Why does iodine deficiency cause goiter?

The body does not make iodine, so it is an essential part of your diet. Iodine is found in various foods (see Table 1). If you do not have enough iodine in your body, you cannot make enough thyroid hormone. read more

If the body does not have enough iodine to make the two thyroid hormones, T3 and T4 (Thyroid hormone), the person is hypothyroid. Hypothyroidism leads to more release of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland, which will increase tissue production of the thyroid. read more

Iodine deficiency is a lack of the trace element iodine, an essential nutrient in the diet. It may result in a goiter, sometimes as an endemic goiter as well as cretinism due to untreated congenital hypothyroidism, which results in developmental delays and other health problems. read more

Worldwide, iodine deficiency is the most common cause of thyroid enlargement and goiter (see Goiter brochure). Within a goiter, nodules can develop. Patients with a large goiter may experience symptoms of choking, especially when lying down, and difficulty swallowing and breathing. read more