Low Iodine Levels Could Cause Fertility Problems In Women

Back in school, you might have studied that  low iodine levels in the human body could cause diseases like Goiter (enlarged thyroid) or hypothyroidism. But a recent research found that iodine deficiency could be linked to fertility issues in women.

Researchers in the US studied around 500 women who were trying to get pregnant for over five years and found that those having moderate to severely low levels of iodine had 46% lower odds of conceiving.

Iodine plays an important role in a developing a foetus’ brain. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy could cause mental retardation in infants. Still, surprisingly, research finds that 30% women of childbearing age have iodine levels below the normal levels of 100 micrograms per litre.

Lead study author Dr. James Mills and his colleagues from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Bethesda, Maryland, studied data collected from from 2005 to 2009 on 501 women (who had discontinued contraception and were trying to conceive).

The team collected urine samples for analysis. The women reported on risk factors related to infertility and then over the next year monitored their intercourse and ovulation cycles using fertility monitors.

The team found that 44 percent of the urine samples were in the deficient range for iodine. Almost 1/4 of the samples were in the moderate to severe deficiency range, with less than half of the recommended level.

At 12 months after beginning the study,  332 women (71 percent) had become pregnant, 42 (10 percent) did not, and the rest dropped out of the study for various reasons. US guidelines state that a pregnant and breastfeeding woman needs 150 micrograms of iodine, but there is no requirement mentioned for women before they get pregnant.

The most popular source of iodine known to us is iodized salt, which contains 77 micrograms of iodine in one gram. But there are other sources of iodine as well.

Here’s a list:

1. Baked potato: 60 micrograms one medium sized potato
2. Milk: 56 micrograms in 1 cup
3. Dried seaweed (a rich source): 4500 micrograms in a quarter serving
4. Codfish: 99 micrograms in 3 ounces
5. Shrimp: 35 micrograms in 3 ounces
6. Himalaya Crystal salt (very rich source): 2500 micrograms in ½ gram

The key is to eat healthy and get all the required  vitamins and minerals through a healthy diet and supplements. So whether you’re trying to conceive or otherwise, eating everything in moderation is the key.

Source of banner image: thyroidal

Disclaimer: This article was sourced from globalhealingcenter and voanews

Also read: 4 Superfoods For A Healthy Life

#momhealth #lowiodine