Bonsoy Soy Milk recall
24 December 2009
What is Iodine?
Iodine is a mineral and an essential nutrient for life. It’s found in the foods we eat, air we breathe and water we drink. It is also used as a disinfectant.
Why do we need iodine?
The thyroid, a small butterfly shaped gland in the neck, needs iodine to produce thyroid hormones, which are essential because they regulate our metabolism. In children, especially young children, including the developing foetus, thyroid hormones help regulate physical and mental development.
How does iodine enter and leave my body?
Most of the iodine that enters your body comes from the foods we consume, with smaller amounts coming from the water we drink and air we breathe. The iodine that enters your body goes to the thyroid where it is used to produce thyroid hormones. Iodine is generally excreted through the kidneys in urine although very small amounts may be excreted through sweat, faeces and breast milk. The time it takes your body to excrete half of the iodine you consumed in one day is approximately one month.
What foods contain iodine?
Iodine is found in seawater so any type of seafood provides a source, particularly seaweed (kelp). Some Australian table salt has iodine added to it and iodine is added to all bread except organic. Dairy products, eggs and some vegetables are also known to contain iodine. Milk usually has low levels of iodine.
How much iodine do we need?
Iodine is a trace mineral and so we need only very small amounts. These amounts are measured in micrograms (µg). Although only small amounts are needed, we need iodine regularly because we cannot store large amounts in the body.
The recommended daily intake (RDI) for iodine depends on your age and life stage:
- Younger children (1 to 8 years) – 90µg
- Older children (9 to 13 years, boys and girls) – 120µg
- Adolescents (14 to 18 years) – 150µg
- Men – 150µg
- Women – 150µg
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding –250 µg
What are the health effects?
Excessive iodine can lead to hyperthyroidism or, less commonly in adults, hypothyroidism. Babies appear more susceptible to hypothyroidism following excessive iodine exposure which can occur during pregnancy from the mother’s intake of iodine.
The commonest symptoms of hyperthyroidism are palpitations, fatigue and weight loss. Hypothyroidism is often insidious and, in mild cases, may only be detected on routine screening but it can cause fatigue, weight gain and mental clouding.
Is there a medical test to determine my level of iodine?
A simple blood test (the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, or TSH) is available to assess the health of the thyroid gland. Most physicians do not routinely test for iodine but, if necessary, can collect a urine sample to send to a laboratory for measurement of iodine. If there are abnormalities of thyroid function which are thought to be related to excessive iodine exposure, consultation with a specialist (endocrinologist) may be required.
BonSoy soy milk recall: Information for Medical Practitioners:http://www.racgp.org.au/healthalerts/35472