What’s Happening to Our Iodine?

Abstract

In this issue of JCEM (see page 3401), Hollowell et al. (1A ) report a median urinary iodine excretion of 145 μg/L in a comprehensive survey of the United States population during the years 1988 through 1994. This is a marked decrease from the 321 μg/L in a similar survey two decades before. The findings provoke questions: Why do we need iodine? How much do we need? What happens if we get too little or too much? How much are we actually getting now and is it the right amount? What should we do to get the proper amount in the future? Below, we offer some answers and a general perspective on iodine nutrition. Although addressed to these findings from the United States, the conclusions and recommendations are applicable to other countries as well.