Iodine is an essential trace mineral that our bodies need to synthesize thyroid hormones.

These hormones help control our metabolism and are critical for brain development during pregnancy and infancy, making iodine especially important for women of reproductive age.

Despite being a relatively small country, the UK is known to have a relatively low intake of iodine. According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 430 million people worldwide are affected by iodine deficiency.

This lack of iodine can have a significant impact on women’s reproductive health, possibly leading to infertility, miscarriage, and other adverse outcomes.

What is Iodine Deficiency?

Iodine deficiency is a global health problem that occurs when a person lacks enough iodine to produce adequate levels of thyroid hormones.

It affects both adults and children but can have severe long term consequences if left untreated, particularly affecting women of reproductive age.

In developed countries such as the UK, iodine deficiency is a result of poor dietary habits. Common food sources of iodine include dairy products and seafood.

However, a significant decline in iodine content in soil, water, and crops due to changes in farming practices has resulted in a reduction of iodine intake in diets. The salt used by most households in the UK has not been fortified with iodine. Although many countries have been fortifying salt with iodine since the early 1900s, the UK has yet to fortify salt with iodine.

The Impact of Iodine Deficiency on Women

Iodine deficiency can have severe and long-lasting impacts on women’s reproductive health.

When pregnant women have insufficient iodine intake, their babies can develop congenital hypothyroidism, a severe and irreversible condition that impairs brain development. Infants with this condition may experience intellectual disabilities as well as growth and developmental problems.

Iodine deficiency can also lead to menstrual cycle irregularities, which can lead to infertility. Women with iodine deficiency are more likely to experience miscarriage or stillbirth.

Pregnant women without sufficient supplies of iodine are more likely to face problems such as preterm delivery, preeclampsia, and eclampsia (seizures). They may also have increased difficulty breastfeeding.

How Can Women Ensure They Have Adequate Iodine Levels?

One of the easiest ways for women to ensure that they have adequate iodine levels is by incorporating iodine-rich foods into their diets.

The recommended daily iodine intake varies depending on age, but typically ranges from 90 to 150 micrograms per day. As previously mentioned, seafood is an excellent source of iodine, but some of the other excellent food sources that contain iodine include seaweed, eggs, dairy products, and fortified foods such as milk, bread, and breakfast cereals.

Women should discuss iodine supplementation with their physicians if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding or living in an area where iodine intake is known to be low.

Supplementation is particularly important since the body’s iodine needs tend to increase during pregnancy to support fetal growth and development.

Preventing Iodine Deficiency in Developing Countries

As previously mentioned, developed countries are not the only ones affected by iodine deficiency. It is a global issue affecting millions of people in developing countries. The good news is that iodine deficiency can be easily prevented in such settings.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have set out five strategies to prevent iodine deficiency:.

Universal salt iodization
Iodine supplementation
Food fortification
Dietary diversification
Salt iodization without iron fortification

In summary, iodine deficiency is a silent threat to women’s reproductive health. It can lead to severe long term impacts that can be prevented with adequate measures.

Incorporating iodine-rich foods in your diet, especially during pregnancy, and discussing iodine supplementation should be a priority for women of reproductive age.

Final Thoughts

Iodine deficiency is a vast global health problem that affects women’s reproductive and overall health. It is not limited to developing countries, and despite being a relatively small country, the UK is known to have a low intake of iodine.

Understanding the importance of iodine intake and knowing how to ensure adequate quantities are essential for all women to discuss with their physicians. Women need to make such measures a priority to ensure they lead healthy and fulfilling lives.