...The hormones produced by the thyroid gland aid in skin production and shedding, regulating the metabolism, the energy and activity levels, growth, and temperament. In other words, the thyroid is closely bound with many facets of the organism's health and well being...
...Unfortunately, some plants contain goitrogens - compounds that bind the iodine in food, preventing the body from utilizing it. This is easily dealt with by simply not feeding your iguana a lot of those vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, kale, soy (tofu), and grains...
...Some plants may have just one goitrogen, while other plants may have more than one. Some have very small amounts, while others have higher amounts. If you feed your iguana plants that are high in goitrogens, and feed them regularly and in quantity, your iguana's thyroid gland will not be able to get the iodine it needs and so will start to suffer a decline, not putting out the various hormones and chemicals your body needs. This is called hypo- (low) thyroid, or hypothyroidism...
...Hypothyroidism in iguanas leads to iguanas who are sluggish, lethargic, chubby but slow growing, and generally very sweet natured without having had to work much at being tamed. Keepers of such iguanas are amazed at the difference within a couple of weeks after they eliminate the large quantities of goitrogenic foods from their iguana's diet... Hyperthyroid, a medical condition in which the thyroid becomes overactive, is uncommon in iguanas. Symptoms may include overly rapid growth, thickened bones, and a nervous, jittery temperament. (The latter symptoms should not be confused with the normal behavior of an untamed or otherwise high-strung iguana.)...
...Goitrogenic foods are those which contain iodine binders. When the body cannot get enough iodine, a goiter forms, which impairs thyroid function, causing hypothyroidism. Feeding goitrogenic foods as a significant part of the diet, human and iguana, can thus lead to hypothyroidism...
Some plants have both iodine and iodine-binders, such as:
Kelp (Fucus vesiculosus)
Soybean (Glycine max)
Like spinach, which has both calcium and calcium oxalate, the goitrogen in kelp, for example, may be enough to bind the iodine it contains and other iodine in the diet.
- From Melissa Kaplan's website. Here's the link to the article:
www.anapsid.org/iguana/hypothyroidism.html
***HOWEVER! ***
Some fair/balanced information from other websites:
www.bodyandfitness.com/Information/Herbal/Research/kelp.htm
www.viable-herbal.com/herbdesc2/1kelp.htm
The latter mentions Kelp's nutritional benefits, even for thyroid.
I do know that Kelp is high in Sodium, and too much Sodium is bad for both pets and humans. Since iguanas are reptiles, they may react differently to Kelp compared to us and other mammals (such as your dogs and horses).
Marine iguanas eat kelp regularly, but they have evolved to do so. Consult a Vet or a few experts on the subject. It is very interesting, good job bringing it up!
-IJ
