User:Mr. Ibrahem/Iodine deficiency

Iodine deficiency is a lack of the dietary mineral iodine. It may result in enlargement of the thyroid (goiter), low thyroid, intellectual disability, and congenital iodine deficiency syndrome. During pregnancy it may result in miscarriage or prematurity. Enlargement of the thyroid may take months or years to occur.

Risk factors including living far from the ocean and in mountainous regions, a diet high in certain food such as cassava, and smoking. Seafood naturally contains a fair bit of iodine, while other sources may include dairy products, eggs, and chicken. Iodine is required for thyroid hormone production. Diagnosis may be based on urine iodine levels of less than 100 ug/L or less than 150 ug/L in pregnancy. In newborns TSH levels may indicate the diagnosis.

Prevention at the population level includes the addition of a small amounts of iodine to table salt. This is mandatory in many countries such as Canada, but voluntary in the USA. Other foods, such as sugar and vegetable oil, have also been fortified in certain locations. Supplementation is available in the form of potassium iodide for either prevention or treatment. Levothyroxine may also be used.

Some degree of iodine deficiency is estimated to affect about 30% of people (2 billion). It is rare in locations that have iodized salt. It results in about 187 million cases of goiter globally (2.7% of the population). It resulted in 2,700 deaths in 2013 up from 2,100 deaths in 1990.