LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Iodine: Thyroid Glands
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Iodine is incorporated into two important hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Together, these two hormones regulate the metabolic rate of the body. They are extremely important in growth and development, particularly in the fetus and newborn, where deficiencies may result in mental retardation, abnormal appearance, and functional loss.
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Iodine is a trace mineral produced by the body that is essential for normal growth and development. Seventy to eighty percent of iodine is found in the thyroid gland in the neck. The rest is distributed throughout the body, particularly in the ovaries, muscles, and blood. A deficiency of iodine can lead to hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels); symptoms of this condition include sluggishness, weight gain, and sensitivity to temperature changes. In infants and children, hypothyroidism can impair physical and mental development.
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Iodine is a building material of thyroid hormones that are essential for growth, the nervous system and the metabolism. Humans that eat little to no bread can experience iodine shortages. The function of the thyroid gland will than slow down and the thyroid gland will start swelling up. This phenomenon is called struma.
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Iodine, the 53rd element in the periodic table, is a key ingredient in thyroxine, a hormone produced in the thyroid gland. When a pregnant woman's diet lacks iodine, her fetus may suffer inadequate brain development because thyroxine production is inhibited. Thyroxine promotes complex brain development and ... directly affects an infant's intelligence. Although iodine is a critical nutritional supplement, very little of the substance—about 0.001 g (0.02 grain) each day—is required to prevent iodine deficiency disorder.
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Iodine preparations should not be taken regularly during pregnancy and lactation. Because iodine may cause burns on occluded skin, an iodine- treated wound should be covered with a light bandage. As iodine and iodides can affect the thyroid gland, the administration of such preparations may interfere with tests of thyroid functions (Reynolds 1989; McEvoy, 1990). Potassium iodide should not be used in adolescent patients because of its potential to induce acne and its effects on the thyroid gland (Bouillon ,1988). Iodine or iodides should not be administered to patients with a history of hypersensitivity to such compounds.
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Iodine is necessary for the thyroid gland's proper performance of its work. The human thyroid gland is located in the front of the lower part of the neck. All the blood in the body passes through the thyroid gland every 17 minutes. Because the cells making up this gland have an affinity for iodine, during this 17-minute passage the gland's secretion of iodine kills weak germs that may have gained entry into the blood through an injury to the skin, the lining of nose or throat, or through absorption of food from the digestive tract. Strong, virulent germs are rendered weaker during their passage through the thyroid gland. With each 17 minutes that rolls around they are made still weaker until finally they are killed if the gland has its normal supply of iodine.
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Thyroid Glands