Iodine is one of the essential nutrients, just like vitamin C and other nutrients. The human body needs iodine to meet its daily needs, and this need increases especially in pregnant women, where iodine becomes as important as other nutrients. Although many people do not pay enough attention to talking about essential vitamins and minerals during pregnancy, this stage is considered vital in every woman's life. Therefore, we will  Dalili Medical, of iodine during pregnancy in the following article.

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Iodine is an essential element for the production of thyroid hormones. Our bodies cannot produce it naturally, so we must get it through our food system. If the level of iodine in the body is insufficient, the functioning of the thyroid gland may be affected

What is the importance of iodine during pregnancy?

The thyroid gland plays a vital role in the regulation of many hormones that activate the body's basic functions, such as:

- Average heart rate

- Breathing

- Body weight

- Cholesterol levels in the blood

- Menstruation

- Nervous system

- Body temperature

- Regulating the necessary hormones during the stage of embryonic development.

Children born to mothers with mild to moderate deficiency in iodine levels are more prone to problems in perception and movement. A study published in 2013 showed that eight children between the ages of one year, and those born to mothers suffering from iodine deficiency, were more likely to have low levels of verbal intelligence, reading, comprehension, and reading accuracy. When following up these children at the age of nine, it was found that the lack of iodine in the mothers was related to the low educational level of the children.

What are the risks associated with iodine deficiencies?

 

It may be surprising to know that about one-third of Europeans suffer from iodine deficiency, and this percentage is similar to what has been observed in other studies in countries such as the United States. This deficiency exposes children to the risk of poor attention and poor academic performance in the future.

What are the doctors' recommendations regarding iodine intake?

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) and other public health organizations recommend that iodine levels in pregnant mothers range between 150-249 micrograms/liter. These organizations, including the American Thyroid Association and the European Endocrine Society, recommend that women who plan to become pregnant, pregnant women, and lactating women take iodine supplements at a daily dose of 150 micrograms. The other lacks such programs, where Al-Malh Al-Madameem Bollywood is available for everyone. In addition, in the United States, only 53% of people consume sodium, while in Sweden, where this study was conducted, the ratio was 27%.

What is the appropriate amount of iodine during pregnancy?

 

- Pregnant women: 220 micrograms per day

- Lactating women: 290 micrograms per day

- Non-pregnant women: 150 micrograms per day

**Effect of severe iodine deficiency on mothers and children:**

1. **moderate and moderate iodine deficiency:**

 - Pregnant women suffering from moderate or moderate iodine deficiency are at risk of hyperthyroidism.

 - Iodine deficiency is related to the decrease in the weight of the placenta and the circumference of the fetal head.

 - Recent studies have shown that moderate to moderate iodine deficiency in pregnant women leads to the appearance of attention deficit disorders and hyperactivity in their children, in addition to negative effects on cognition.

2. **Severe iodine deficiency:**

 - Severe deficiency of iodine leads to stopping the production of thyroid hormones in the mother and the fetus.

 - Low levels of thyroid hormones cause high levels of TSH, which leads to enlargement of the thyroid gland in both mother and fetus.

- Prevalence of hypothyroidism in about 30% of pregnant women in areas suffering from acute iodine deficiency.

- Iodine deficiency in pregnant women is related to increased abortion rates and high perinatal mortality (before, during and immediately after birth).

The presence of normal levels of thyroid hormones is necessary for the development of the brain and spinal cord, therefore, iodine deficiency can lead to low intelligence in children. It also leads to a deficiency in the secretion of thyroid hormones in newborns, which is known as cretinism, which causes mental retardation, deafness, and movement disorders.

Is it possible to take iodine during pregnancy and breastfeeding to improve the results in cases of hypothyroidism?

Giving iodine to mothers before pregnancy and in the early stages of pregnancy in areas suffering from acute iodine deficiency contributes to the improvement of children's cognitive abilities, compared to children of mothers who did not consume iodine.

The incidence of hypothyroidism and severe neurological disorders has decreased significantly in recent decades, thanks to the availability of iodine in salt and food supplements.

* Recommendations:

Recommendation 1: All pregnant women should consume about 250 micrograms of iodine per day.

Recommendation 2: It is not recommended to start giving iodine to pregnant women who are taking treatment for hyperthyroidism or who are taking levothyroxine.

Recommendation 3: If the amount of iodine consumed by the mother exceeds the permissible limits, it may inhibit the production of thyroid hormones in the fetus. Since the mechanism that protects the fetus from the inhibitory effect of the uterus does not develop until after the 36th week of pregnancy. Therefore, it is necessary not to exceed the dose of iodine recommended for the mother by more than 500 micrograms per day, in order to avoid inhibiting the production of thyroid hormones in the fetus.

Symptoms of iodine deficiency in pregnant women

The swelling in the front of the neck is considered as a result of LMy thyroid gland is the most prominent symptom related to iodine deficiency in the body. The occurrence of this swelling is a result of the disturbance of the thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency.

When iodine levels are low, the body's metabolic rate slows down, which leads to fat storage instead of being burned as part of the normal calorie burning process. This height causes an unexpected increase in weight.

Also, low iodine levels can make you feel more tired than usual, as the body needs minerals to produce energy. You may not notice it during pregnancy, because fatigue is one of the common symptoms at this stage.

Low levels of iodine in the body lead to a feeling of fatigue and exhaustion more than usual, as the body needs minerals to produce energy, which we do not realize during the pregnancy period, considering that fatigue is one of the common symptoms at this stage.

As for hair loss, although pregnancy usually increases the density of hair, iodine deficiency can negatively affect hair follicles, which leads to difficulty in regeneration and significant hair loss.

Also, dry skin and crusting can be the result of iodine deficiency, which plays an important role in the regeneration of skin cells, in addition to helping the body to sweat and moisturize cells. Therefore, the lack of iodine leads to a lack of sweat and moisture in the body.

Iodine also contributes to the production of heat inside the body, so the low level makes you feel more energetic than usual.

Moreover, iodine deficiency may slow down the heart rate, which makes you feel weak, tired and dizzy, and you may faint frequently.

In some cases, iodine deficiency may cause the fetus to stop growing or the doctor notices difficulty in developing the nose.

**Bollywood rich food**

1- Al-Quraysh cheese is considered one of the iodine-rich dairy products, as one cup contains 65 micrograms of iodine, while Al-Shadir cheese contains 12 micrograms per 28 grams.

2- Aljambri - Aljambri contains 23% of the recommended daily dose of iodine per 93 grams, in addition to containing a high percentage of protein, omega 3 acids, and other useful nutrients.

3- Altuna, when eating 93 grams of Altuna, the body gets 11% of the daily iodine requirement. However, one should be careful not to overeat, as seafood may contain high levels of mercury.

4- Eggs contain more than 16% of the recommended daily amount of iodine in one egg, as most of this mineral is found in the egg yolk.

5- Al-Qarasiya Ysaham al-Barguq al-Shokh, known as Qarasiya, meets 9% of the daily iodine requirement, in addition to being rich in essential vitamins that the body needs.

**Disorders of iodine levels in the body**

**Iodine deficiency** Iodine deficiency occurs as a result of the individual not getting enough iodine from food deprivation, and it is considered the most common cause of thyroid disorders. Among the groups most susceptible to iodine deficiency:

- children

- Pregnant and lactating women.

- People who do not eat iodine-treated salt or food supplements that contain iodine.

- Vegetarians who do not consume animal products.

- Individuals who live in areas known to have low levels of iodine in their bodies.

A person may suffer from iodine deficiency without any noticeable symptoms, while some may suffer from a health condition known as hypothyroidism as a result of low levels of iodine in the body. Symptoms of iodine deficiency include the following:

- Feeling weak and very tired.

- Muscle weakness.

- Unexplained weight gain.

- depression

- Swelling and thickening of the skin.

- Dry skin.

- Hair loss and dryness.

- Difficulty concentrating.

- Weakness and slow heartbeat.

- The feeling of flying more than usual.

- Constipation

- Inflation or swelling of the thyroid gland.

** Excess iodine ** Occurrence of increased levels of iodine in the body as a result of taking high doses of dietary iodine supplements or excessive consumption of certain types of seaweed and iodine-rich salts. This increase can lead to symptoms similar to iodine deficiency, such as thyroid enlargement. Also, excessive consumption of iodine causes inflammation of the thyroid gland and benign thyroid cancer.

The symptoms of iodine poisoning caused by consuming large amounts of iodine include the following:

- High temperature.

- Stomach pain.

- Induction and nausea.

- Diarrhea.

- Burning in the mouth, throat and stomach.

- Slow heartbeat.

- Al Ghaibooba

**Radioactive Iodine** Iodine deficiency analysis is a urine test in which the doctor determines the percentage of iodine in the body during the sample taken, then compares it with the normal amount of iodine in the body. After that, it can determine the extent of your iodine deficiency and whether it is dangerous or not.

**Benefits of iodine for pregnant women and fetuses**

1. **Prevention of thyroid gland enlargement** Iodine is considered an essential element for the health of the thyroid gland, as it helps to maintain the balance of vitality during pregnancy, which reduces the risk of enlargement, which may lead to cancer in some cases.

2. **relief of symptoms of fibroid breast disease** Iodine contributes significantly to the relief of pain associated with fibroid breast disease, which manifests itself in the appearance of lumps or non-cancerous growths, which often occur in women of reproductive age, but may also appear after menopause.

3. **foetal nose growth** Some researches show that children born to mothers who do not get the recommended amount of iodine during pregnancy are more prone to delayed mental development and low intelligence. This is attributed to the vital role of iodine in supporting healthy brain development.

4- Maintaining the mother's weight after giving birth Eating foods rich in iodine during pregnancy helps the mother to achieve a healthy weight after giving birth, in addition to preventing hyperthyroidism.

5-Protecting children from mental disabilities. When the doctor allows food for the child, the mother must ensure iodine-rich foods in the daily meal, as this reduces the risk of developing mental disabilities in early childhood.

**Iodine side effects**

Despite the many benefits of iodine, consuming large quantities or excessive doses can negatively affect the health of the body and lead to some serious side effects, including:

**Iodine poisoning** Excessive intake of iodine can lead to poisoning, which causes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

**Disturbance in the function of the thyroid gland** In some cases, consuming excessive amounts of iodine may cause a disturbance in the function of the thyroid gland, which negatively affects health.

**Allergic reactions** Some people may be allergic to iodine, which leads to the appearance of symptoms such as skin rash, itching, and swelling.

**Interaction with medicines** Iodine supplements can interact with some medicines, which affects the activities.

**Distortion of the fetus during pregnancy** Pregnant women must be careful when consuming iodine, and make sure to eat it moderately to avoid negative effects on the health of the fetus.