e Health Tips

In certain mountainous parts of the world, such as the Andes, the Himalayas and central Africa, there dietary iodine deficiency is prevailing always because of the position. It means these areas are far away from the sea area. One thing we should know that sea is the source of rich amount of iodine. All types of sea fish, algae, and sea vegetables are rich in iodine content. But the hilly areas are far away to get the touch of nature’s iodine resource. That’s why thyroid gland enlargement is common (more than 10% of the population) and is known as endemic goiter. Most people have normal thyroid hormone level; having normal or raised TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, which force the thyroid hormone production inside the body) levels. In general, the more severe the iodine deficiency, the greater the incidence of hypothyroidism. Iodine supplementation programmes have abolished this condition in most developed regions. The administration of iodine has complex effects on thyroid function. According to Pharmacology, excess of iodine inhibits thyroid hormone release; this is the basis for its utility in the acute treatment of thyroid storm and prior to subtotal thyroid gland removal. In addition, iodine administration can initially enhance, and subsequently inhibit, iodination of tyrosine and hence thyroid hormone synthesis. The resulting effect of iodine on thyroid function varies according to whether the patient has an iodine-deficient diet or underlying thyroid disease. In iodine-deficient parts of the world, transient thyrotoxicosis (excess of thyroid hormone) may be precipitated by prophylactic (precautionary) iodinisation programmes. In iodine-sufficient areas, thyrotoxicosis can be precipitated by radiographic contrast medium or expectorants in individuals who have underlying thyroid disease predisposing to thyrotoxicosis, such as multinodular goiter or Graves’ disease in remission. Multinodular goiter is the form of goiter usually presents between the ages of 15 and 25 years, often during pregnancy, and tends to be noticed, not by the patient, but by friends and relatives. Occasionally, there is a tight sensation in the neck, particularly when swallowing. The goiter is soft and symmetrical and the thyroid is enlarged to two or three times its normal size. There is no tenderness, lymphadenopathy (enlargement of lymph node all over the body) or overlying bruit. Induction of thyrotoxicosis by iodine is called the Jod-Basedow effect which means the induction of thyrotoxicosis in a previously normal individual as a result of exposure to large quantities of iodine through diet or any other way. Chronic excess iodine administration can, however, result in hypothyroidism. Increased iodine within the thyroid gland down-regulates iodine trapping so that uptake is low in all circumstances.