Fact 6. Iodine Deficiency and Cold Intolerance: The Thermal Connection
Cold intolerance, or a heightened sensitivity to cold, is another symptom that can emerge from iodine deficiency. As an essential component of thyroid hormones, iodine deficiency can lead to lower levels of these hormones, which play a crucial role in regulating the body’s temperature.
Thyroid hormones help the body generate heat and maintain its normal temperature. When their levels fall due to iodine deficiency, it can disrupt the body’s ability to stay warm. This can make individuals more sensitive to cold temperatures, a condition known as cold intolerance.
Apart from the physical discomfort, cold intolerance can also affect an individual’s daily life. It can limit outdoor activities in colder climates and cause discomfort even in mildly air-conditioned environments, influencing the quality of life.
Moreover, as the body struggles to generate enough heat, it can lead to additional symptoms like cold hands and feet and a slower metabolic rate, adding to the complexity of the impacts of iodine deficiency. (6)
