The impact of common micronutrient deficiencies on iodine and thyroid metabolism: the evidence from human studies.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the interactions between iodine and other micronutrients (iron, selenium, vitamin A, zinc) and their combined effects on thyroid function and disorders.
Results Summary
The study found that combining iron with iodine improved thyroid function and volume more effectively than iodine alone. Vitamin A supplementation, either alone or with iodized salt, also benefited thyroid function and size, while selenium supplementation showed no significant impact on thyroid metabolism in humans.
Population
Low-income populations with iodine and micronutrient deficiencies.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
Iron and vitamin A showed beneficial interactions with iodine; selenium and zinc interactions were inconclusive or not confirmed.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iron along with iodine | increase | thyroid function and volume | iodine- and iron-deficient populations | - | greater improvements | #1 |
iodine alone | increase | thyroid function and volume | iodine- and iron-deficient populations | - | improvements | #2 |
Vitamin A supplementation | increase | thyroid function and thyroid size | - | - | beneficial impact | #3 |
selenium supplementation | no change | thyroid metabolism | human populations | - | failed to confirm an impact | #4 |
Deficiencies of micronutrients are highly prevalent in low-income countries. Inadequate intake of iodine impairs thyroid function and results in a spectrum of disorders. Other common deficiencies of micronutrients such as iron, selenium, vitamin A, and possibly zinc may interact with iodine nutrition and thyroid function. Randomised controlled intervention trials in iodine- and iron-deficient populations have shown that providing iron along with iodine results in greater improvements in thyroid function and volume than providing iodine alone. Vitamin A supplementation given alone or in combination with iodised salt can have a beneficial impact on thyroid function and thyroid size. Despite numerous studies of the effect of selenium on iodine and thyroid metabolism in animals, most published randomised controlled intervention trials in human populations failed to confirm an impact of selenium supplementation on thyroid metabolism. Little evidence is available on interactions between iodine and zinc metabolism.