Iodine in biology

Iodine is a type of chemical element that is important for your body to function properly. It is so important that if you don't get enough of it in your diet, you might get sick or have a hard time growing up.

Your body needs iodine to help make something called thyroid hormone. Your thyroid gland is a special part of your body that makes this hormone, and it needs iodine to do it.

Thyroid hormone is like a messenger that tells different parts of your body what to do. It helps control your metabolism (how quickly your body burns energy), your body temperature, your heart rate, and your growth and development.

If your body doesn't have enough iodine, your thyroid gland may have a hard time making enough thyroid hormone. This can make you feel tired, have trouble concentrating, or have trouble growing.

But don't worry! You can get iodine from different foods, like seafood, dairy products, and even some fruits and vegetables. And if you need a little extra, your doctor can give you iodine supplements to help make sure your body has what it needs to stay healthy.