Is iodine good for thyroid problems?
Iodine is a chemical that the human body needs but does not produce. One way to get iodine into the body is through diet, although most of our foods generally contain miniscule concentrations of the substance.
A deficiency of iodine leads to goiter
The thyroid gland requires iodine to produce hormones. When it does not have sufficient iodine, it cannot synthesize these hormones and hence must work harder, thereby causing a condition called goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland). An iodine deficiency is a serious condition since the body has fewer thyroid hormones. During pregnancy, a lack ofiodine is bad for the mother as well as her unborn baby. Itcan lead to a high blood pressure in the mother as well as cause your baby to come out mentally-challenged.
Iodine can cure iodine deficiency
All over the world, people suffer from an iodine deficiency. To cure the ailment, you need to consume the nutrientregularly. More particularly, doing this would also treat goiter as well as other disorders related to the thyroid, such as overactive thyroid glands and Grave’s disease.
Radioactive iodine (i-131)
Radioactive iodine or I-131 is used in the treatment of various thyroid disorders. The end result is both a reduction in the production of thyroxine produced by the thyroid glands as well as a shrinkage in the gland's size. Radioactive iodine is therefore safe to use.
However, radioactive iodine is not recommended when it comes to addressing thyroid problems among pregnant or breastfeeding women and anyone who suffers from regular vomiting or incontinence.
Also, if you have active thyroid eye disease, you must not consume iodine unless it is accompanied by steroids.
Lugol’s Solution can be used for the treatment of thyroid problems
Lugol’s Solution is often taken to treat thyroid problems. It contains both iodine as well as potassium iodide and can be used along with antithyroid medications to prepare the thyroid for surgical removal.
It is also taken to help treat particular types of overactive thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism and thyroid storm. Lugol’s Solution is quite effective as it shrinks the size of your thyroid gland by decreasing the number of thyroid hormones produced by the body.
Lugol’s Solution even protects the thyroid gland among those who make use of radioactive iodine treatment. It works by ensuring that the organ does not absorb radioactive iodine. Secondly, it also minimizes the risk of thyroid cancer.