Low Iodine Levels May Be Harming Your Fertility 

When it comes to fertility, a lot of factors come into play when it involves nutrition. Deficiencies or excess nutrient levels can, at times, have a negative effect. Among the many influential nutrients, low bodily concentration of the element iodine may inhibit a woman’s fertility levels. While low systemic levels of iodine can prove detrimental to a woman’s reproductive health, there are therapeutic measures that can be employed in the event this condition exists.

An Introduction to Iodine

Iodine is a chemical element, as well as a nutrient, that is contained in many commonly consumed foods such as fish, other types of seafood, dairy products, grains, certain fruits and vegetables, and iodized salt. The substance is also prevalent in many dietary vitamin supplements. Medical professionals and nutrition experts recommend that adults consume at least 150 micrograms (mcg) of iodine per day.

The Importance of Iodine

As a critical factor in helping the body regulate hormone production, this nutrient is particularly vital when referencing the thyroid gland, due to the fact that the thyroid gland cannot create necessary hormones without receiving a sufficient supply of iodine. The nutrient, iodine, is often referred to as the “endocrine mineral” because of its in stimulating the production of other important hormones secreted by the adrenal glands and the reproductive organs of men and women.

The Effects of Low Iodine Levels

Low systemic concentrations of iodine can impact numerous organs and glands, which may elicit a variety of symptoms. Common manifestations of iodine insufficiency can include fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, skin irritation, pulse rate fluctuations and concentration difficulties. That said, of particular concern to women of child-bearing ages is the deficiency’s impact upon fertility.

How Does Iodine Insufficiency Affect Fertility?

Conception difficulties related to iodine insufficiency can be traced back to the thyroid gland. Among the hormones this organ secretes are thyroxine, also known as T4 and triiodothyronine, medically referred to as T3. These substances regulate the body’s production of enzymes that are integral to controlling internal processes important to conception. These processes include cell division, growth, healing, ovulation, the maturity and strengthening of reproductive organs, as well as fetus development.

Women stricken with low iodine levels may experience heavy bleeding during their periods, irregular menstrual cycles and maladies to their reproductive organs. It is also important to note that those women stricken with iodine insufficiency who do conceive a child are not home free. This medical problem can also have a significantly adverse impact upon pregnancy and cause conditions such as gestational hypertension (pregnancy-induced high blood pressure) and catastrophic occurrences such as first trimester abortions and stillbirths. In addition, fetuses that are carried to full-term by mothers with low levels of iodine may be at greater risk of developing cognitive and learning disabilities over time.

Preventative Measures for Women to Employ

For women concerned with iodine levels prior to, or during pregnancy, should consult with their doctors, as they may be able to perform an examination on the thyroid. Should any problems be detected, medications may be needed to remediate the problem. If the deficiency is diet-related, a woman may be instructed to begin corrective supplementation or to adopt a nutritional plan containing iodine-rich food.