Iodized salt reduces hypothyroidism.
Due to the addition of iodine in table salt, the United States has seen a reduction in medical conditions resulting from iodine deficiencies. Still, some experts predict a rising trend in thyroid problems because of the trend toward the consumption of natural salts and sodium-free diets that totally restrict salt intake. Here's identify an iodine deficiency.
Instructions
1. Feel the front of your neck. The most common symptom of an iodine deficiency is an enlarged thyroid gland, often so swollen it noticeably protrudes. Called a goiter, this swelling occurs routinely in people from geographical areas outside the United States where the soil is iodine-depleted and no alternate source of iodine is available. The goiter may or may not be painful.
2. Notice any increased difficulty in swallowing soft foods that you once swallowed easily. In some cases, a swollen goiter protrudes inward, pressing on the esophagus and hindering your ability to swallow. This is a sign that you should see a doctor promptly.
3. Listen to the sound of your breathing. Pressure on your windpipe by a thyroid gland, swollen as a result of an iodine deficiency, can result in wheezing and increased snoring. In addition, you may cough more and feel pressure in the throat area.
4. Undergo a thyroid scan or an ultrasound of the thyroid to determine the presence of swelling. Your doctor will also feel your neck as you swallow. After finding a swollen gland, a biopsy test will rule out malignancy.
5. Tell your doctor if you have signs of hypothyroidism, which include fatigue, muscle weakness, muscle pain, depression and intolerance to cold. If an iodine deficiency is severe, you may also experience a thinning of the outer portion of the eyebrows and a thickening of the skin.
Tags: iodine deficiency, thyroid gland, United States, your neck
