Why is iodine supplement necessary for pregnant mothers?

Currently in the world, every year, 18 million newborn babies are born with mental retardation due to lack of iodine by pregnant mothers, that is, there is no iodine supplement or insufficient supplementation in their daily diet. This is an alarming number. Therefore, pregnant mothers need to pay attention to supplementing with iodine during pregnancy. 

Iodine is an important nutrient that the body needs to produce enough thyroid hormones. This hormone plays a role in supporting stable development, helping brain, bone, muscle, heart, immune and metabolism function normally in both mother and child. In this article, aFamilyToday Health will share the reasons why pregnant women should supplement iodine during pregnancy, the appropriate dosage and the risk of iodine deficiency.

Iodine supplementation during pregnancy

Some reasons for pregnant mothers need to absorb enough iodine are:

Iodine is essential for fetal brain and nervous system development. Deficiencies can reduce the ability to function in these parts

Iodine helps to regulate your baby's metabolism

Your body produces about 50% more thyroid hormone to help your baby develop a normal and healthy thyroid. Otherwise, a deficiency could lead to a goiter of the mother and fetus (an abnormally enlarged thyroid) or hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid).

In addition, if the fetus has an underdeveloped thyroid it can cause low IQ as well as development problems or learning disabilities.

Insufficient iodine supplementation can increase the risk of preterm birth, miscarriage, stillbirth and infant mortality.

Extremely low iodine levels will affect the physical and mental development of the baby, such as dullness.

According to one study, insufficient iodine needed during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. ADHD has been linked with behavioral disorders, anti-defiance disorder, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder ...

While iodine supplementation is essential, you must know how much you should take in, not more or less than the recommended amount.

How to add iodine properly?

According to the US National Institutes of Health , the recommended daily level of iodine supplementation for pregnant women is 220mcg. If you do not get enough iodine each day, you can compensate by eating iodine-rich foods or supplements under the prescription of your doctor.

Harmful when pregnant mothers supplement too much iodine

A study shows that if pregnant mothers absorb iodine too limited, the baby will be born with congenital hypothyroidism. When left untreated, hypothyroidism leads to cognitive impairment in infants and young children. In addition, too much iodine also causes adverse effects such as:

The goiter is caused by an abnormally enlarged thyroid

Thyroiditis and thyroid cancer

Burning sensation in throat, mouth and stomach

Fever, diarrhea, and stomach pain

Nausea and vomiting

Weak pulse and coma (rare case)

To stay safe, limit your iodine intake by relying on food sources that are rich in natural nutrients.

The best source of iodine

Iodine is present in foods such as milk, vegetables, seafood, and eggs. The amount of iodine in these dishes may depend on the amount of iodine in the soil or water of the area where the product is harvested.

Here is a list of iodine-rich foods that you can include in your diet:

Be cautious about the presence of nitrates in certain foods, as they affect your ability to absorb iodine. Avoid processed foods and cold meats and sausages as they are high in nitrates.

In some cases, when your diet is not rich in iodine, your doctor may advise you to use synthetic iodine supplements.

Is it safe to take iodine supplements?

Most doctors consider it safe to take iodine supplements during pregnancy. In addition, it is not easy to absorb the necessary amount of iodine by diet alone, so supplements can be used as a supplement.

Women trying to conceive, pregnant or breast-feeding can take about 150 mcg of dietary supplements every day, especially if they are unable to get the required amount of minerals.

If you have been supplemented with iodine due to a thyroid problem in the past, talk to your doctor.

Most prenatal vitamins contain iodine. If not, you can take a supplement that contains a combination of iodine and folate.

Seaweeds or seaweed-based iodine supplements should not be eaten as they contain varying amounts of iodine and can contain mercury, which is dangerous for your baby.

Frequently asked questions of pregnant women about iodine supplementation

How long should I take iodine supplements for?

You can take one 150mcg supplement a day, from conception to breastfeeding. These pills should only supplement foods rich in iodine such as eggs, fish, vegetables ... 

Is it safe to take potassium iodine during pregnancy?

The answer is yes, you can take potassium iodine (KI), an inorganic iodine supplement used to manage iodine deficiency and thyroid disorders. Doctors have suggested that babies born to mothers who received a potassium iodine supplement during the first trimester scored higher on psychiatric ratings than babies born to pregnant mothers who had not received iodine.

Is it possible to use iodine alcohol during pregnancy?

Alcohol iodine is an antiseptic that is used to treat small wounds. The product is a combination of 2% iodine and 2% sodium iodide in 50% alcohol. Do not use alcohol iodine during pregnancy. Incorrect ingestion of this compound can lead to death.

If you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant but are concerned about iodine levels, go to the hospital for a checkup. Your doctor may recommend a urine test to detect iodine levels in the body, then suggest ways to improve your condition.