Cause 8: Certain Health Conditions
Certain health conditions can increase the risk of iodine deficiency by impairing iodine absorption or utilization. For example, gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or conditions causing malabsorption can reduce the body’s ability to absorb iodine from the diet.
Similarly, autoimmune thyroid disorders, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, can damage the thyroid gland, affecting its ability to use iodine for thyroid hormone synthesis. Certain types of thyroid cancer and surgical removal of the thyroid gland, known as thyroidectomy, can also lead to iodine deficiency, given the gland’s central role in iodine metabolism.
Such conditions necessitate careful monitoring of iodine levels and thyroid function. Depending on the specific health condition and individual patient factors, healthcare providers may recommend dietary adjustments, iodine supplementation, or other interventions to prevent or manage iodine deficiency. (8)
