Iodine deficiency occurs when you don’t get enough iodine in

your diet. While rare in the United States, iodine deficiency is a

common condition in developing countries worldwide. People in
areas far from water or at higher altitudes don’t get enough
iodine through seafood or dairy. Iodine Deficiency is diagnosed
when the doctor will do a physical examination and order a urine
test or a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test. If the
results show abnormal levels of TSH, you may have further tests
such as an ultrasound to look at the thyroid gland. In Australia,
newborn babies are routinely given a screening blood test known
as the “heel prick” that will pick up a low thyroid hormone level.
This can be a sign of iodine deficiency or have other causes. If you
have an iodine deficiency, you will probably be referred to a
specialist doctor called an endocrinologist.

Iodine deficiency affects those people who don’t use iodized salt.
More than 10% of the world doesn’t have access to iodized salt.
People who live in regions far from the sea and at higher
altitudes. Their natural environments contain very little iodine.
People who don’t eat fish or dairy, such as vegans. Seafood and
dairy products are some of the greatest sources of iodine. Lastly,
People who are pregnant. Pregnant people need 50% more iodine
than non-pregnant people to get enough iodine for their unborn
baby. It is usually treated through eating more foods containing
iodine, using iodised salt and taking iodine supplements. People
with hypothyroidism are usually treated with a synthetic form of
the thyroid hormone, which they will need to take for the rest of
their lives.