Iodine Global Network (IGN)

UK slips to iodine deficiency: national assessment

Western Europe, North America and Australia had all been thought iodine-sufficient due to widespread use of iodized table salt. While U.S. surveys show marked decline, Australia discovered a significant deficiency several years ago and has mandated use of iodized salt in bread. A new survey of British teens, conducted in 2009, found average intakes barely half the recommended amounts with the authors concluding that "the UK is now iodine-deficient." The report was published in Endocrine Abstracts.

Young women of child-bearing age are the most susceptible to the adverse effects of iodine deficiency. Even mild perturbations of fetal and maternal thyroid function have an impact upon neurodevelopment so these findings are consequently of huge public health importance. These findings indicate an urgent need for a comprehensive investigation of UK iodine status and evidence based recommendations on the need to implement a policy of iodine prophylaxis.