Iodine-Deficiency and Toxicity

A human body has to intake iodine (which is found in food as iodide) for the proper functioning of thyroid glands related hormones. These hormones are called: thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine - and they are synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine and from iodide. The two hormones are essential for the body mainly because they regulate metabolic rate and promote growth and development throughout the body including the brain. In the case where there is a deficiency of thyroid hormones in the blood, the thyroid gland will become enlarged which is known as goiter. This deficiency occurs when they thyroid gland does not have enough iodine to make the hormones thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine. …