History Of Iodine And Research On Iodine Deficiency Disorder
Global health experts announced (12/1/99) in a news conference
in Bogota, Colombia that iodine deficiency continues to be a serious
threat to global health, cautioning that problems far more serious than
the enlarged thyroid known as a goiter can result.
While iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is not a common problem in
the U.S., it is on the rise in the U.S. as well. The October, 1998
issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported
that over the last 20 years, the percentage of Americans with low
intake of iodine has more than quadrupled. the researchers indicated
that this trend may necessitate concerted efforts to increase iodine
levels in people at risk of deficiency. Earlier in this century,
iodized salt almost wiped out iodine deficiency in the U.S. The first
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I), which took
place between 1971 - 1974, found that just 2.6% of US citizens had
iodine deficiency. The followup NHANES III survey, conducted between
1988 - 1994, found that 11.7% are iodine deficient. Of particular
concern is the fact that the percentage of iodine-deficient pregnant
women has increased from 1% in 1974 to 7% in 1994. Maternal iodine
deficiency is particularly dangerous to a developing fetus.'' The
researchers do not have a cause for the drop in levels, though it is
suspected that reduced salt in the diet, plus a reduction in the use of
iodine as a food ingredient, may be responsible.
Iodine Dficiency Disorder (IDD) ignificant public health problem in
130 countries. While remarkable measurable progress is being made
through universal salt iodization, there are nearly 50 million people
who are estimated to still be affected by some degrees of IDD-related
brain damage.
It affects 740 million people a year. It causes brain disorders,
cretinism, miscarriages and goiter. It is the world's single most
important and preventable cause of mental retardation. And it is almost
unknown. Equally unknown is the success in eradicating it. Calling it
"one of our best kept secrets" the World Health Organization has
rededicated itself to eliminating Iodine Deficiency Disorder through an
intense programme of salt iodisation and iodine delivery within the
next decade.
One-third of the world's population is estimated to be at risk of
IDD. Since the passage of a special resolution at the World Health
Assembly in 1990 and subsequent resolutions in 1992 and 1996, the
Department of Nutrition for Health and Development (NHD) of WHO has
worked tirelessly to establish iodisation programmes around the world.
Iodine is found in various foods, including seafood, small amounts
of iodized salt, and vegetables grown in iodine-rich soils.
Iodine-containing mist from the ocean is another important source of
iodine, since iodine is absorbed by the skin. Iodized salt provides 76
micrograms (mcg) of iodine per gram of salt.
Strong iodine is used to treat overactive thyroid, iodine
deficiency, and to protect the thyroid gland from the effects of
radiation from radioactive forms of iodine. It may be used before and
after administration of a radioactive medicine containing radioactive
iodine or after accidental exposure to radiation (for example, from
nuclear power plant accidents). It may also be used for other
conditions as determined by your doctor.
Radioactive iodine (commonly called radioiodine) is a form of iodine
chemically identical to nonradioactive iodine. Therefore, the thyroid
gland, which takes up iodine to make thyroid hormone, cannot
distinguish between the two. However, the nucleus of a radioactive
iodine molecule has excess energy and gives off radiation that can have
effects on the cells in which it is concentrated.
Radioactive iodine treatment of hyperthyroidism makes use of the
thyroid gland's natural need for iodine to make thyroid hormone. The
thyroid is the only part of the body that collects and retains iodine.
In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid cells are over-stimulated and make
larger amounts of thyroid hormone. The excess amount of hormones are
secreted into the blood, and produce the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
When radioiodine is given, the thyroid gland cannot tell if the iodine
is radioactive or not, and collects it in the normal way in proportion
to the activity of the thyroid. Radioiodine thus accumulates in the
cells that make thyroid hormone and remains there long enough to
radiate the gland and to slow thyroid production. Radioiodine that is
not retained by the thyroid gland is secreted rapidly by the body
(within two or three days), primarily through the kidneys into the
urine.
All hyperthyroid patients have an increase rate of metabolism which
causes their bodies to burn up food more rapidly than normal. In many,
appetite and food consumption are also increased. Because of individual
differences in metabolism and appetite, some hyperthyroid patients lose
weight, some maintain their weight, and some actually gain weight. When
they are cured by any method of treatment, body metabolism decreases
and food is burned more slowly. Appetite usually decreases as well, and
most patients return to their prehyperthyroid weight. However, the
increased appetite may persist longer than the increased metabolism. If
this happens to you, there may be a tendency for you to gain weight
unless you voluntarily decrease your food intake. However, this can be
readily controlled by decreasing food intake.
This form of treatment of hyperthyroidism by radioiodine has been
used routinely for more than 35 years on well over one million patients
in the United States alone. Many studies of people treated and examined
at a later time show no harmful side effects or complications to the
patients or their offspring. Radioiodine is now recognized as the
safest, least expensive, and most convenient and effective treatment
for hyperthyroidism. In the United States approximately 90 percent of
hyperthyroid patients are treated with radioiodine.
In view of its safety, convenience, low cost, and effectiveness,
most hyperthyroid patients and their physicians in the United States
select radioiodine as the definitive treatment of choice.
Global health experts announced (12/1/99) in a news conference
in Bogota, Colombia that iodine deficiency continues to be a serious
threat to global health, cautioning that problems far more serious than
the enlarged thyroid known as a goiter can result.
While iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is not a common problem in
the U.S., it is on the rise in the U.S. as well. The October, 1998
issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported
that over the last 20 years, the percentage of Americans with low
intake of iodine has more than quadrupled. the researchers indicated
that this trend may necessitate concerted efforts to increase iodine
levels in people at risk of deficiency. Earlier in this century,
iodized salt almost wiped out iodine deficiency in the U.S. The first
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I), which took
place between 1971 - 1974, found that just 2.6% of US citizens had
iodine deficiency. The followup NHANES III survey, conducted between
1988 - 1994, found that 11.7% are iodine deficient. Of particular
concern is the fact that the percentage of iodine-deficient pregnant
women has increased from 1% in 1974 to 7% in 1994. Maternal iodine
deficiency is particularly dangerous to a developing fetus.'' The
researchers do not have a cause for the drop in levels, though it is
suspected that reduced salt in the diet, plus a reduction in the use of
iodine as a food ingredient, may be responsible.
Iodine Dficiency Disorder (IDD) ignificant public health problem in
130 countries. While remarkable measurable progress is being made
through universal salt iodization, there are nearly 50 million people
who are estimated to still be affected by some degrees of IDD-related
brain damage.
It affects 740 million people a year. It causes brain disorders,
cretinism, miscarriages and goiter. It is the world's single most
important and preventable cause of mental retardation. And it is almost
unknown. Equally unknown is the success in eradicating it. Calling it
"one of our best kept secrets" the World Health Organization has
rededicated itself to eliminating Iodine Deficiency Disorder through an
intense programme of salt iodisation and iodine delivery within the
next decade.
One-third of the world's population is estimated to be at risk of
IDD. Since the passage of a special resolution at the World Health
Assembly in 1990 and subsequent resolutions in 1992 and 1996, the
Department of Nutrition for Health and Development (NHD) of WHO has
worked tirelessly to establish iodisation programmes around the world.
Iodine is found in various foods, including seafood, small amounts
of iodized salt, and vegetables grown in iodine-rich soils.
Iodine-containing mist from the ocean is another important source of
iodine, since iodine is absorbed by the skin. Iodized salt provides 76
micrograms (mcg) of iodine per gram of salt.
Strong iodine is used to treat overactive thyroid, iodine
deficiency, and to protect the thyroid gland from the effects of
radiation from radioactive forms of iodine. It may be used before and
after administration of a radioactive medicine containing radioactive
iodine or after accidental exposure to radiation (for example, from
nuclear power plant accidents). It may also be used for other
conditions as determined by your doctor.
Radioactive iodine (commonly called radioiodine) is a form of iodine
chemically identical to nonradioactive iodine. Therefore, the thyroid
gland, which takes up iodine to make thyroid hormone, cannot
distinguish between the two. However, the nucleus of a radioactive
iodine molecule has excess energy and gives off radiation that can have
effects on the cells in which it is concentrated.
Radioactive iodine treatment of hyperthyroidism makes use of the
thyroid gland's natural need for iodine to make thyroid hormone. The
thyroid is the only part of the body that collects and retains iodine.
In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid cells are over-stimulated and make
larger amounts of thyroid hormone. The excess amount of hormones are
secreted into the blood, and produce the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
When radioiodine is given, the thyroid gland cannot tell if the iodine
is radioactive or not, and collects it in the normal way in proportion
to the activity of the thyroid. Radioiodine thus accumulates in the
cells that make thyroid hormone and remains there long enough to
radiate the gland and to slow thyroid production. Radioiodine that is
not retained by the thyroid gland is secreted rapidly by the body
(within two or three days), primarily through the kidneys into the
urine.
All hyperthyroid patients have an increase rate of metabolism which
causes their bodies to burn up food more rapidly than normal. In many,
appetite and food consumption are also increased. Because of individual
differences in metabolism and appetite, some hyperthyroid patients lose
weight, some maintain their weight, and some actually gain weight. When
they are cured by any method of treatment, body metabolism decreases
and food is burned more slowly. Appetite usually decreases as well, and
most patients return to their prehyperthyroid weight. However, the
increased appetite may persist longer than the increased metabolism. If
this happens to you, there may be a tendency for you to gain weight
unless you voluntarily decrease your food intake. However, this can be
readily controlled by decreasing food intake.
This form of treatment of hyperthyroidism by radioiodine has been
used routinely for more than 35 years on well over one million patients
in the United States alone. Many studies of people treated and examined
at a later time show no harmful side effects or complications to the
patients or their offspring. Radioiodine is now recognized as the
safest, least expensive, and most convenient and effective treatment
for hyperthyroidism. In the United States approximately 90 percent of
hyperthyroid patients are treated with radioiodine.
In view of its safety, convenience, low cost, and effectiveness,
most hyperthyroid patients and their physicians in the United States
select radioiodine as the definitive treatment of choice.
- World Health Organization sets out to eliminate iodine deficiency disorder (WHO/99-WHA17) 25 May 1999
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, MEDLINEplus, Iodine, Strong
- David V. Becker, MD, James R. Hurley, MD, and Ronald Detres. Radioactive Iodine Treatment of Hyperthyroidism
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