Iodine

725 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism essay

Many salt shakers read; “This salt does not supply iodine, a necessary nutrient.” This makes can make one wonder, what is iodine? What makes it a necessary nutrient?
Iodine’s main use in the body is synthesizing hormones in the thyroid gland. When the thyroid does not get enough of this necessary nutrient, it will fail to produce hormones. This is known as hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency is one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency can be caused by, obviously a lack of iodine intake, however, substances such as halogens can also reduce iodine in the body. Overcoming iodine deficiency could be as easy as eating vegetables grown in iodine rich soil, or using iodized salt. For some people, iodine supplements are needed. Hypothyroidism can be caused by many substances in the environment, or an iodine deficiency, however it can be combated by an increased intake of iodine.

The thyroid is often referred to as the most important gland in the body. This is because it produces thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonin hormones. These hormones regulate a variety of tasks including cellular activity, brain function, metabolism, immune system, and the stimulation of the heart. (Friedman) One may take all of this for granted, however it is very important to take care of the thyroid gland. To produce these vital hormones, the thyroid requires iodine. The thyroid follicular cells trap iodine (as Iodide, I- ) by absorbing it from the blood in exchange for Na+. Next, the thyroid gathers the iodine, concentrating it 30-50 times more than in the blood. The iodide is then used to synthesize T4 and T3, and these hormones are released into the bloodstream. (Nussey) Without iodine, none of this would be possible...

... middle of paper ...

...t.

Du Toit, J., and N. H. Casey. "Iodine as an Alleviator of Bromine Toxicity in Thyroid, Liver and Kidney of Broiler Chickens." Livestock Science 4.3 (2012): 269-74. Print.

Sang, Zhongna. "Exploration of the Safe Upper Level of Iodine Intake in Euthyroid Chinese Adults: A Randomized Double-blind Trial." The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2011): n. pag. Print.

"Avoid This If You Want to Keep Your Thyroid Healthy." Mercola.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.

Nussey, Stephen, and Saffron A. Whitehead. Endocrinology: An Integrated Approach. Oxford, UK: Bios, 2001. Print.

Evert, Alison. "Iodine in Diet: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Feb. 2013. Web. 09 Jan. 2014.

"Hypothyroidism (underactive Thyroid)." Mayoclinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.

Show More
Related

  • Hypothyroidism Case Study Essay

    397 Words  | 1 Pages

    Is consider an autoimmune disorder, because elevated enzyme (TPO) Thyroid Peroxidase which are thyroid follicle cells iodinates T4 and T3. TPO ends up attacking it self, resulting in inflammation which ends up damaging the thyroid gland. Primary hypothyroidism is also known Hashimoto disease. The primary hypothyroidism lead to Margie’s symptoms trouble concentrating, puffier face, and hot flashes. Considering all the things above, Margie will be treated with Levonthyroxine a thyroid replacement hormone. This thyroid replacement hormone will first be introduce with a low those, there after it will increase until she reaches normal T4 and TSH levels. The negative result of this medication is the increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Therefore Margie should eat high calcium diet with calcium and vitamin D

    Read More

  • Thyroid Gland Disorders of Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

    889 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hypothyroidism develops when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of certain hormones. (“Hypothyroidism”, n.d.). Hypothyroidism can be broken down even further. The two types of hypothyroidism are congenital hypothyroidism or acquired hypothyroidism. According to Porth 2011, “Congenital hypothyroidism develops prenatally and is present at birth. Acquired hypothyroidism develops later in life because of primary disease of the thyroid gland or secondary to disorders of hypothalamic or pituitary origin.” (p. 786). Some common symptoms include increased sensitivity to cold, dry skin, fatigue, constipation, drowsiness, hypothermia and muscle weakness (“Hypothyroidism”, n.d.).

    Read More

  • Animal Physiology Lab Report

    749 Words  | 2 Pages

    Thyroid and metabolism hormones play a large role in the daily lives of all living species. Thyroid hormones regulate the metabolism and the metabolism is responsible for maintaining a specific range for the biochemical reactions that occur in the body (Martini 2014). The most important hormone for metabolic maintenance is thyroxine (T4). This hormone also plays a large role in body heat regulation. It is produced by the pituitary gland and secreted by the thyroid gland. The thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) must trigger the thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) to release thyroid hormones to the thyroid gland. These hormones are under control of the hypothalamus, or main neural control center. Propylthiouracil (PTU) is a medication used to treat

    Read More

  • Grave’s Disease: A Lifelong Commitment

    1788 Words  | 4 Pages

    Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that was discovered by Robert Graves in 1835. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the thyroid gland and causes hyperthyroidism. Graves’ disease occurs when the antibodies like thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin and thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAbs) attack the thyroid gland as if it were a foreign object or a virus of some sort. This disease is the most common type of hyperthyroidism. Attacking the thyroid gland in such a manner makes it excessively overproduce the hormone thyroxine which controls the body’s metabolic rate. Heightened activity of the thyroid can increase the body’s metabolism by 60% to 100%. (Weeks 34-35).

    Read More

  • Addison's Disease

    711 Words  | 2 Pages

    Aldosterone is in a class of hormones called mineralocorticoids which is also produced by the adrenal glands. The main functions of aldosterone are to help to maintain blood pressure and helping the kidneys retain needed sodium and excrete unwanted potassium to maintain the balance of water and salt in the body.

    Read More

  • Thyroid Cancer Essay

    1125 Words  | 3 Pages

    Thyroid cancer is an abnormal and malignant cell growth in the thyroid gland (see figure 1). The wellbeing of a person’s thyroid gland is extremely important, as this organ secretes hormones and other chemicals that help a person maintain homeostasis, more specifically the weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and internal body temperature (Bethesda, National Cancer Institute). According to the Mayo Clinic, although it is not yet clear to researchers what exactly causes thyroid cancer, what medical scientists do know is why it occurs. One type of thyroid cancer that can be genetic is medullary thyroid cancer. This type of cancer is genetic because it is linked with a variety of risk factors that could lead up to cancer, such as gender, age, radiation exposure, hereditary conditions, and family history (“What Are the Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer?”). A major specific cause of thyroid diseases and cancers is insufficient iodine intake. Thyroid cancer is less common in the United States, than places that do not include as much iodine in the diet because in the United States, iodine is often added to many foods and consumption products. An environmental factor that is associated with thyroid cancer is exposure to radiation. One major example of this is the radiation from the Chernobyl incident; many people were affected by the radiation and many people, especially children, developed thyroid cancer (“What Are the Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer?”).

    Read More

  • Thyroid Cancer

    572 Words  | 2 Pages

    Follicular cells use iodine from your blood to make thyroid hormones that help regulate a persons’ metabolism. If you have too much of these hormones, it is called hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism symptoms include irregular or rapid heartbeat, trouble sleeping, nervousness, weight loss, and constantly feeling too warm.

    Read More

  • Essay On Hypothyroidism

    901 Words  | 2 Pages

    The balance of the thyroid hormone is complicated and involves the participation of different parts of the body (Kaplustin, 2010).

    Read More

  • Graves Disease Essay

    1099 Words  | 3 Pages

    The thyroid gland plays a major role in the endocrine, thyroxine, triiodothyronine and metabolism system. The gland can be found in the front of the neck and above where the collar bones meet. The thyroid gland controls the body by releasing T4 and T3 hormones. Controlling metabolism plays an important role when regulating mood, weight,

    Read More

  • The Causes of Hyperthyroidism

    1437 Words  | 3 Pages

    The thyroid gland is found in the front of the neck and produces two main hormones. The hormones are called thuroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). Together these hormones regulate the body’s metabolism by increasing energy use in cells, regulate growth and development, help to maintain body temperature and aid in oxygen consumption. These two hormones are regulated by hormones produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamus senses changes in body’s metabolic rate and releases a hormone known as thyropin-releasing hormone (TRH). This hormone then flows through connecting vessels to the pituitary gland which signals it to release another hormone. This hormone is known as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH then makes its way to the bloodstream until it reaches the thyroid where it is then signaled to activate T3 and T4 production [1]. This mechanism is controlled by a negative feedback loop meaning that when there is a sufficient amount of thyroid hormones in the blood stream, this will signal back to stop production of thyroid stimulating hormones. Complications occur when the thyroid hormones keep increasing even though there is already a sufficient amount of T3 and T4 in the blood stream. This process of over expression of thryroid hormones is known as hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a general term that includes any disease that has a consequence of an overabundance of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is a general term but there are many variant diseases that are in the hyperthyroidism category. These diseases include diffuse toxic goiter, Basedow’s disease, thyrotoxicosis, Parry’s and Graves’ disease.

    Read More

  • Thyroid Cancer

    2504 Words  | 6 Pages

    The thyroid is an endocrine gland located at the front of the neck, above the central trachea and below the larynx. Within the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulates the secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) from the anterior pituitary [5]. TSH then acts on thyroid gland which releases the iodine dependent hormone thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyroxine (T3) to control physiological functions such as metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature [5].

    Read More

  • Fluoride

    1187 Words  | 3 Pages

    count on an up to 40- to 50-percent reduction in the number of dental cavities

    Read More

  • Potassium

    633 Words  | 2 Pages

    If potassium is such a vital nutrient to the human body it has to be a mineral that can be found in a regular diet.

    Read More

  • Hypothyroidism Essay

    702 Words  | 2 Pages

    Among these disorders are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which one is diagnosed for having and underactive thyroid. The probability for women over the age of sixty to develop an underactive thyroid is higher than those of other individuals. If left untreated it can potentially lead to obesity, joint pain, heart disease, and other health complications. On the contrary, hyperthyroidism is a disorder in which a person is diagnosed for having an overactive thyroid. This can cause nervousness and anxiety, hyperactivity, unexplained weight loss, and swelling of the thyroid gland which causes a noticeable lump to form on throat (known as a

    Read More

  • Lithium

    1072 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 1817, an aging Swedish chemist was pouring over his work on a late afternoon in Stockholm, Sweden. He was analyzing a strange ore named Petalite that had been procured from an island off the coast of Sweden called Utö. The ore Petalite (which is now recognized to be LiAl(Si2O5)2) had been discovered by a Brazilian scientist, José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva towards the end of the 18th century on a visit to Sweden. This Swedish scientist, Johann August Arfvedson, detected traces of an unknown substance in his sample of Petalite. This was the first discovery of Lithium.

    Read More

More about Iodine

Open Document