HEALTHY THYROIDS AND IODINE
You can’t have one without the other
SPECIAL REPORT
By Dr. Justine Butler, Senior Health Researcher, Viva!Health
Thyroid disorders affect one in 20 people in the UK. We need iodine to make thyroid hormones and while deficiency is rare, vegetarian and vegan diets have been blamed by some for the few cases seen. Should we be worried about lack of iodine and, if so, what are the best sources?
The thyroid is a small gland in the front of the neck that produces hormones which regulate heart rate, body temperature and help control how fast we use food energy. An overactive or underactive thyroid can lead to serious health problems, especially if left untreated.
OVERACTIVE THYROID
An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is where too much thyroid hormone is produced. It can cause hyperactivity, increased appetite, weight loss or weight gain, irregular heart beat and osteoporosis. About two in 100 women and two in 1,000 men in the UK develop an overactive thyroid at some stage of their lives. It typically occurs in people aged 20-40 years old.
SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE:
• Nervousness, anxiety and irritability
• Mood swings
• Difficulty sleeping
• Persistent tiredness and weakness
• Sensitivity to heat