EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of goiter. The body needs iodine to produce thyroid hormone. If you do not have enough iodine in your diet, the thyroid gets larger to try and capture all the iodine it can, so it can make the right amount of thyroid hormone.

Detailed explanation-2: -Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of thyroid disease and, if serious, can cause permanent brain damage and intellectual disability in babies. Iodine is a mineral found naturally in seawater and soil. The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormone in the thyroid gland.

Detailed explanation-3: -It’s true that not having enough iodine (iodine deficiency) can cause hypothyroidism. But iodine deficiency has been rare in the United States and other developed countries since iodine has been added to salt (iodized salt) and other foods.

Detailed explanation-4: -High iodine intakes are well tolerated by most healthy individuals, but in some people, excess iodine intakes may precipitate hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, goiter, and/or thyroid autoimmunity.