In the past, iodine deficiency is an important public health problem in the world. Iodine is an element needed for the production of thyroid hormone. It can be found in various foods such as breads, cheese, saltwater fish, cow’s milk and seaweed. If people do not take enough iodine, they cannot make enough thyroid hormone. Thus, iodine deficiency can lead to goiter, hypothyroidism and cretinism. Usual signs and symptoms include a visible swelling at the base of your neck, a tight feeling in your throat, cough, hoarseness, fatigue, weakness, weight gain, depression, even neurological impairment. Blood tests of thyroid gland hormone level, the amounts of iodine in urine samples, ultrasonography and thyroid gland scans among a large population may be helpful for the diagnosis of iodine defficiency. Treatments include iodized salt supplement and taking enough food rich in iodine.

Directions to Hospitals Treating iodine deficiency

• Goitre (patient information)
• Congenital hypothyroidism (patient information)
• Cretinism (patient information)

http://www.thyroid.org/patients/patient_brochures/iodine_deficiency.html

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/122714-overview