Iodine intake and thyroid disease

Iodine is a micronutrient that is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. Either iodine deficiency or excess will not only affect the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormone but also be related to the occurrence and development of thyroid diseases. Iodine deficiency can cause endemic goiter, cretinism, hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer; high incidence of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, autoimmune thyroid disease, goiter, and thyroid cancer are associated with excessive iodine intake. It is essential to assess iodine nutritional status for the populations, particularly those with thyroid diseases. Key words: Iodine intake; Iodine deficiency; Iodine excess; Thyroid disease