How Do You Identify An Iodine Deficiency?
Due to the addition of iodine in table salt, the United States has seen a reduction in medical conditions resulting from iodine deficiencies. Still, some experts predict a rising trend in thyroid problems because of the trend toward the consumption of natural salts and sodium-free diets that totally restrict salt intake. Here’s how to identify an iodine deficiency. Step 1 Feel the front of your neck. The most common symptom of an iodine deficiency is an enlarged thyroid gland, often so swollen it noticeably protrudes. Called a goiter, this swelling occurs routinely in people from geographical areas outside the United States where the soil is iodine-depleted and no alternate source of iodine is available. The goiter may or may not be painful. Step 2 Notice any increased difficulty in swallowing soft foods that you once swallowed easily. In some cases, a swollen goiter protrudes inward, pressing on the esophagus and hindering your ability to swallow. This is a sign that you should see a
