What does iodine do in the body? The use of iodine in life

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Iodine is one of the most necessary elements for the health of our body. Yes, we need other nutrients too, nutrients, vitamins and minerals. But World organization Health states that iodine deficiency is one of the most global problems on the planet. Why do we need this microelement? What does it provide for our body? How to recognize its deficiency, and how to compensate for this deficiency? Let's look into all this in more detail.

What gives?

First of all, it is needed for work thyroid gland. Despite the fact that little is said about the “thyroid gland,” it is the one that regulates the production of vital important hormones, without which the development of the organism is impossible and nerve cells, and also difficulties arise with reproductive function, fetal growth, etc. And in general, the normal functioning of our body, as well as the proper level of protective forces, is ensured by the thyroid gland. If there is not enough iodine for the thyroid gland, metabolism, tissue regeneration, the condition of the skin, hair and nails are disrupted, and protective forces body, colds and infectious diseases occur more often.

What is the norm?

With a normal level of iodine in the body, there will be approximately 600-650 mcg of iodine in the entire blood volume. But this amount is constantly consumed: daily the thyroid gland draws 70-75 mcg from there for normal operation. This means that iodine must be supplied to the body daily.

Daily consumption rate useful microelement externally is considered to be approximately 150 mcg for an adult over 15 years of age. If this is a newborn, 50 mcg will be enough for his body; for children from 3 to 12-13 years old - approximately 90-120 mcg. Nursing mothers and pregnant women, as well as those planning a pregnancy, need about 200 mcg.

In case of severe deficiency of this microelement, the thyroid gland is capable of independently synthesizing about 8000 mcg for its own work - this is the iodine reserve located inside it. But this reserve is practically untouchable; it is used only in emergency situations.

How to recognize a deficiency?

There are usually some difficulties in diagnosing iodine deficiency in an individual person. A blood test does not provide a result that can be used to determine its deficiency. In urine and other liquids, indicators will constantly change. Therefore, iodine deficiency is determined for a specific region by studying people in groups and identifying a pattern. It is believed that iodine deficiency occurs en masse in people in regions remote from the sea. WHO states that 30% of the world's population is susceptible to iodine deficiency and its consequences, and another third of this number already shows signs of iodine deficiency.

The lack of this beneficial microelement causes an enlargement of the thyroid gland, which tries to increase the size and number of its cells in order to store more iodine. Magnification is measured in degrees. For example, the first degree of enlargement (usually doctors diagnose it as “Goitre 1st degree”) is characterized by the presence of nodes, and the second degree is characterized by visual visibility of the thyroid gland large sizes. In parallel with this, memory and attention impairments, decreased intelligence, impairment reproductive function, problems with pregnancy and fetal development. And the function of the thyroid gland itself may be impaired, which leads to improper production of hormones, slow metabolism, obesity, diabetes mellitus and so on.

Prevention of deficiency?

As we said above, iodine deficiency is observed in those regions that are far from the sea. In coastal areas, iodine is already in the air itself - from the proximity of the sea. In addition, the diet always contains sea fish and seafood. If you have been diagnosed with a deficiency of this vital important microelement, be sure to eat these foods: both seafood and river fish, oysters, shrimp, squid, mussels, seaweed (kelp) and other algae.

Iodized salt is also a good help. Please note that the iodine in it is destroyed after 6 months (if “iodide” is indicated on the package) or after 2 years (if “iodate” is indicated). After this period, salt can be consumed as usual, but iodine will no longer enter your body. Therefore, you need to monitor the expiration dates of iodized salt, and also add it to a ready-made dish, and not during cooking, so that the microelement is not destroyed by heat.

Additionally, you can take a course medications containing iodine. Usually they are taken as a course, after which a break is taken. Prevention can be repeated again after six months or as indicated in the instructions.

To answer the question, why do we need iodine, it is enough to tell us what consequences await us if we lack it. I would like to immediately draw your attention to the fact that more than 35% of the total population of the Earth constantly experiences a lack of iodine (iodine deficiency). And almost all of them don’t even suspect it.

Read in this article:

Why do we need iodine?

Iodine is necessary for a person from the first minutes of his intrauterine life. If a pregnant woman lacks iodine, there is a risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. The risk of intrauterine malformations of the fetus increases, such as: dementia, cretinism, dwarfism, deaf-muteness, neonatal goiter.

For children and adolescents, the lack of this element threatens endemic goiter, mental retardation and physical development, problems of normal sexual development, hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, acne, lack of menstruation in girls, the appearance of male pattern hair.

In adults, the following disorders occur due to iodine deficiency: goiter, deterioration of mental activity, infertility in both men and women, as well as the onset of early menopause.

Hypothyroidism is a severe consequence of iodine deficiency

Separately, I would like to say about such a disease as hypothyroidism. Everyone is susceptible to it age groups. Hypothyroidism occurs when there is a persistent and prolonged lack of iodine in the body. Poorly diagnosed because symptoms early stage development is often confused with other diseases. But you should pay close attention to the presence of such symptoms.

Unreasonable appearance of a state of chilliness.
Constant feeling of fatigue and apathy.
Headache, muscle and joint pain of unknown nature.
The appearance of periodic numbness of the limbs.
Swelling of the face and body. Dry hair.
Forgetfulness.

At severe forms Hypothyroidism can cause decreased hearing and vision, disturbances in the functioning of the heart, increased cholesterol levels, atherosclerosis, and infertility.

How to determine your iodine need

First you need to determine how much the body needs this microelement, and whether there is a deficiency problem. There is a very simple way. Before going to bed, you need to apply three iodine strips to the skin of your forearm.

Thin, more saturated and the thickest and most saturated in color. And in the morning evaluate the result.

If only a thin strip has disappeared from the skin, it means that the level of iodine in the body is within normal limits.
If the first thin strip and the thicker one have disappeared, then the body is deficient in iodine.
If all three stripes have disappeared, you should sound the alarm. You are experiencing severe iodine deficiency.

Lack of iodine in the body occurs due to low content of this element in the food consumed, pregnancy, the presence bad habits, such as smoking and drinking alcohol, taking oral contraceptives.

How to restore iodine balance in the body

To compensate for the lack of iodine, you can resort to taking special supplements and medications, but do not forget that there is still a large selection of iodine-rich foods that you need to add to your menu.

Products containing iodine

First of all, the simplest and affordable product- is iodized or sea salt. It is necessary to use this kind of salt when preparing dishes. But you need to remember that iodine evaporates during heat treatment, so it is better to salt dishes already in finished form. This will significantly increase the amount of iodine you consume per day.

Fish rich in iodine will also help: hake, pollock, cod, perch, capelin, catfish, pink salmon, catfish and flounder. Useful in this regard. Here everyone will find an option to suit their taste and budget.

Also to products with high level iodine content include: , persimmon, feijoa, seaweed, squid and shrimp.

Cheese, cottage cheese and milk are also not the last on this list.

What are the dangers of excess iodine in the body?

Everything needs a norm. Don't forget about this. Iodine deficiency leads to serious diseases, but its excess can also be harmful. It is impossible to get an overdose of iodine when consuming it along with food; small excesses are excreted in the urine. But uncontrollably taking medications and supplements containing iodine large quantities, it is forbidden.

Symptoms of iodine overdose: headaches, pustular rashes, nausea, vomiting, swelling, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, fever, upset stomach, sudden weight loss. If such symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor and stop taking the medications.

This tool will be discussed below. We will also tell you about what types of the mentioned drug exist, for what purposes they are used, and so on.

Iodine solution: instructions for use

Iodine has antimicrobial properties. This drug is characterized by a pronounced local irritant effect. At high concentrations it has a cauterizing effect.

The local use of iodine is due to its ability to precipitate tissue proteins. In case of deficiency, the synthesis of thyroid hormones is disrupted. In atherosclerosis, they cause a slight decrease in the concentration of beta-lipoproteins and cholesterol in the blood.

What other properties does elemental iodine have? The instructions for use indicate that this drug can increase the lipoproteinase and fibrinolytic activity of blood serum, as well as slow down the rate of its coagulation.

Methods of application

How should iodine be used? Instructions for use state that alcohol solution very often treat damaged areas skin.

For oral administration, the dosage of this drug is determined individually, depending on the patient’s age and indications.

Locally, this drug is used to wash supratonsillar spaces and lacunae. The procedures are carried out 4-5 times at intervals of 2-3 days.

To irrigate the nasopharynx, iodine solution is prescribed 2-3 times a week for 3 months.

This product is used for rinsing and instillation into the ear for 2-4 weeks. For burns and in surgical practice, gauze napkins are moistened with iodine and applied to the affected surface.

"Iodine-active": instructions for use

Reviews from experts say that iodine in the composition of the drug “Iodine-Active” is well absorbed when there is a deficiency of this element in the body, and when there is an excess, it is eliminated quite quickly, bypassing the thyroid gland. This effect is due to the fact that iodine is able to split off from milk protein under the influence of liver enzymes produced during its deficiency. When there is too much iodine in the human body, enzymes are not produced. Thus, “Iodine-active”, instructions for use of which are presented below, is excreted without being absorbed into the blood.

Composition, form, indications, contraindications

"Iodine-active" goes on sale in the form of tablets. It contains low fat powdered milk, lactose monohydrate and iodocasein.

This drug is prescribed for iodine deficiency, as well as to reduce the risk of developing diseases that are associated with a deficiency of this element. "Iodine-active" should not be taken if individual intolerance its components.

Dosage

In what dosage is Iodine-Active prescribed? The instructions for use indicate that this drug should be taken by adults and adolescents over 14 years of age, 1-2 tablets with meals (once a day).

Antiseptic drug "Povidone-iodine"

What components does Povidone-iodine contain? The instructions for use state that it active substance is povidone-iodine. Glycerin, novoksinol, citric acid, sodium hydroxide, disodium hydrogen phosphate 12-hydrate, demineralized water and macragol.

This product is available in the form of a 10% or 7.5% solution for external use with the formation of foam, as well as in the form of suppositories, ointments and concentrates for preparing solutions.

Indications for use

The indications of the drug "Povidone-iodine" depend on the form of its release. It is used for burns, infectious wounds, abrasions, bedsores, dermatitis, trophic ulcers, bad breath, fungal skin lesions, gynecological practice etc. This medication is also used as a disinfectant.

Methods of application

How should I use Povidone-iodine? Instructions for use state that this drug intended for washing and lubricating infected areas of mucous membranes and skin. If required, use gauze bandages, soaked in

If the medication is intended for drainage systems, it must be diluted with water.

Povidone-iodine suppositories are used deeply, intravaginally. The dosage, regimen and duration of use are determined only by a doctor.

The drug "Potassium iodide"

In what form is it produced? The instructions for use state that manufacturers produce this product in the form of tablets, drops and solution. This medication used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and the development of endemic goiter. It is also often prescribed in preparation for surgical interventions in patients with severe thyrotoxicosis.

Potassium iodine is used to prevent diseases of the thyroid gland affected by radiation. As aid it is used in the treatment of syphilis.

Drug dosage

The drug "Potassium iodide" is taken orally in the form of tablets and solutions. The medication should be taken with sweet tea, milk or jelly to prevent irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Patients with endemic goiter are prescribed 0.04 g of the drug once a week. At diffuse goiter the medication is also used in an amount of 0.04 g, but three times a day. After this, the dosage is changed: 0.125 g twice a day. The duration of treatment for such diseases is 20 days.

To thin sputum, doctors prescribe a 1-3% solution of potassium iodide. In this case, the drug should be taken 3 large spoons three times a day.

Iodine monochloride

How does iodine monochloride work? The instructions for use indicate that it is antiseptic drug, which has antimicrobial effect against a variety of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including mycobacterium tuberculosis, fungi and viruses. It is also highly effective against eggs of a number of helminths, spores anaerobic bacteria and coccidia oocysts.

Vapors of undiluted drug cause quite severe irritation mucous membranes respiratory tract, clouding of the cornea and conjunctivitis. With prolonged exposure to the skin, iodine monochloride causes ulceration and burns.

What is it used for?

Iodine monochloride is used for:

aerosol treatment of air in poultry and livestock buildings;
forced and preventive disinfection surfaces of poultry and livestock buildings, as well as technological equipment located in them, auxiliary facilities and equipment;
treatment of animals that have been affected by ringworm;
processing the udder of cows.

Application

How to use The instructions for use state that disinfection with this product is carried out by fine-droplet irrigation using spray equipment.

To treat animals that are sick with ringworm, the affected areas of the skin are treated with 10% aqueous solution. The drug is applied in small portions using a cotton-gauze swab or brush, and then rubbed in thoroughly. It is advisable to carry out this procedure outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

For treatment (antiseptic) after milking, use a 0.5% solution of iodine monochloride, which is applied by spray.

Blue iodine

Besides antiseptic action, blue iodine has irritating as well as some poisonous effects.

There are quite a few areas where this type of drug is used.

Blue iodine solution is used to combat diseases such as:

dysentery, respiratory inflammation, acne, alcohol intoxication, colitis, hepatitis;
flatulence, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, bronchitis, hemorrhoids, ulcers and wounds on the skin, tuberculosis, various burns;
periodontal disease, food poisoning, dysbacteriosis, deterioration of the pancreas, chlamydia, intestinal or stomach ulcers;
salmonellosis, increased excitability, trichomoniasis, ulcerative erosions in the mouth, iodine deficiency, decreased intellectual activity, fungal infections;
gynecological diseases, hormonal imbalance, alveolitis, immune pathologies, stomatitis;
vascular atherosclerosis, dendritic and discal keratitis, pustular skin lesions, tonsillitis, mastitis.

Usage

How is blue iodine used? Instructions for use indicate that as prophylactic You need to drink it in 4 dessert spoons, after adding it to 200 ml of ordinary water. This procedure It is enough to perform twice a day for 3 months.

If necessary, the dose of the drug can be increased.

In order to improve taste qualities the product may be mixed with non-acidic natural juices or warm green tea.

Contraindications to the use of blue iodine

Do not use this additive in the following cases:

when taking thyroxine;
with hypotension or using drugs that lower blood pressure;
with full or partial removal thyroid tissue;
the beginning of the menstrual cycle;
thrombophlebitis;
oncological diseases;
autoimmune disorders.

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It is known that in addition to proteins, fats and carbohydrates, the body contains water as a universal solvent that creates an environment for the flow of chemical reactions, which are often biological catalysts, as well as trace elements. These include, for example, copper, zinc, selenium.

But one of them is special, since the degree of our activity and the level of the main, or basal metabolism. It's about about iodine. What is this element and what is its role in our body?

Iodine - what is this element?

Iodine belongs to the group of halogens. Translated from Greek, it means “giving birth to salt.” All halogens are bright nonmetals, and are their antipodes. In order of decreasing reaction properties and in order of increasing mass, their list is as follows: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, astatine. The first two representatives are active gases, bromine is already a heavy liquid, and iodine is amazingly beautiful, dark purple crystals.

An amazing property of iodine is sublimation, that is, the ability to pass from a solid to a gaseous state, bypassing the liquid. Left to their own devices, iodine crystals simply shrink in size until they disappear.

Iodine was obtained a year before Napoleon's war with Russian Empire. This at all suggests that it is relatively widespread in nature (after all, at that time there was no precise methods studies, such as spectroscopy). The prevalence of iodine in nature around the globe is about half a gram per ton of substance. But algae are able to accumulate it and obtain a concentration “five times stronger,” that is, 2-3 grams per ton.

The discovery was led to an interesting purple vapors that were formed after the reaction of ash obtained from algae in a mixture with concentrated sulfuric acid. As a result, an element was discovered that was called iodine, or, translated from Greek, “like a violet.”

Therefore, we can immediately conclude that the source of iodine is seafood: seaweed, fish, crustaceans. What is the role of iodine in our body?

Why does a person need iodine?

The main consumer of iodine is the thyroid gland. It contains the overwhelming amount of iodine, and certainly not less than half of the total amount. The entire human body contains no more than 30-40 mcg of iodine. Thyroid must capture and deliver from 60 to 150 mcg of iodine during the day for the production of hormones.

This may happen in different ways- thus, residents in the interior of the continent receive iodine with food, and those living in sea areas, for example, in the Black Sea region, can, in a day, inhaling sea and salty air, receive up to 100 mcg of this valuable element through the lungs.

Why does a person need iodine? It is iodine that is needed for the production of thyroid hormones, and they, in turn, lead to the following effects:

Regulate basal metabolism and the consumption of all energy compounds;
Control the rate of cellular respiration;
They set the body temperature (more precisely, they move the set point). It is necessary to distinguish between high temperature, which develops due to increased metabolism, from high temperature which occurs during infections. In the first case, we are dealing with hyperthermia, and in the second, with fever;
Keeps the rate of metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in balance;
They regulate the rate of growth of the body and its neuropsychic development.

Iodine is one of the few microelements that affects all processes in the body, and its lack, as well as its excess, can lead to the development serious illnesses, endocrine disorders, and even - to fatal outcome(coma with myxedema and thyrotoxic crisis).

Let us briefly consider some of the signs of iodine metabolism disorder. What symptoms suggest chronic or acute iodine deficiency?

Symptoms of iodine deficiency in the body, consequences

Lack of iodine in the body can cause various symptoms— we will not dwell on cretinism, or congenital iodine deficiency in endemic areas, which occurred in the past. Entire family cases have been described in which the main symptoms were dwarfism and mental retardation.

Now, with the widespread use of iodized salt, this pathology has practically disappeared. But the bad word “cretin” remained and firmly entered the lexicon. Now you know that the chance of seeing a real nerd in your lifetime is extremely small.

But there is an acquired iodine deficiency. The most acute symptoms of iodine deficiency in the body are felt by women. It must be said that in general, it is women who are susceptible endocrine diseases more often than men. After all, women have a very complex “endocrine life”.

It is associated with ovarian - menstrual cycle, pregnancy, childbirth and lactation. And iodine almost completely “manages” the work of the thyroid gland. Therefore, the lack of iodine in a woman’s body is especially noticeable, and leads to greater disorders than with its deficiency in men.

If an organism with an average weight of 70 kg receives less than 10 mcg of iodine per day, then they speak of iodine deficiency. What signs indicate iodine deficiency? This condition is called, or reduced function thyroid gland. If there is little iodine, then it is not possible to produce the hormones T3 and T4 in the required quantities.

As a result, the basal metabolism drops, and in severe cases, myxedema occurs. Manifestations of hypothyroidism induced by iodine deficiency include:

Decreased body temperature;
Swelling;
Constant chilliness and drowsiness;
Constipation;
The appearance of swelling;
Violations in women from hormonal cycle(dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, uterine bleeding). Libido almost always decreases, and men experience erectile dysfunction;
Appears daytime sleepiness and insomnia at night, memory and attention problems occur;
Appear vegetatively - trophic changes(for example, nail splitting).

If these symptoms appear, you need to take tests for thyroid hormones, and if it turns out that hypothyroidism has occurred, you need to, on the advice of an endocrinologist, start taking thyroid hormones, along with iodine preparations. Hormones will initially perform a replacement function and reduce, and iodine preparations (they will be discussed later) will eliminate the deficiency of this element.

In addition, diffuse euthyroid goiter develops in adults. Euthyroid - means that goiter occurs against the background normal level hormones. And this indicates hypertrophy of the gland, which seeks to compensate for the lack of iodine by “increasing capacity” for its extraction from the blood.

How to compensate for iodine deficiency in the body?

In order to replenish iodine in the human body, it is not at all necessary to run to the pharmacy. To do this, it is quite possible to turn your attention to food products. Sources of iodine, which is easily digestible, organic form, there are a lot of products. We list some of them that will help replenish iodine deficiency with regular consumption of these products:

Sea kale in a variety of forms;
Fish (herring, cod, sardines, halibut, haddock, catfish);
Liver, milk, egg dishes;
There is a lot of iodine in ordinary white cabbage, in sorrel and onions, if the soil is fertilized with iodine fertilizers;
Don't forget about iodized salt, which, when consumed regularly, can completely solve the problem of moderate iodine deficiency. Just two grams of this salt per day can saturate the body with iodine to acceptable amounts necessary for satisfactory functioning of the thyroid gland.

This salt can completely solve the problem of even moderate iodine deficiency. The only inconvenience is that this salt cannot be used for homemade preparations, for example, for sauerkraut. It makes the cabbage soft, non-crispy and dark. For preparations you should use rock salt.

Iodine preparations should only be taken by those groups of patients who are at risk.

These include pregnant women, nursing mothers and babies with iodine deficiency. The rest of the healthy population groups can do without special drugs, using iodine that comes from food.

Symptoms of excess iodine and their consequences

But sometimes, although much less often than a deficiency, an excess of iodine occurs. Maximum daily dose is 300 mcg. After this, signs of excess iodine in the body occur, and even iodine poisoning.

This may occur among those who like to drip iodine tincture and drink its solution.

There are people, especially illiterate ones, who believe that this the only way compensate for iodine deficiency. But this is inorganic iodine, which acts very harshly and can do more harm than good.

In addition, ignorant medical articles often appear on the RuNet in which micrograms (mcg, or 0.000001 g), in which iodine load is measured, are confused with milligrams (mg, or 0.001 g). As a result, all numbers increase 1000 times.

Let's give a simple calculation. Standard 5% iodine alcohol tincture approximately contains 10 drops in one milliliter. If you take 1 ml per 1 gram, then one drop contains 0.1 g of tincture, or 100 milligrams. If the iodine concentration is 5%, then each drop contains 5 mg of iodine. However, the maximum daily dose is 300 mcg.

This means that one drop is enough for (5:0.3) = 16 days, with the maximum iodine load at the absorption limit.

If we take normal absorption figures (150 mcg), then one drop of ordinary tincture is enough for whole month, even under conditions of complete iodine deficiency.

But, unfortunately, it doesn’t occur to anyone that you only need to dilute one drop of iodine tincture in 3 ml of water, and use only one drop every day for a month. It simply doesn’t occur to people that they need so little iodine. Therefore, in villages, where sanitary standards are extremely poor and there is no money for drugs, people drip a few drops a day of iodine tincture, and then they are surprised sharp deterioration health.

What are the signs of an iodine overdose? Symptoms of excess iodine in the body include such manifestations as:

Signs of hyperthyroidism appear: bulging eyes appear, goiter and severe tachycardia appear;
Body temperature rises, exhaustion occurs;
Diarrhea and skin pigmentation appear.

They are described in detail in the relevant articles. In case of a sudden overdose, it also appears muscle weakness, skin dystrophy, abdominal pain, vomiting. If a person consumes about 2 grams of iodine (the maximum daily dose for 16 years), then death is possible.

But we hope it doesn't come to that. After all, there are ways to check the amount of iodine in the body - how to do this?

How to check the amount of iodine in the body?

One of the simple and widespread methods that are suitable for identifying iodine deficiency conditions in the population, or in organized groups, is the study of the concentration of iodine excreted in the urine. If more than 100 mcg per liter is released, then there are no signs of iodine deficiency. Everything below indicates its presence. At the same time, a moderate deficiency is from 20 mcg, and a severe deficiency is less than 20 mcg/l.

This analysis, with the construction of the iodine median in daily urine, should be used very first, since it accurately shows how much iodine is in the human body.

In addition, there is a method for determining the concentration of iodine in human hair and nails. This method can also be used in forensics, especially if you take into account the growth rate of hair and nails.

Some sites claim that you can find out the amount of iodine in the body using a blood test for thyroid hormones. The logic of the argument is that if there is a lot of iodine, then there will be a lot of hormones, and vice versa. But it is not always the case. For example, with iodine deficiency euthyroid goiter, the level of gland hormones is normal (euthyroid state), but there is very little iodine in the blood and the gland increases.

There are also quite exotic ones, occult ways determinations of iodine in the body, which simply border on obscurantism. Here's one of them. For example, if you apply an iodine mesh to your body in the evening, but in the morning it is no longer visible, or it has become very pale, then this means that “there is not enough iodine, since it has all been absorbed.” There is nothing to say about the diagnostic “value” of such methods. It’s just a pity that there are naive and gullible people who, after such a “diagnosis”, begin to poison their body with iodine tincture.

But we hope that after reading this article you have an idea of the importance of iodine, the dangers of overdosing it, and the “ultramicroscopic” amounts in which the body needs it.