Can Iodine Deficiency Cause Over Calcification?

Did you know that some nutrient deficiencies, such as iodine can be a potential cause of over calcification?

Over-calcification is a process where calcium deposits accumulate excessively in the body’s tissues, leading to abnormal hardening and impaired function of affected areas. This can occur in both soft tissues and bones, disrupting the natural balance of calcium regulation. 

Normally, calcium is essential for healthy bones, teeth, muscle function, and nerve signaling, but when the body fails to properly manage calcium levels — often due to conditions like chronic kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D imbalances, protein malabsorption or excessive calcium or phosphate intake — it can result in calcification beyond what the body needs. In arteries, this can lead to vascular calcification, where blood vessels become stiff and narrow, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks or strokes. In the kidneys, it can contribute to the formation of kidney stones or nephrocalcinosis, causing pain and reducing kidney function. Soft tissues, like muscles, tendons, or even organs such as the lungs or brain, can also develop calcified deposits, leading to pain, reduced mobility, or impaired organ function. In some cases, genetic disorders like Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) cause severe, progressive calcification in muscles and connective tissues, essentially turning soft tissue into bone.

This is a scary thing, as over calcification can clearly manifest itself into some serious issues, but being aware of what can potentially cause it is one’s greatest advantage to avoiding it.

While we listed potential causes of over calcification above, a not so commonly known cause is worth to be mentioned, and that is iodine deficiency.

Iodine deficiency can lead to over-calcification indirectly through its impact on the thyroid gland, which directly impacts the metabolism. Let’s break it down:

1. Iodine and Thyroid Function:
   Iodine is essential for producing thyroid hormones — mainly thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones regulate metabolism, calcium balance, and bone turnover.
   
   

2. Hypothyroidism and Parathyroid Hormone (PTH):
   When iodine levels are low, thyroid hormone production drops, leading to hypothyroidism. This slows down bodily processes, including the regulation of calcium levels. Hypothyroidism can also trigger an increase in parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. PTH is responsible for calcium regulation — pulling calcium from the bones to maintain blood calcium levels. Over time, this imbalance can lead to calcification of soft tissues (like arteries, joints, or muscles) because excess calcium has nowhere else to go.
   
   

3. Metabolism Slows, Calcium Builds Up:
   With a sluggish metabolism, calcium transport and breakdown are impaired. This can contribute to calcium deposits in areas where they shouldn’t be, like tendons or blood vessels — a process called ectopic calcification.
   
   

4. Goiter and Thyroid Nodules:
   Severe iodine deficiency can also cause goiter (thyroid enlargement) or thyroid nodules, which sometimes calcify as the tissue changes over time.

So clearly iodine can be protective against over calcification.

The unfortunate truth however is that iodine deficiency is a lot more common than people think because of our polluted waters and oceans, which is where most of us get our iodine intake. You can also obtain it through eggs, dairy and iodized salt.

Symptoms of iodine deficiency, aside from over calcification can look like:

Enlarged thyroid (goiter): One of the most visible signs is a swollen thyroid gland in the neck. The thyroid grows larger as it works harder to make hormones without enough iodine.

Fatigue and weakness: Low thyroid hormones slow down your metabolism, making you feel sluggish, tired, and weak, even after a full night’s sleep.

Weight gain: A slower metabolism means your body burns fewer calories at rest, leading to unexplained weight gain.

Cold sensitivity: Iodine deficiency disrupts temperature regulation, making you feel cold more often than usual.

Hair thinning and dry skin: Thyroid hormones support healthy hair and skin. Without enough iodine, you might experience hair loss, dry, flaky skin, or thinning eyebrows (especially the outer edges).

Slow heart rate: In severe cases, an underactive thyroid can cause a slower-than-normal heart rate, leading to fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

Cognitive issues: Iodine is crucial for brain function. Deficiency can lead to difficulty concentrating, brain fog, and poor memory.

Mood changes: Low iodine levels may contribute to feelings of depression, irritability, or anxiety due to disrupted hormone production.

Hoarseness: A swollen thyroid can put pressure on the throat, causing voice changes or a persistent hoarse voice.

Developmental issues (in children): In pregnant women or young children, iodine deficiency can cause stunted growth, intellectual disabilities, and delayed development, as thyroid hormones are critical for brain and body development.

Menstrual irregularities: In women, iodine deficiency may cause heavier, irregular, or more painful periods.

Thankfully, if you’re concerned about iodine deficiency or know you need more because its scarce in your diet, you can check out our Upgraded Iodine today, and this can help you prevent over calcification, as well as other iodine deficient symptoms!