Re: Consequences of Iodine Deficiency (Summary)

1. Iodine is also concentrated by breast tissue, and a lack of Iodine in the breasts manifests as fibrocystic breast disease (painful breasts with nodules and cysts and often more symptomatic prior to menstrual periods). 93% of American women have fibrocystic breast disease and the longer this disease exists, the higher the potential risk for development of breast cancer.

2. Lack of Iodine in the sweat glands manifests as dry skin with a decreased ability to sweat.

3. lack of iodine in the stomach manifests as achlorhydria (lack of digestive acid production).

4. lack of iodine can cause dry eyes

5. Iodine can also be concentrated in the parotid and submandibular glands of the mouth, and iodine deficiency here can result in dry mouth.

6. Iodine can be concentrated in the ovaries, and Russian studies done some years ago showed a relationship between iodine deficiency and the presence of cysts in the ovaries. The greater the iodine deficiency, the more ovarian cysts a woman produces. In its extreme form, this condition is known as polycystic ovarian disease."

7. - Children can be penalized 10-15 IQ points if an expectant mother doesn't get enough dietary iodine & may cause neurological problems.

8. decreased myocardial contractility and increased peripheral vascular resistance as well as with the changes in lipid metabolism.

9. In conclusion, the occurrence of iodine deficiency in cardiovascular disease is frequent. Iodine supplementation might prevent the worsing effect of iodine deficiency on cardiovascular disease.