6.13.2 Thyroid Hormone and Iodine Deficiency

What is Thyroid Hormone?

It is a chemical substance called thyroxin produced by the thyroid gland for normal growth and metabolism .

• Thyroid gland produces thyroxin hormone for proper body function.

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A person uses iodised salt, highlighting the
importance of iodine for thyroid hormone production.

• Insufficient iodine in diet causes less thyroxin production .

• Goitre is a condition where thyroid gland grows larger .

• Iodine-rich foods help prevent goitre and maintain thyroid health.

Activity 6.3: Iodine-Rich Foods Chart (Page 5)

What you need:

• Table 6.3 showing iodine content in foods
• Chart paper and colours

What to do:

• Step 1: Study Table 6.3 carefully
• Step 2: Identify foods with high iodine content
• Step 3: Make a chart showing iodine-rich foods
• Step 4: Group foods by iodine levels

Observations

What you see:
Based on the table, iodine-rich foods include:

• Sea fish - highest iodine content
• Iodised salt - good source of iodine
• Dairy products - moderate iodine levels
• Seaweed - very high iodine content
• Eggs - contain some iodine

Why this happens:
We have studied that thyroid gland needs iodine to produce thyroxin hormone . This is why eating iodine-rich foods prevents goitre and maintains healthy thyroid function .