By: Munisa Rakhmatova Ormon
What are iodine deficiency disorders?
Why are these diseases increasing?
What are the preventive measures for iodine deficiency?
Nowadays, yodine deficiency is becoming a common issue affecting people worldwide. Iodine deficiency disorders refer to the enlargement of the thyroid gland in individuals living in endemic regions where iodine is lacking in the environment. A region is considered endemic if thyroid enlargement of grade I or higher is observed in more than 5% of children and adolescents or in more than 30% of adults.
In healthy adults, the daily requirement for iodine is about 180–280 micrograms. If less than 100 micrograms of iodine is consumed per day, the thyroid gland gradually enlarges in a compensatory manner.
The main consequence of environmental yodine deficiency is the development of goiter. For a long time, it was believed that iodine deficiency in certain regions only led to goiter. However, recent studies show that yodine deficiency can lead to several other health-threatening conditions beyond goiter.
Why are these diseases increasing?
The main reason is the lack of iodine in the environment (soil, water, and food). If soil and water contain sufficient iodine, endemic goiter does not occur.
Other factors contributing to iodine deficiency disorders include long-term consumption of foods poor in proteins and vitamins, infections, intoxications, and deteriorating socio-economic conditions. Modern science has confirmed the importance of these goitrogenic factors in the development of endemic goiter.
Recent studies have shown that insufficient intake of some essential microelements (such as bromine, zinc, cobalt, and copper) and excessive intake of elements like fluoride, chromium, calcium, and manganese can also significantly contribute to the development of endemic goiter.
Certain goitrogenic substances (e.g., perchlorate, thiourea, and thiouracil) in some foods inhibit the conversion of iodide into organic yodine, playing an important role in this condition.
Hereditary factors also play a role, as families with a history of goiter or congenital defects show a higher incidence, according to many researchers.
Preventive Measures for Iodine Deficiency:
Prevention includes a comprehensive set of health measures aimed at improving the social, household, and hygienic conditions of the population. People living in endemic goiter regions – in fact, the entire population of Uzbekistan regardless of the season – should be provided with iodized salt and encouraged to consume foods prepared with iodized salt.
Children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers should take yodine supplements, such as Antistrumin tablets containing 1 mg potassium iodide once or twice a week, or iodine preparations like Iodide-100 to 200 micrograms per dose. Although other iodine-rich foods exist, they are not consumed daily (e.g., one cannot eat 1 kg of dates every day). Therefore, adding inexpensive iodized salt to daily meals is the most optimal solution.
Some people promote bizarre advice like drinking iodine – never do this, as it can disrupt thyroid function and trigger autoimmune processes. Applying yodine to the skin is also not recommended, as it may cause burns, given the individual sensitivity of each person’s skin.
Munisa Rakhmatova Ormon Student of the Medical Treatment program at Alfraganus University
Similar Posts by Mt Kenya Times:
- Mt Kenya Times ePAPER May 20, 2026
- A Review Of The Last White Man In Contemporary Paradigm
- Adan Mohammed named new KRA Commissioner General
- Kenya grinds to a halt as opposition rallies behind fuel protests
- Choromai urges farmers to embrace planting season as he ramps up development message in Kieni constituency
Norman Mwale