Women are more likely to have iodine deficiency than men?
Due to pregnancy, fetal development, and lactation, women expend more iodine than men. Consequently, women require more iodine than men. Recommendations are 150 µg for adults, 220 µg for pregnant women and 290 µg for lactation, between 110 and 130 µg for infants up to 12 months, 90 µg for children up to eight years, and 130 µg for children up to 13 years. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level of iodine for adults is 1,100 μg/day.
Iodine is an essential element for life. Iodine is required for the synthesis of growth-regulating thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T4 and T3 respectively). A deficiency of iodine results in reduced production of T3 and T4 and causes goitre. The major form of thyroid hormone in the blood is thyroxine (T4). T4 is converted to the active T3 within cells by the enzyme deiodinases (5'-iodinase).
The action of iodine in mammary tissue is associated with fetal and neonatal development.
Iodine deficiency leads to hypothyroidism, with symptoms such as extreme goitre, mental slowing, fatigue, depression, weight gain, etc. Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable intellectual disability due to impaired brain development, a result that occurs primarily when the babies or small children are rendered hypothyroidic by lack of iodine. The iodization of table salt (NaCl) has largely reduced this problem in wealthier countries, but iodine deficiency is still serious public health problem in the developing and underdeveloped countries.
In addition to that estrogen which is a primary hormone for females have been found to sensitize the thyroid hormone receptors. Slight alterations on circulating estrogen levels may dramatically alter thyroid hormone receptors and hence females are more prone to altered thyroidal function.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Mathematical Sciences
- Graphs