Important Trace Mineral May Be Deficient in Pregnant Women

by CP Staff

A recently published study evaluated levels of a trace mineral in women of reproductive age. This study used data from the 2001-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to evaluate levels of this nutrient in groups of women that were either pregnant or lactating, or who were not pregnant or breastfeeding.

In this study, researchers measured urinary excretion of iodine. Iodine is important for several physiological functions, but most notably for the synthesis of thyroid hormone. Maternal iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism affects the fetus, and can lead to abnormal central nervous system development and maturation, with permanent mental retardation, neurologic defects and growth abnormalities known as cretinism. Even mild deficiency in fetal iodine can cause impairment in cognitive ability. Furthermore, data indicates that median urinary iodine concentrations have decreased by 50 percent since the 1970s.

The subjects included 1,437 women between 15 and 44 years of age. The results indicated that women who were lactating or were not pregnant or lactating had sufficient iodine levels. However, the study showed that pregnant women were only borderline sufficient. The study also showed that iodine sufficiency correlated to intake of dairy products in pregnant and non-pregnant, and in non-lactating women.

The researchers concluded, “Although larger samples are needed to confirm these findings, these results raise concerns about the iodine status of pregnant women and women of reproductive age who are not consuming dairy products. Iodine levels among U.S. women should be monitored, particularly among subgroups at risk for iodine deficiency.”

Reference:

Perrine CG, Herrick K, Serdula MK, Sullivan KM. Some Subgroups of Reproductive Age Women in the United States May Be at Risk for Iodine Deficiency. J. Nutr. 2010 June 16. Published Online Ahead of Print.

Iodoral®, which contains both iodine and iodide as the potassium salt, is available here. To prevent gastric irritation, this iodine/iodide preparation is absorbed into a colloidal silica excipient and to eliminate the unpleasant taste of iodine, the tablets are coated with a thin film of pharmaceutical glaze. An iodine sufficiency test is also available here.