Iodine

Iodine is a mineral that must be obtained in the diet.

Iodine is an essential component of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are major factors in regulating the body’s metabolism.

Iodine deficiency results in hypothyroidism. Symptoms can include fatigue, depression, anxiety, brain fog, headaches, constipation, hair loss, weight gain, and sensitivity to cold temperatures. The thyroid gland may be enlarged causing a bulge in the neck called a goiter. Children born to mothers with iodine deficiency often have mental retardation. Iodine deficiency in early postnatal life can result in degrees of intellectual dysfunction and autism. Iodine deficiency is the number one cause of preventable intellectual disability worldwide.

Iodine deficiency is common in children with autism from some developing countries (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24120386), but is increasingly less common in many countries due to the addition of iodine to salt.

Iodine supplementation is used to prevent or treat hypothyroidism.

While any supplement taken into the stomach can cause nausea, alpha lipoic acid seems to be a frequent offender. Thus, medical care providers often recommend a lower dose at first, which is increased over time. Due to its effects on insulin metabolism, people with diabetes and/or hypoglycemia should be careful as alpha-lipoic acid might lower their blood sugar.

Side effects are rare at usual doses used in supplementation.

Laboratory testing can reveal the presence of a deficiency of this nutrient. In particular, thyroid hormone testing can reveal hypothyroidism.