabetic agents, lithium preparations, acetylsalicylic acid and some others.
What ultimately leads to: hypothyroidism
The compensatory possibilities possessed by the thyroid gland are not limitless, and the constant lack of iodine, if it is not eliminated and the goiter is not treated, eventually threatens with the formation of hypothyroidism. This is a state of acute hormone deficiency, initially developing subclinically, with no obvious symptoms or with subtle manifestations. Hypothyroidism manifests itself by inhibition of metabolic processes, which leads to constant chilliness, weight gain with unchanged diet style, constant weakness and lethargy, and indisposition. Skin and hair, sexual functions and the nervous system, general working capacity, thought processes and memory suffer. Hypothyroidism in many cases is no longer eliminated by taking iodine alone, irreversible processes are possible in the tissues of the gland, due to which only hormone preparations prescribed for therapeutic purposes can restore a full-fledged exchange.
Elimination of iodine deficiency in the diet
To prevent iodine deficiency and normalize the condition, it is important to pay attention to nutrition and its enrichment with this mineral when living in endemic regions. Today, the problem of iodine security is concerned with many states that assess the social and material damage of this problem. Therefore, many countries are taking measures to enrich food with iodine (salt, bread, sugar and other products). The use of iodized salt in the diet as the simplest and most accessible source of iodine is actively recommended. In addition, iodine is also added to products of social importance – bakery products, drinking water, baby food (feed and mixtures). This allows at least partially reduce the severity of the problem.