Iodine deficiencies can cause thyroid problems and, in newborns, mental retardation. Usually, we get iodine from sea food or from vegetables.  However, vegetables grown in some areas do not get enough iodine from the soil and many people eat very little seafood.  I discourage the use of salt on the table or in cooking.  However, anyone following my advice and taking a daily multivitamin with minerals will get plenty of iodine since the standard dose is 150 mcg in every multivitamin with minerals that I have seen.

Says Deficiencies On Rise in Australia, U.S.: Only 10% in Australia use iodized salt and milk companies have switched to low iodine cleaners. Urinary iodine in four groups tested below 100 mcg/day, while they used to be 200 mcg/day. The World Health Organization goal is 100 mcg/day. Re-emergence of iodine deficiency in Australia. Li M, Ma G, Boyages SC, Eastman CJ. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2001;10(3):200-3

Iodine Deficiency High in Pregnant Hungarians: Iodine deficiency by urinary iodine was found in 57.1% of the pregnant women, and was severe in 15.6%. The volume of the thyroid gland was enlarged in 19.2% of individuals. Nodular goiter was found in 17 women (5.4%). The frequency of goiter and the mean thyroid volume were increased in the group of iodine-deficient women. In the 89 cases of iodine deficiency or goiter, thyrotrophin concentrations were in the normal range; however, the free triiodothyronine:free throxine ratio was increased in 97% of them, indicating that the thyroid gland was in a stimulated state. Eur J Endocrinol 2000 Oct;143(4):479-83

Europe Said to Have 900,000 Mental Deficiencies Due to Iodine Deficiency Disease: Urinary iodine excretion in the study ranged from 30 to 170 mcg/L. Researchers conclude that 141 millions of people in Europe were at risk of IDD, 97 millions were affected by goiter and 0.9 millions had an impaired mental development due to iodine deficiency. U Pisa. Iodine deficiency disorders in Europe. Vitti P, Rago T, Aghini-Lombardi F, Pinchera A. Public Health Nutr 2001 Apr;4(2B):529-35

Iodine Excess: Severe iodine deficiency with a median 24-hour urinary iodine excretion of the population below 25 microg needs immediate attention and correction. Less severe iodine deficiency with median urinary iodine excretion below 120 microg per 24 hours is associated with multinodular autonomous growth and function of the thyroid gland leading to goiter and hyperthyroidism in middle aged and elderly subjects. The lower the iodine intake, the earlier and more prominent are the abnormalities. At the other end of the spectrum, severely excessive iodine intake starting at median urinary iodine excretion levels around 800 microg per 24 hours is associated with a higher prevalence of thyroid hypofunction and goiter in children. A number of studies indicate that moderate and mild iodine excess (median urinary iodine >220 microg per 24 hours) are associated with a more frequent occurrence of hypothyroidism, especially in elderly subjects. Denmark. Environmental iodine intake affects the type of nonmalignant thyroid disease. Laurberg P, Bulow Pedersen I, Knudsen N, Ovesen L, Andersen S. Thyroid 2001 May;11(5):457-69

Iodine Can Improve Mental Performance: A DB PC study of 196 children who were moderately to severely iodine deficient in an iodine deficient area were treated for 1 year with iodine tabs vs. placebo. Iodized salt was introduced into the area in the midst of study. Those with low urinary iodine at end did not improve as much as those with raised urinary iodine. Improved iodine status is associated with improved mental performance of schoolchildren in Benin. van den Briel T, West CE, Bleichrodt N, van de Vijver FJ, Ategbo EA, Hautvast JG. Am J Clin Nutr 2000 Nov;72(5):1179-85

Thomas E. Radecki, M.D., J.D.

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