Minerals Important During Pregnancy

By CP Staff

A new study investigated the role of iodine and magnesium deficiency in pregnancy complications. Pre-eclampsia is the most common of the serious complications that can occur during pregnancy; this condition is associated with both blood pressure elevation and signs of kidney or liver damage in the mother. Both the mother and fetus are at risk when this condition develops; therefore, pre-eclampsia is generally managed by induction of labor or delivery by Caesarean section.

In this new study, iodine and magnesium levels were evaluated in both women with severe pre-eclampsia and healthy pregnant women. Forty women with severe pre-eclampsia and 18 healthy pregnant women were evaluated for urine iodine levels, blood magnesium concentrations and thyroid hormone levels, which were measured due to the fact that iodine is an important component of thyroid hormones.

The study found that the women with pre-eclampsia had decreased levels of both iodine and magnesium compared to the healthy women. Additionally, the study found that levels of the thyroid hormone tri-iodothyronine (T3) were decreased in the women with pre-eclampsia compared to the healthy pregnant women.

The study authors stated, “Our results suggested that urinary iodine concentration might be a useful marker for pre-diagnosing pre-eclamptic women. In addition, iodine supplementation may also be considered for pre-eclamptic therapy.”

Reference:

Gulaboglu M, Borekci B, Delibas I. Urine Iodine Levels in Preeclamptic and Normal Pregnant Women. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2009 Oct 29. Published Online Ahead of Print.

Iodine levels can be measured by taking an Iodine Sufficiency Test, which is available here. A special type of Iodine supplement known as Iodoral^® also is available here. Iodoral is a tablet containing 5 mg iodine and 7.5 mg iodide and has been used with great success by clinicians to treat iodine deficiency.