What are the causes of iodine iodine deficiency?
Since the body does not make iodine, it relies on the diet to have enough iodine. Thus, iodine deficiency is caused but not having enough iodine in the diet. Iodine is present naturally in soil and seawater. The availability of iodine in foods differs in various regions of the world (see Table 1). Individuals in the United States can maintain adequate iodine in their diet by using iodized table salt (unless they have to restrict the amount of salt in their diet), by eating foods high in iodine, particularly dairy products, seafood, meat, some breads, and eggs, and by taking a multivitamin containing iodine (see below). However, the amount of iodine in foods is not listed on food packaging in the U.S., and it can be difficult to identify sources of iodine in foods.
