Iodine: Deficiency disorders and prevention programs

Abstract

Iodine is an essential component of hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones, and therefore iodine, are essential for mammalian life. Optimal dietary iodine intakes for healthy adults are 150–250μgday−1. Iodine deficiency has multiple adverse effects in humans due to inadequate thyroid hormone production that are termed as iodine deficiency disorders. Assessment methods of iodine status include urinary iodine concentration, goiter, and blood thyroglobulin. Globally, it is estimated that 2 billion individuals have an insufficient iodine intake, in both industrialized and developing countries. In most countries, the best strategy to control iodine deficiency in populations is carefully monitored iodization of salt.